Archive for category: Clinical Laboratory Science
From patient care associate to a clinical laboratory technician, discover a new career path at Northwell Health
Are you looking to grow into a career in clinical laboratory? At Northwell, our team members can advance their careers, both clinical and non-clinical, through various personal and professional development programs, including educational opportunities through our Center for Learning and Innovation, mentorships, Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs) and more.
Below, you can explore one of the many ways you can grow from a patient care associate to a clinical laboratory assistant to a clinical laboratory technician. For the complete job profiles of each role, we invite you to visit NorthwellCareers.com or click the link below to get started on this career journey as a patient care assistant and discover a career well cared for at Northwell today.
View our available patient care associate roles today.
Patient Care Associate
Patient care associates provide direct care as assigned for a designated group of patients. These team members perform functions requiring skill and competence such as, but not limited to phlebotomy, EKG, obtaining specimens and cultures, activities of daily living and simple wound dressings and vital signs. They also share accountability for quality patient outcomes.
- Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Requires one (1) to three (3) years of relevant experience.
As you move along your career path from a patient care associate, you can grow into a clinical laboratory assistant by pursuing various paths, such as working toward an associate or bachelor’s degree in laboratory technology, a science degree, or relevant certifications. An associate degree in laboratory technology will allow you to work toward obtaining a license to practice as a clinical laboratory technician or histology technician in New York State. You can also receive tuition reimbursement while you continue your education.
Clinical Laboratory Assistant
Clinical laboratory assistants process reference testing specimens and facilitate their submission to various external reference laboratories. They also ensure external receipt of specimens and return receipt of test results.
- Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Requires up to one (1) year of relevant experience.
As you transition from a clinical laboratory assistant to a clinical laboratory technician, you will continue advancing your laboratory skills, gaining expertise in diagnostic testing, lab procedures, and technology. This can also open doors to other roles within the lab environment, such as a specialized technician position in histology. Additionally, you may choose to further your education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, which can lead to technologist roles, management, quality control, or education roles within the healthcare system. This path provides a range of opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
Clinical Laboratory Technician
Clinical laboratory technicians perform clinical laboratory procedures and examinations pursuant to established, approved protocols which require limited independent judgment and review. These team members perform routine cutting and staining of surgical specimens, frozen sections and special stains. They may also provide daily operational assistance to department leadership and provide clinical and operational guidance to support staff.
- Requires an associate’s degree.
- Requires current license to practice as a clinical laboratory technician or histological technician in New York State, plus specialized certifications as needed.
- Requires up to one (1) year of technical experience.
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Take your first step toward a Truly Innovative clinical laboratory science career at Northwell Health
Want to start a career helping our physicians make informed decisions by providing critical information? Northwell has a variety of clinical laboratory science opportunities available across our health system to help you kickstart your career. Candidates with a high school diploma can explore exciting careers in clinical laboratory sciences that require some certification and/or previous work experience.
Northwell is committed to ensuring our Truly Innovative laboratory team members have the best career experience while empowering career growth and development within our organization to help everyone reach their goals. We offer a career framework with roles structured into clear career paths, and a GROW model that enables managers and team members to discuss career aspirations openly.
Below, you will find some of the clinical laboratory science career opportunities Northwell has to offer that only require a high school diploma and either a certification and/or training program experience.
Take the first step toward a rewarding career at Northwell Health. Check out our clinical laboratory science positions across our health system.
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Have you ever considered exploring the night shift?
At Northwell Health, working night shifts has a variety of benefits from having the flexibility in your schedule for childcare and family to pay differential. As PEOPLE’s top 100 Companies that Care, Northwell provides many night shift opportunities in nursing, nursing support, respiratory therapists, clinical labs, ACPs, imaging and more. Learn more about our top reasons below and discover a career well cared for at Northwell Health.
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Clinical Laboratory Careers at Northwell Health, Raise Your Career Expectations
Clinical laboratory science careers at Northwell Health provide opportunities so you can learn, grow and raise your career expectations in a field where you can impact the community by providing important medical information for healthcare decisions. Whether your career journey is just starting out, you’re advancing along your journey, or you’ve begun to explore a new direction, Northwell has the resources to support and guide you on your path.
