Welcome to the training on Specimen Collection provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
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Goal
The goal of this module is to equip Texas Health Steps providers and others to implement requirements and best practices for specimen collection and handling in a clinical office setting.
Target Audience
Texas Health Steps providers and other interested health care professionals.
Specific Learning Objectives
- Apply the requirements of the Texas Health Steps Periodicity Schedule to conduct laboratory screening as part of preventive medical checkups for patients age birth through 20 years.
- Distinguish between Texas Health Steps laboratory tests that must be performed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Laboratory and those that may be processed by a laboratory of the provider’s choice.
- Evaluate common errors that may cause specimens to be rejected for testing or may lead to inaccurate results.
- Specify the blood collection devices and techniques that should be employed for various blood tests for children of different ages.
Please note this module expires on 9/9/2029.
This module was released on 9/9/2026.
Continuing Medical Education
The Texas Department of State Health Services Continuing Education Program is accredited by the Texas Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Texas Department of State Health Services Continuing Education Program designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing Continuing Professional Development
The Texas Department of State Health Services Continuing Education Program is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
The Texas Department of State Health Services Continuing Education Program has designated a maximum of 1.00 contact hours of Nursing Continuing Professional Development.
Social Workers
The Texas Department of State Health Services Continuing Education Program has designated a maximum of 1.00 contact hours for Social Workers.
Certificate of Attendance
The Texas Department of State Health Services Continuing Education Program has designated a maximum of 1.00 hours for attendance.
Successful completion of this continuing education activity includes:
- Participating in 100% of the activity.
- Successful completion of a post-test; must score 75% or higher.
- Completion and submission of participant evaluation.
Commercial Support & Disclosure of Financial Relationships
This event received no commercial support.
The presenters and planning committee for this event have disclosed no financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Non-Endorsement Statement & Off Label Use
Accredited status does not imply endorsement of any commercial products or services by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Medical Association, or American Nurses Credentialing Center.
The presenters did not disclose the use of products for a purpose other than what it had been approved for by the Food and Drug Administration.
Release Date: 9/9/2026
Termination Date: 9/9/2029