The volume and physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics of urine provide a great deal of information about a patient's health. Although invasive collection methods are sometimes necessary, routine urine specimens can be obtained by noninvasive, painless means. Urinalysis is the most common diagnostic test performed in doctors' offices.

You will have a substantial role in collecting, processing, and testing urine specimens. You will need to understand the urinary tract system and the basic characteristics of urine, including how it is formed, its physical composition, its chemical properties, and its microscopic characteristics.

Assisting patients and instructing them in the procedures required to collect different types of specimens are important aspects of your job. You must understand the purposes and procedures for collecting random specimens, first morning specimens, clean-catch midstream specimens, timed specimens, and 24-hour specimens. Throughout all collecting and processing procedures, you must practice quality assurance and employ precautions to avoid spreading disease-causing microorganisms.

When obtaining and processing specimens, you need to follow general guidelines as well as take into account special considerations for specific groups of patients. You are responsible for ensuring that specimens are preserved and stored so that they are not contaminated or otherwise altered.

You may perform some tests on urine and prepare urine specimens for evaluation by the doctor. In either case you must be able to distinguish between normal and abnormal findings concerning the physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics of urine.

Urinalysis provides important information to the doctor. You play a significant role in seeing that the specimen has been properly collected, processed, and tested, so that the information obtained from the analysis is useful and accurate.