Below, you will find information on one of the many career paths for a laboratory technologist. For the complete job profile of each role, we invite you to visit NorthwellCareers.com, or click on the link below to discover a career well cared for with our team. There are many ways to grow in a clinical laboratory position outside of this path as well, from quality to education and more.
Check out our open clinical laboratory science positions here.
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Start your career in clinical laboratory science at Northwell Health
Interested in beginning a new career journey in clinical laboratory science? Northwell Health has a variety of entry-level clinical laboratory opportunities for those who are looking to take their first steps toward a new career. At Northwell, we encourage and empower our team members to grow and develop in their career through a variety of ways, including tuition reimbursement, Northwell’s Center for Learning & Innovation (CLI), mentorship programs and other professional development opportunities.
Below, you will find information about some of the clinical laboratory career opportunities Northwell offers that require a high school diploma or equivalent, or a certification. Begin your career journey today and discover a career well cared for at Northwell Health.
Check out our open clinical laboratory positions across Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island and Westchester here.
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Top Five Reasons to Work Night Shifts at Northwell Health
At Northwell Health, working night shifts has several benefits from having the flexibility in your schedule for child care and family to pay differential. As a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, Northwell provides many night shift opportunities in nursing, nursing support, respiratory therapists, clinical labs, ACPs and more. Learn more about our top reasons below, and begin your journey to a career well cared for at Northwell Health.
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Clinical Laboratory Careers at Northwell Health, Raise Your Career Expectations
Clinical laboratory science careers at Northwell Health provide opportunities so you can learn, grow and raise your career expectations in a field where you can impact the community by providing important medical information for healthcare decisions. Whether your career journey is just starting out, you’re advancing along your journey, or you’ve begun to explore a new direction, Northwell has the resources to support and guide you on your path.
Below, you will find information on one of the many career paths for a laboratory technologist. For the complete job profile of each role, we invite you to visit NorthwellCareers.com, or click on the link below to discover a career well cared for with our team. There are many ways to grow in a clinical laboratory position outside of this path as well, from quality to education and more.
Check out our open clinical laboratory science positions here.
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Raise your Career Expectations with these Top Reasons to Work Night Shifts at Northwell Health
Working night shifts at Northwell Health comes along with several benefits that can make a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing. As a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, Northwell offers career growth opportunities that are easily attainable to night shift professionals in labs and nursing roles. Check out our top reasons below, and jump start your journey to a career well cared for.
Check out our available positions in Labs, Nursing, and Nursing Support.
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Get to know our team members behind the scenes during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week
This week Northwell Health is celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week! Our Medical Laboratory professionals play a vital role within our organization by providing crucial information for detecting, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring a patient’s disease. They are our healthcare heroes behind the scenes!
Meet some of our team members:
Ryan Brenkret, Lead Cytology Technologist, Anatomic Pathology Services, Division of Cytology
Working as a lead cytology technologist, Ryan’s primary role is to screen and diagnose cytology cases using a light microscope to look mainly for cancer, infectious diseases, as well as other inflammatory conditions which people may suffer from. “My favorite thing about my career is trying to figure out what the patient has and provide a quality diagnosis, says Ryan. “We as cytologists really have the power to help the patients by providing accurate diagnoses or also by detecting a patient’s cancer in the early stage. Then they can receive the proper, life-saving treatments.”
Daisey Williams, Pathology Histology Technician, Staten Island University Hospital North
As a histology technician Daisey plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, by turning tissue samples into microscopic slides. Leadership has been a constant role model and support system for Daisey where she can voice her opinions and ideas. “My favorite part of this field is knowing that my work can provide our patients with a diagnosis and aide in their treatment and their next steps to recovery,” says Daisey.
Sean Houston, Clinical Lab Technologist, Automated Lab
As a lab technologist, Sean is responsible for running general immunoassay chemistry and drugs of abuse testing on the state-of-the-art, automated Roche line. Sean is within his first year at Northwell and he is looking forward to continuous growth within the organization and laboratory field. His favorite thing about working as a lab technologist? “I enjoy working alongside my diverse and well-skilled team!”
