What is the role of an Authorized Specimen Collector?

• A. The person authorized to collect specimen from the client to secure and prevent alteration of Urine specimen.
• B. A Supervisor Who Reviews Test Results
• C. A Nurse Who Collects Blood Only
• D. A Person Who Seals the Chain of Custody

Answer: (A)

An Authorized Specimen Collector is the person empowered to gather a urine specimen directly from the donor and to keep it secure so it cannot be altered. The essential duties include verifying the donor’s identity, following proper collection procedures (observed or unobserved as required), and immediately sealing and labeling the specimen to maintain its integrity. This role ensures the sample tested truly comes from the donor and that there is a clear, traceable chain of custody from collection through analysis. That’s why the best choice describes the collector as the person authorized to collect the specimen from the client to secure and prevent alteration of the urine specimen.

Other roles described—such as a supervisor who reviews results, a nurse collecting blood only, or someone who seals the chain of custody—do not capture the full scope of collecting and securing the urine specimen itself.