Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) at Texas Health Resources- Fort Worth (THFW) (2025-03 – Present)
Evaluating and solving problems related to collection and/or processing of specimens and maintaining their integrity throughout the testing process.
- Checking outstanding tests list in a timely manner.
- Troubleshooting and following through on outstanding tests which appear to have not been collected/received when expected.
- Using computer downtime procedures as needed when computer is not available.
- Utilizing time between testing to accomplish other needed tasks (evaluation of kits, preparing controls, supply management, housekeeping duties, etc.)
- Training of students, volunteers, new employees and presenting to visitors/observers.
- Attending continuing education sessions (ex. Web seminars, ASCP seminars, Tarleton and Lab sponsored seminars by industry).
- Completes mandatory hospital/laboratory education and departmental competencies and proficiencies within required time frame.
- Keeping health requirements completed within required time frame.
- Completing assigned work within required time and aiding other coworkers.
- Following established laboratory test procedures.
- Communicating and documenting relevant patient data to appropriate personnel while following HIPAA guidelines.
- Relaying information to next shift and coworkers (ex. instrument malfunctions, unusual patient results, testing problems).
- Giving direction and guidance to technical staff and laboratory support personnel.
- Documenting and reviewing QC and ensuring corrective action when appropriate.
- Incorporating safety/infection control measures into work practices.
Microbiologist at Government - Dallas County Health and Human Services / University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) (2022-03 – 2025-03)
Performing/testing samples in a BSL-3 laboratory for select agents/AFB infection with subsequent assays on positive results.
- Participating in proficiency testing using CAP.
- Utilizing LIS (EPIC) to report/release reports.
- Communication with nurses, physician, and medical staff regarding critical results.
- Validation of new assays, equipment and writing of SOPs.
- Responsible for the preventive maintenance and function checks procedures of equipment, as well performing corrective action when necessary.
- Ensures patient specimen stability, proper sample processing and takes appropriate corrective action when errors are detected, or rejections/recollections are required.
- Performs all quality control procedures to ensure validity and analytic performance of test results and troubleshoots according to laboratory protocols.
- Treats all proficiency testing samples according to regulatory agencies' guidelines and laboratory expectations.
- Trains department personnel.
- Performs equipment and assay verifications, validation and equivalencies according to the approved plans.
Medical Laboratory Supervisor III at Southwest Transplant Alliance (2020-12 – 2022-03)
Histology and HLA testing with laboratory operations oversight in high complexity testing lab.
- Histology: cut frozen section biopsies, stain biopsy slides, and upload images for pathologist viewing.
- Follow the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, reporting, and maintaining records of patient test results.
- Perform embedding, microtomy, and staining techniques of patient samples.
- Maintain proficiency and competency in performance for the testing menu of the department.
- Check for predetermined anti-HLA (human leukocyte antigen) antibodies.
- Perform all HLA testing (sequencing, extraction, DNA concentration calculations, and PCR plating).
- Analyze and recognize unusual or atypical results and the urgency in timely reporting of HLA results using both LinkSeq (SureTyper) and Q-type (SCORE 6.2.1.0) Systems.
- Perform validation procedures on new testing platforms and Collect data/ objective evidence for Variance Investigations and implements CAPAs.
- Perform and analyze complex scientific tests on blood and bodily fluids in a high complexity testing lab, including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, microbiology, serology, immunology, immunohematology, point-of-care, and molecular NAT testing (organ donor screening for human cells and tissues, proficiency, environmental, employee, and reference laboratory specimens).
- Follow all operating procedures and perform all maintenance on laboratory equipment.
- Perform routine inspections and internal audits of laboratory processes and activities to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
- Analyzer and instrument troubleshooting, calibrations, and maintenance.
Laboratory Manager– Molecular Laboratory at Arbor Diagnostics (2021-02 – 2022-06)
Overlooking laboratory operations, professional accountability, test procedures, quality control documentation, and safety.
- Planning work schedules and staff assignments for the different laboratory departments.
- Reviewing abnormal results, corrected reports, validations, competency training, correlation studies, and variant reports.
- Checking pending list of assays and meeting turnaround time for release of results.
- Resolving quality control discrepancies before releasing patient results.
- Participating in training of students, volunteers, new employees and visitors.
- Complying with lab accreditations, budgeting guidelines, policies/procedures.
- Trains department personnel.
- Performs equipment and assay verifications, validation and equivalencies according to the approved plans.
- Maintains proficiency and competency.
Medical Laboratory Lead - (Toxicology/Chemistry) at MCI Diagnostics Center (2019-01 – 2021-02)
Evaluate equipment and personnel schedules and quality aspects for accurate testing techniques. Maintain day-to-day activity for all laboratory records, reports, statistical/financial logs, and files to meet the requirements of regulatory agencies: COLA, CAP, CLIA 8, and SAMHSA.
- Perform and evaluate microscopic urine test (manual and automated), dipstick, and urine culture (MacConkey/blood agar).
- Analytical techniques: ELISA, RT-PCR, Metabolic/Chemistry panels using automated instrumentation, Immunoassay (IA), and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) for comprehensive drug panels including: Alcohol; amphetamines; analgesics/NSAIDS; anesthetics (local); anticonvulsants; antidepressants; antihistamines; antipsychotics; barbiturates; benzodiazepines; buprenorphine; cannabinoids (THC); cocaine metabolite; creatinine; fentanyl and analogs; methadone; muscle relaxants; opiates; other hallucinogens; other opioids; oxycodone; sedatives/hypnotics; sympathomimetics; tapentadol; and misc. drugs.
Medical Laboratory Supervisor- Night Shift at IDEXX Laboratories Inc (2012-08 – 2019-01)
Overlook day-to-day activities in a unit/group/area/function/program that received 7800 specimens daily with a TAT of 24 hours.
- Supervising a staff of 37 members; assigning work, monitoring activities, and evaluating performance.
- Participating in employment actions; cross-training staff and providing input to department policies and procedures.
- Utilizing data, metrics, and system tools to ensure efficiency; identifying problems, obstacles, and opportunities and proactively taking action to address issues.
- Contributing to the maintenance of department technology and systems resources.
- Preparing reports and other information summarizing work activities and various analyses as needed to highlight issues and resolve questions.