Christina Mikell, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Histology, Plainview Hospital
In Christina’s role, she aides in the processing of surgical tissue specimens. This is where they would chemically preserve the tissue so that they can then embed, cut, and stain representative sections on microscope slides. Within her role, she also performs specialty stains on slides that can help identify certain diseases and/or infections. As a new graduate, Christina has learned many skills within the pathology lab that will help her grow in her career. “My favorite thing about working as a lab tech in the histology department is the hands-on creative work that we get to perform every day,” says Christina. “I am able to take my technical knowledge and create something that can really be seen as beautiful.”
Michael Desimone, Histology Pathology Assistant, North Shore University Hospital
Working as a pathologist assistant, Michael partakes in high-quality patient care primarily through macroscopic evaluation, examination, and dissection of all surgical pathological specimens that come through the lab. Apart of being a pathologist assistant, Michael has enjoyed growing as an educator for pathology residents, pathologist assistant students, and medical technologist students. “We’re able to bring a pathologic process that a student once learned in a classroom and connect it with a real-life patient and specimen, with real implications for care,” says Michael. “I take a particular pride in teaching students and residents important details in macroscopic examination that make a large difference for cancer staging.”
Alexa Duque, Anatomical, Pathology Assistant, Lenox Hill Hospital
As a pathologist assistant, Alexa facilitates the diagnostic process by providing a comprehensive macroscopic examination and evaluation of all surgical pathological specimens. Alexa started her Northwell career journey two years ago and has grown into her role by supporting the lab in different areas. One example includes assisting her supervisor with process improvements which allowed her to gain new skills and insight. “I love that it is primarily hands on and that I get to appreciate the fascinating anatomy of the human body while being able to help patients behind the scenes,” says Alexa.
Roby P. Raju, Supervisor, Clinical Laboratory Operations, Center for Advanced Medicine
As a supervisor in his role, Roby oversees the day-to-day laboratory operations for his team. He ensures the laboratory maintains and follows compliance standards and regulations set by both accrediting and government agencies. “My favorite thing about being a laboratory technologist is that I am proud of the results we provide to the physicians and nurses from our laboratory,” says Roby.
Became a Health Raiser and discover a career well cared for, explore clinical laboratory careers. Apply today!
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Why our Phlebotomists love working at Northwell Health
Phlebotomists at Northwell Health play an important role by collecting blood samples from our patients. These blood samples can help identify a patient’s diagnosis and ultimately help doctors create a treatment plan for them. In February we are celebrating National Phlebotomists Recognition Week and we are proud to recognize the hard work and compassionate care that our phlebotomists deliver every day.
Meet some of our team members and learn why they love being a phlebotomist at Northwell:
Luz Puig, Phlebotomist, Glen Cove Hospital
“My favorite thing about being a phlebotomist at Northwell is meeting patients and learning from their life experiences. I truly enjoy when they share their stories and I have a desire to make them feel comfortable and loved. During these hard times of COVID, my heart breaks to know many of the patients are alone during this process. I believe my role plays an important part in the healing of each patient as it is the start of a treatment for our community members.”
Glenna McKenzie, Phlebotomist, Syosset Hospital
“I have been a phlebotomist at Syosset Hospital for 35 years. I love being with our patients and doing my best to get their blood drawn quickly and painlessly. I love interacting with them and being able to get to know them. We understand that being ill and being in the hospital is not a high point for our patients, so I try my very best to make our patients feel better about their experience at our hospital.”
Michelle Lyn Sambajon, Lead Phlebotomist, Northwell Health Labs
“I oversee the COVID collection site for pre-procedure and pre-surgical testing. My favorite thing about working as a phlebotomist is that I enjoy being out there and helping people from their COVID test to bloodwork. Being a Phlebotomist is a rewarding opportunity to give back and help the community. It is the best feeling knowing that you’re one of the frontline team members to become a part of a person’s diagnostic treatment.”
Amanda Salerno, Mobile Phlebotomy, Northwell Health Labs and LabFly
“I provide mobile services to patients to their personal residence for bloodwork and COVID swabs. The best part of my job is making people laugh and providing compassionate care. Anything to make someone’s heart feel a little lighter when I leave makes me happy. I go into every home the same, a smile, laughter, enlightenment when needed, compassion and with comfort in the experience I provide for them. A little goes a long way.”
Maria L. Pizarro, Phlebotomist, Glen Cove Hospital
“I’ve worked at Glen Cove Hospital for 14 years as a phlebotomist. My job consists of drawing blood samples from in-patients. Patients are my priority and I really love what I do for the organization and working with my team.”
