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🧪Specimen Types & Special Tests

What types of specimens can a mobile phlebotomist collect?

Mobile phlebotomists are trained to collect a range of biological specimens, not just blood:

Blood (venipuncture):

The most common collection. Blood is drawn from a vein (usually in the inner arm/elbow) into multiple colored tubes, each with specific additives for different tests.

Blood (capillary / finger stick):

Small volume blood collection from a finger prick. Used for glucose monitoring, hemoglobin, some lipid panels, and pediatric draws where small volumes suffice.

Urine:

  • Random urine sample (any time)
  • Clean-catch midstream (for cultures)
  • Timed collections (e.g., 24-hour urine)
  • Chain-of-custody (for drug testing)

    • Saliva / oral fluid:

  • Buccal swabs for DNA/genetic testing
  • Oral fluid drug testing
  • Some infectious disease screening

    • Nasal / nasopharyngeal swabs:

  • Respiratory panels (COVID-19, influenza, RSV)
  • Strep throat cultures (with appropriate training)

    • Other:

  • Wound swabs
  • Throat cultures
  • Hair follicle specimens (for extended drug testing)
  • Stool samples (patient self-collection with instruction)

    • Not typically collected by mobile phlebotomists:

  • CSF (cerebrospinal fluid — requires physician procedures)
  • Bone marrow (physician/NP procedure)
  • Tissue biopsy specimens
    • Can mobile phlebotomy be used for INR/warfarin monitoring?

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