Ghazala Shaheen

I have 20 years Experience, Master's in Microbiology & I am M(ASCPi) Registered with American Society for Clinical Pathology as an International Technologist in Microbiology also having Professional Classification and Registration by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) as a Specialist Microbiology-Bacteriology in Professional Group Laboratories and Medical Technology.

I am a Seasoned & data-centric Laboratory Technologist, equipped with skills in performing a variety of routine and complex procedures using established criteria to provide quality clinical information and verifying analytic accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and linearity for test methods. A maven, known for assisting with the processing of micro specimens, replenishing the testing bench supplies, and documenting preventive maintenance and quality control procedures. Possess comprehensive working knowledge of the theory, systems, methodologies, and equipment for the tests or procedures of the assigned laboratory discipline: Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Serology/ Immunology, Susceptibility Testing (MIC) 5-Sample processing Bench 6-Urinalysis, Food, Water and Environmental Bacteriology and Media preparation.

Well-versed with the ASM and CLSI/ QC & QA standards of clinical laboratories.

-Leads the coordination of activities across multiple areas to facilitate a smooth, integrated, and efficient workflow

-Collaborate with the Supervisor, Medical/Scientific leads, QAO, and Technical Team, to actively promote and achieve the goals and objectives for microbiology

-Participates in establishing new policies, and procedures; cooperates with other lab divisions and/or individuals within and external to the hospital to achieve common objectives and maintain a positive image of the laboratory and hospital

-Oversees the technical activities/projects of microbiology, and provides expert technical input reviews/reviews protocols for test validation and implementation in microbiology.

• Conducted a bacteriological culture and sensitivity test on pus, wounds, tissues, CSF, body fluids, blood, urine, stool, and urogenital and respiratory specimens as necessary
• Worked as blood culture in charge on blood culture bench; assessed the Mycobacterium tuberculosis microscopy and drug susceptibility tests and timely reporting of laboratory results.
• Maintained laboratory equipment/instruments and work areas in accordance with quality control standards
• Implemented safety policies in compliance with JCIA and CAP guidelines and managed the department's inventory and ordering of supplies in accordance with JCIA and CAP guidelines; eliminated accident risks
• Provided a safe working environment by following safety standards in accordance with the safety manual every day; maintained close observation during audits, and environmental rounds, and ensured safety policies were followed by staff
• Assured staff participation in safety lectures/training, conducted a monthly safety quiz, recorded attendance in safety sessions, and achieved the required benchmarks
• Identified CAP survey specimens for external quality assessment and processed all tasks using ILMS, the laboratory computer program; assisted in the training of junior staff and the department's continuing medical education (CME) activities.
• Prepared manuals for SOPs for clinical microbiology laboratories as part of the accreditation process for CAP (College of American Pathologists). In 2017, the Aga Khan Hospital Laboratory became the first and only laboratory in Pakistan to be accredited by the CAP
• Supervised junior and trainee technologists for routine bacteriology bench skills and led the junior technologist’s competency assessment as a part of CAP training.
• Conducted thorough laboratory tests, stored chemical and biological materials properly, and accurately recorded results; maintained strict laboratory hygiene guidelines and practices to prevent specimen contamination
• Delivered lectures on blood culture collection methods to lower the rate of blood culture contamination at various collection point units.

Master of Science in Microbiology | Microbiology, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi,Pakistan