Discover a career well cared for as a phlebotomist at Northwell Health. Apply today!
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What you didn’t know about Cytology and why you should consider it as a laboratory science career
When it comes to how patients are diagnosed, cytology plays a huge role. At Northwell Health, laboratory technologists and technicians who work in our state-of-the-art laboratories are very instrumental in our success. They are responsible for preparing cytology specimens for microscopic evaluation by Cytotechnologists and Cytopathologists in detecting infections, premalignant and malignant conditions.
So, in preparing for a laboratory career in Cytology, what should you know? Here’s a shortlist of what you can expect your responsibilities would be:
- Preparing slides from patient samples for examination.
- Evaluate the quality slides for microscopic review.
- Working closely with Cytotechnologists and Cytopathologists.
- Using the latest and most innovative instruments and technology like Cytospin, Centrifuges, Hologic T2000, Hologic T5000, Automatic stainers, Automatic coverslippers, Slide printing and Hologic Imagers to deliver results that make a difference.
- Processing specimens, particularly for patient clinical care and research.
- Upholding the highest quality of care to the community you serve.
- Collaborating with a talented team of ambitious individuals like you!
Choosing to go into this profession could be life-changing, not only for you but also for the patients you help so they receive the treatment they need to be in better health. As a Cytopathology lab technician, Diane Wieczorek, stated, “It’s a very rewarding experience since you know you are helping with a patient’s diagnosis and life. If I had to do it over again I wouldn’t change a thing, and as a lab technician that’s an achievement to myself.”
Explore Cytology laboratory careers at Northwell by visiting here.
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Faces of Oncology Care: Clinical Laboratory
Clinical laboratories, like those you’ll find at Monter Cancer Center and our Imbert Cancer Center, serve a crucial role in the assessment and treatment of oncology patients. Our laboratories work together to deliver precise, accurate test results to ensure patients get the right treatment.
Meet some of the members of our oncology clinical laboratory team who are making a difference at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, where we provide cancer care to more New Yorkers than any other healthcare provider.
La Donna’s decade of lab experience has provided a lot of insight into how a laboratory technologist can work collaboratively with the entire care team. Her peers and colleagues at Northwell share a remarkable commitment to excellence in patient care and patient experience.
La Donna was initially drawn to oncology lab work because of the pace and the emphasis on accuracy and precision. And at Northwell, she’s convinced that our commitment to emerging diagnostic technologies will keep her skills sharp while allowing her to actually contribute to the innovation taking place.
However, the greatest reward for La Donna is her sense of fulfillment and impact on the lives of others: “Your work makes a remarkable difference in patient care for one of the most vulnerable patient populations. Even though lab technologists are mostly unseen, I know that I’m a big part of each patient’s visit.”
Yolanda came to Northwell with more than two decades of lab technology experience. She was drawn to the Hematology/Oncology Department at Monter Cancer Center because she was attracted to the commitment and excellence that the department provides.
Delivering results for patients in oncology lab requires speed, precision and accuracy. “Workflow starts with the lab results. Without the baseline results, doctors cannot diagnose; pharmacists cannot prepare the dose for chemo treatment; nurses will be awaiting instructions; and patient treatments will be delayed.”
Innovation is key to deliver the best quality of care and Yolanda believes that Monter’s newly acquired automated analyzers expedite testing times and lead to fast results for patients. It’s a perfect match between resources and culture. “It’s fulfilling when a patient’s lab result shows progress after receiving treatments. It gives such satisfaction knowing that I’m a part of their healing process while working behind the scenes.”
Since she joined Northwell Health in June 2017, Esperanza has found countless opportunities to pursue her career interests and focus on the science of the human disease processes. This passion drew her to the medical laboratory technologist role and has fueled her appreciation of the challenges she experiences at the Imbert Cancer Center.
Here her knowledge, skill sets and love of the science fit right in with Imbert’s unique mission and culture. “I love it here. It’s caring, professional, relaxing and great a place to come daily. The contribution each one of us makes creates a mountain of knowledge and significant difference impacting the care and treatment of patients.”
