Lab / Imaging Technician: quick reference cheat sheet
One-page quick reference with essential actions, status workflow, and safety checks for your lab or imaging day.
Jul 11, 2026
Technician's Essential Actions
| Action | How to do it | Link |
|---|---|---|
| View incoming test orders | From the left menu, click Lab or Imaging. Newest orders first. | Lab · Imaging |
| Open a test order | Click on the order in the queue. Full details appear. | Lab · Imaging |
| Verify patient identity | Check the patient name and date of birth against the specimen label or ID bracelet. | Lab · Imaging |
| Update status to in progress | Click Update Status or Mark as In Progress. | Lab · Imaging |
| Upload a result | After processing, click Upload Result or Attach Result. Select the file and click Save. | Lab · Imaging |
| Validate the upload | Click on the uploaded result to view it. Confirm it's readable (image visible, data complete). | Lab · Imaging |
| Mark test as complete | Click Mark as Complete or Finalize Result. Doctor is notified. | Lab · Imaging |
| Check patient information | Go to Patients. Search by name or ID to view demographics and past tests. | Patients |
| Add notes to a result | When uploading, use the Notes or Comments field to document any issues or context. | Lab · Imaging |
Test Status Workflow
| Status | What it means | Your action |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | Order received; test not yet started. | Click to open and begin processing. |
| In Progress | You are processing the test. | Continue with specimen processing or imaging. When done, upload result. |
| Result Uploaded | Result file is in the system. | Verify it's readable and complete. |
| Completed | Result is finalized and doctor is notified. | Test is closed; move to next order. |
Safety Checklist Before Processing Each Test
| Check | What to verify | Action if issue |
|---|---|---|
| Patient identity match | Name and DOB on the order match the specimen label or ID. | STOP. Do not process. Ask manager to clarify. |
| Specimen integrity | Specimen is properly labeled, intact, and not expired. | STOP. Do not process. Reorder or recapture. |
| Test type clarity | You understand what test the doctor ordered and what result format is expected. | If unclear, ask your manager before processing. |
| Result completeness | All required values/images are captured and readable. | If incomplete, redo the test or recapture the image. |
| Before upload | Result file is the correct format (PDF, DICOM, JPEG, etc.). | Upload in the format your manager expects. |
Key Information at a Glance
| What you need | Where to find it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Test order details | In the test order. Section: Order Info. Shows patient, test type, doctor, clinical indication. | Always read this before processing. |
| Patient demographics | Patient section in the order, or go to Patients list. | Verify against specimen to confirm identity. |
| Clinical indication | In the test order. Section: Clinical Indication. | Tells you why the doctor ordered the test (helps you understand context). |
| Special instructions | In the test order. Section: Notes or Special Instructions. | May include fasting status, positioning, contraindications, etc. |
| Result upload format | Ask your lab/imaging manager before your first day. | Different clinics may want PDF, DICOM, JPEG, spreadsheet, etc. |
| Order status history | In the test order. Shows all status changes and timestamps. | Useful if you need to troubleshoot or review the timeline. |
Common pages and their paths
| Page | Path | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lab | /lab | View and process lab test orders |
| Imaging | /imaging | View and process imaging orders |
| Patients | /patients | Look up patient demographics and history |
| Home/Dashboard | / | Overview of pending tests and recent results |
Before marking a test as complete, verify:
- Patient identity confirmed (name and DOB match specimen/order)
- Specimen integrity verified (properly labeled, intact, not expired)
- Test processed correctly (using correct reagents, settings, or imaging parameters)
- Result is complete (all values/images present and readable)
- Result is accurate (reviewed for obvious errors)
- Result uploaded to system (file is in the system and readable)
- Clinical context noted (any special circumstances documented in notes)
Quick tips
- Always verify patient identity before processing. The single most important safety check.
- Don't process a specimen with unclear or mismatched labels. Stop and ask your manager.
- Check the result format expected by your manager. Different clinics want different formats (PDF, DICOM, JPEG, spreadsheet, etc.). Ask ahead of time.
- Upload results in real time. Don't batch uploads at the end of the day. Upload each result as soon as it's ready.
- Validate every upload. Click on the result after uploading to confirm it's readable (image visible, data complete).
- Add notes for any issues. If a specimen was recollected, a patient moved during imaging, or there was any anomaly, add a note so the doctor understands the context.
- Keep audit trail clear. The system tracks who processed each test and when. This is your safety net if there's ever a question about a result.
- If something seems wrong, ask. If a result is unexpected, a value seems abnormal, or you're unsure, talk to your manager or a senior technician before finalizing.
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