An accessioner, also called a processor, is responsible for processing laboratory samples. They work with other laboratory employees to catalog patient specimens, like blood, urine, or tissue, for analysis. They mostly work with blood. Lab professionals carry out diagnosis and treatment based on the samples received. An accessioner checks a specimen's information, enters it into a record book, and ensures the right department receives the specimen and information. They are also responsible for recording the test results.
Anyone can be an accessioner with a high school diploma. However, advanced degrees and certifications increase your chances of being hired. For example, a clinical laboratory technician needs a postsecondary certificate or an associate's degree. A clinical lab technologist may also require a bachelor's degree. Accessioners work full time and may be required to work extra hours to meet patient needs.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an Accessioner. For example, did you know that they make an average of $18.56 an hour? That's $38,605 a year!
When it comes to the most important skills required to be an Accessioner, we found that a lot of resumes listed 26.9% of Accessioners included Specimen Collection, while 12.9% of resumes included Laboratory Departments, and 10.0% of resumes included Diagnostic Tests. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to performing essential job responsibilities.
If you're interested in becoming an Accessioner, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 36.9% of Accessioners have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 2.7% of Accessioners have master's degrees. Even though some Accessioners have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become an Accessioner. When we researched the most common majors for an Accessioner, we found that they most commonly earn Bachelor's Degree degrees or Associate Degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on Accessioner resumes include High School Diploma degrees or Diploma degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become an Accessioner. In fact, many Accessioner jobs require experience in a role such as Cashier. Meanwhile, many Accessioners also have previous career experience in roles such as Customer Service Representative or Medical Assistant.