As the lead technologist within her department, Esperanza also mentors staff and collaborates with team members throughout the system. “Every day renews my professional commitment and intense compassion for our patients in support of an extremely caring and innovative, institution of Northwell Health.”
Peter joined Northwell in December 2016 at Long Island Jewish Medical Center as a supervisor in the hematology laboratory. He transferred to Imbert Cancer Center in April 2019 because he was drawn to oncology care and the ability to impact cancer patients directly. Compared to other employers, Northwell stands out in Peter’s mind because “they care more about the patients and their issues. They also treat the employees with respect, and admire our diversity.”
Hired as an oncology lab manager, Peter appreciates the fact that the facility is close-knit and personal. This provides him with the opportunity to help out with the practice side, the treatment side and the laboratory. He can see and experience how each section of our facility comes together to do what’s right for the patient.
“My favorite aspect of my job is greeting the patients each and every day and to personally see how they are doing. It’s also working with a great team that has the same caring attributes that I do.”
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Explore clinical laboratory careers at Northwell Health
Clinical Laboratory Careers at Northwell’s Automated Lab
Watch the video below to discover why our laboratory technologists love working in our innovative automated laboratory; home of the largest Roche automated line of its kind in the U.S. and one of the largest labs in the world.
Northwell’s Brand-New Automated Clinical Laboratory
Take a tour of Northwell’s brand-new automated lab in Lake Success, NY. The 101,000 square-foot facility has 84,000 square feet of clinical space, including the largest chemistry and hematology automated line of its kind in North America.
Clinical Laboratory Careers in Microbiology
Hear from Ebru, a clinical laboratory technologist, about working at the brand new Microbiology Laboratory at Northwell Health Labs in the video below.
Northwell’s Brand-New Microbiology Laboratory
Tour our brand new Microbiology lab in Little Neck, NY which primarily performs microbiology tests, including molecular diagnostics, from local hospitals, clinics and physician offices, incorporating the latest technology and advanced robotic testing systems.
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2019 President’s Award Finalists: Teamwork
Each year, Northwell’s President’s Awards recognize team members who not only surpass our expectations and standards of excellence, but also those who drive innovative business outcomes.
The Teamwork award recognizes a team who is flexible, hardworking and made for unwavering support. They successfully collaborate to improve quality, financial performance and/or patient-centric care by leveraging and embracing diversity while creating a feeling of belonging. Meet this year’s finalists.
Deliver the Vote
Lenox Hill Hospital
A pair of nurses with a strong commitment to upholding the right to vote, and an amazing determination not to take no for an answer enabled dozens of hospitalized patients to participate in the American electoral system.
Their efforts began two years ago when a patient inquired about voting but at that point, they were unable to help. Ahead of the 2018 election, Lisa Schavrien and Erin Smith decided to be pro-active, exploring ways to help their patients be heard at the ballot box. Their inquiries led them to a series of rejections by boards of elections, non-responses from political offices and a trip to a courtroom in Queens.
With the help from other volunteers, they canvassed their hospital for patients who wanted to vote. In one room, a patient facing brain surgery managed to cast her vote before surgery; in another, a patient’s partner was unable to get a ballot for the patient because they weren’t married, but Lisa obtained a ballot for him.
Voting may not seem like an issue clinical team members need to tackle, and they could find no other hospital making the same effort, but thanks to this team that went above and beyond, 75 Northwell patients were able to cast their ballots.
ECMO-TO-GO
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, North Shore University Hospital, Southside Hospital
Made up of a team of well-honed specialists, ECMO-TO-GO takes its life-saving skills wherever they are needed, elevating the level of care available to seriously ill patients. The team develops its successes with the cardiopulmonary bypass technique through continuity of communication and care delivered by all team members, commitment to continuous improvement and the depth of care provided by experts from across Northwell. The innovative approach of the team traveling to the patient rather than the other way around means a highly qualified, seasoned team is available to the sickest of patients. With a mortality rate of about 50 percent in these kinds of patients, the concept of such a team grew out of the establishment of an acute lung injury program at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and the launch of a heart transplant program. Northwell physicians recognized the need to provide stable, quality care as quickly as possible, leading to the ECMOTO- GO program.
The strength of the group comes from their ability to harness their differences in expertise to meet the dire needs of a complicated patient population. They do so with seamless coordination, deep compassion, and deliberate communication ultimately forging something stronger than any individual person.
Food as Health Implementation Team
Long Island Jewish Valley Stream
Team members have put reliable access to food at the center of a pioneering effort to improve the health of their patients. After people in multiple departments recognized that some patients had trouble finding affordable, nutritious food when they returned home, a team came together to brainstorm some solutions. Their conclusions: provide discharged patients with the resources to find affordable foods and to prepare meals that would help restore them to health.
The Food as Health (FAH) Program screens patients from the outpatient wound care center, and one inpatient unit for food insecurity. Patients in need with nutrition-related conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, unintentional weight loss) are referred to the appropriate FAH service arm for support. Patients who are mobile and able to cook for themselves are referred to the FAH hospital-based onsite resource center. The patient is provided two days’ worth of nutritious emergency food, nutrition education and counseling, and referrals to community resources.
The collaborative effort of the multidisciplinary workgroup to identify clinical partners, establish workflows, reports and outcomes is a significant reason for the successful implementation of the FAH program. The team continues to work together to identify the outcome measures and establish reporting to demonstrate improvement in patient outcomes and hospital data such as decreased readmissions.
Inpatient Charge Capture (IPCC)
Corporate, Revenue Cycle Operations, Medical Group
When a small group of data-savvy professionals began examining the question of whether Northwell was billing and collecting for every professional service provided in hospitals, it quickly became clear that they needed more expertise.
The question of revenue capture is a long-standing one and quantifying it and executing a process across the health system was huge challenge. The team grew to involve several Information Services disciplines and data experts and as it grew, so did the project. Instead of finding a basic report on where to find the revenue opportunities, the team produced much more. They came up with a real-time, web-based tool that allows service lines and/ or individuals to know what the missing billing opportunities are daily/weekly/monthly. It allows the user to filter by service line, hospital, provider and unit. The tool is easy to navigate and provides a weekly “subscription” service for providers.
The deep dive in the collaborative effort also identified a $10 million revenue opportunity for Northwell, the result of experts collaborating and using their own areas of expertise to produce a positive outcome.
Northwell Transfusion Medicine
Northwell Health Labs
A team of professionals collaborated to take on the challenge of ensuring Northwell hospitals maintained fresh and adequate supply of platelets to cope with both routine and emergency use. Maintaining a blood product supply is essential to optimal patient care, but daily usage can be difficult to forecast. Platelets, expensive to produce, test and store, have a short shelf life and frequently expire before they can be used.
This team’s bold solution to meeting the need and reducing costly waste was to develop a delivery system that moves blood products throughout the health system, with many ultimately winding up at the hospitals that routinely need them the most. Breaking away from the existing system, the team began with data, figuring out a system to outline a new distribution process. That birthed a “Round Robin” transportation system to reduce supplemental and emergency deliveries. The concept of rotating platelets from the community hospitals to the final destination of one of two tertiary hospitals is based on usage. Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital combined utilize as many as 50 units a day for Cardiac, Trauma, Surgical, Oncology and Transplant services. Through extensive monitoring and trending of patient platelet needs, a dramatic savings of more than $200,000 was realized in 2018 in expiration waste.
School-Based Vocational Services
South Oaks Hospital
A committed group of professionals provides students challenged by intellectual and developmental disabilities with services that are tailored to individuals from 27 school districts across Long Island. Students receive coachin g, job readiness training and social skills development in both a classroom and professional setting with more than 100 participating companies with the goal of promoting independence and developing skills to prepare these young adults to enter the workforce after graduation.
The collaboration of these team members led to 64% of the graduating students finding employment post-graduation. On a daily basis, this team manages to touch the lives of more than 200 youths and parents, on Long Island. Nearly all of the team members work remotely and are required to travel throughout their day to meet the needs of the various sites they are working to serve.
The team has been able to create new approaches to learning in school settings by implementing in-school businesses where students can improve work readiness skills. Through personal dedication and putting creativity to work, they are making big differences in the lives of these students.
The Fin
Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
Experts with a diverse set of skills devised and conducted the first pilot clinical trial of the Fin, a novel 3D-printed swim prosthesis designed for use in a recreational pool setting. The dedicated group was seeking ways to improve recreational opportunities for people with lower-limb amputations, who, according to studies, are less likely to participate in physical activity than the general population.
Often working on their own time, they established protocols to ensure a thorough test that respected each individual’s dignity and needs while examining all aspects of the prosthesis. The most common design for a swim prosthesis has a fixed angle foot (“ankle foot”) that is at 90 degrees with the floor, which, while it is easy to use in the water, is not useful when walking over ground or transitioning into and out of the water. The 3-D printing also significantly lowers the typical cost of the prosthesis.
All participants in the test found the prosthesis easy to put on and take off. The majority (71%) of participants reported being extremely satisfied with the prosthesis.
Every member of the multidisciplinary team brought to the project their passion for wanting to improve the quality of life, participation and inclusion for individuals with lower limb amputations.
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Day in the life: A specimen and the laboratory professionals who help diagnose outcomes at Core Lab
When you get blood drawn, there are a number of professionals who interact with your specimen to get the results necessary for continuing your care. From the phlebotomist who draws your blood to the clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) who analyzes your result, clinical laboratory professionals are the backbone of helping doctors to diagnose illness.
Northwell’s new state-of-the-art Core Lab performs 20 million routine tests that Northwell performs annually within our laboratories and hospitals. Spanning 101,000 square-feet, it’s the largest health system-based lab in the region and the largest Roche chemistry and hematology line of its kind in North America.
We followed the route a specimen takes and met with the lab team members who play a vital role in the outcomes.
The Phlebotomist draws the specimen
Before any testing can occur, the specimen needs to be collected. Northwell’s phlebotomists meet with patients to draw their blood at the beginning of their care. “It’s the first step for everything medical,” says Bulah Martin, lead phlebotomist who has worked at Northwell for more than 10 years. Once the blood has been drawn, phlebotomists like Bulah let it clot before placing it in the centrifuge, scanning it in the system, and preparing it for transport. From there it’ll head to Core Lab for routine testing like abnormal cell screens and white blood cell counts.
The Transporter moves the specimen
After the blood is taken, the specimen has to travel from one of Northwell’s centers to our Core Lab. That’s where staff professionals who are transporters come in. Picking up the samples, they’re able to make sure that the specimens are delivered in a timely and safe manner. “It goes beyond driving and transporting specimens,” says Gavendra Kuarlall, route service representative, “we’re part of helping patients at the onset of their medical needs.”
Lab Accessioner processes the specimen
Now that the specimen has been delivered, it’s time for processing. Lab accessioners have the important job of entering the specimen’s information, verifying the information to ensure accuracy, and sorting it into the right department. “Making sure the samples are correct and accurate impacts the patient care,” says Claudia Coronado, a senior accessioner who has worked at Northwell for more than 11 years, “and we take pride in what we do.”
Once the specimen has been processed and sorted, runners get the specimens where they need to go. A runner at the Core Lab, however, won’t have much need to actually run. This state-of-the-art facility has two parallel automatic testing lines to efficiently transport specimens for the laboratory’s chemistry and hematology testing.
Clinical Laboratory Scientists analyze the specimen
Advanced robotics testing systems and automatic testing lines within departments like Hematology allow clinical laboratory scientists to focus on monitoring accuracy and quality. “I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field using my scientific knowledge,” says Kelly Kim, a technical specialist in Hematology, Coagulation and Analysis. “This field is perfect for putting both together.”
Blood Bank Technologists analyze the specimen
Certain testing may require interaction with a blood bank technologist, like Trisha Jaikaran, who tests the sample for blood type, blood screens, and antibody screens. At the Core Lab, they test mainly the OB-GYN patient population and work with the doctors and Client Services to deliver patients their results.
“Being part of the Core Lab, you have the opportunity to learn about the other side of patient care,” says Trisha who has worked at Northwell for nearly three years, “The knowledge you gain from the more experienced technologists is great. There’s a lot of theoretical work beyond just the automated tests – you’re learning something new every day. It keeps you on your toes.”
Lab Client Services team provides specimen testing updates
When the specimen is done with testing, it’s time for the patients to get their results. That’s where Client Services come in. This team acts as a liaison between the clinical laboratory and the doctors. Handling around 2,000 inbound calls a day, Client Services helps doctors who are looking for results, status updates, pick-ups, or additional information. Suzana Mathew, an educator who has worked in Client Services for six years, likens it to being a detective, “There can be a lot of mystery solving to get the right answers for the doctors. I enjoy the technical side where I can help doctors understand their results, track down the answers they need and assist with next steps.”
As an educator, Suzana works with new employees through their six months of training and offers support beyond that period. “Working in Client Services is a great place to start because as you grow, you learn about every part of the lab. It trains you to be a well-rounded professional.”
While getting blood results may seem simple, there are a lot of clinical laboratory team members working behind the scenes to ensure results are delivered accurately, timely, and safely. From sample to results, our laboratory professionals work together to deliver the best patient care possible.
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Day in the life: Lab Technologist at Southside Hospital
Working as a laboratory technologist at Southside Hospital for 40 years, Emilie Moyse considers herself part of the evolution of lab. Emilie, or as her coworkers affectionately call her, Emmy, works 8am-4pm at Southside every Monday through Friday where her expertise and positive attitude have made her a staple to the clinical laboratory team.
To keep their skills sharp, Southside’s lab technologists rotate through the different departments on a weekly basis. This week, Emmy is working in Hematology where she’ll analyze blood samples and deliver lab results that will help doctors determine patient care. We followed her to see a day in a life as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) also known as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) at Southside Hospital.
Arriving to the lab, Emmy likes to start each day by greeting each of her coworkers to set the mood for a good day. After putting on her lab coat, Emmy’s ready for the morning rounds.
Morning rounds for our doctors mean morning rounds for our lab! Specimens come in and are received by lab processors like Michelle Zambrano. Michelle processes and distributes the specimens from the floor and operating room to the laboratory technologists in different departments, such as Emmy in Hematology.
Differential slide means Emmy uses the microscope to identify white and red blood cell counts to help doctors deliver the right diagnoses to patients. “I love working in Hematology and learning more and more. It’s very manual and detail-oriented. I get excited to come to work and help the patients. I get to make sure the patients aren’t waiting for the results they need.”
Emmy relies on coworkers like fellow MLT, Geolina Turkonje, as much as she supports them. “Working together, we can accomplish a lot and I care for all of my coworkers like a big family. Southside has become my second home. I would encourage anyone to come here.” Emmy’s worked alongside Geolina for eight years – a friendship that’s helped the days pass quickly.
With the lab inside the hospital, it means that sometimes results are needed quickly. When a patient’s specimen comes in labeled “special handling” or “stat” the laboratory technologists know that they need to analyze the samples as quickly as possible. Doctors wait for critical lab results so that they can treat the patients. “Patients cannot wait,” says Emmy.
Luckily, Southside Hospital has a lot of innovative technology to help lab technologists get the quick results they need. “The most amazing thing here are our analyzers,” says Emmy, “I’m very proud and fortunate to see all the changes in technology we have. It’s good for the laboratory and patients – and it’s good for us too. We’re faster and more accurate. What used to take us a half hour now takes us five or ten minutes.”
Given her extensive experience, Emmy also spends a lot of time training within the lab. Here she oversees a new lab technologist, Stefani Gomez, as she prepares blood samples on slides. “Working here is a great opportunity,” says Emmy, “You have so much to learn and there are technologists who have been here a long time and are willing to help you.”
In between analyzing specimens, Emmy stops to pick up a ringing phone. “When everyone is so busy, you have to help each other out,” she explains. “Answering the phone when a clerk is busy not only helps them, but it’s important. The calls could be impacting patient care.”
“I’ve been here a long time and have seen a lot of change for the better,” says Emmy. “I feel very privileged to be here and be part of that evolution. Our leadership has made a big difference in the lab.” Leadership like Laurie Birnbaum, admin director of the Clinical Laboratory at Southside Hospital who Emmy stops to review metrics with before heading out for the day. “If you have a problem, you can tell Laurie and she will always help you. She’s always looking out for her employees and for the lab. She’s very considerate, caring and loving. We’re very lucky to have her as our director here.”
Join Emmy and the whole Clinical Laboratory team at Southside Hospital. Apply today!
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On the cutting edge and a slice above the rest – Who is a Histotechnologist?
Every March 10th, we celebrate Histotechnology Professionals Day to help raise awareness about the laboratory field of Histotechnology. Despite never meeting patients, histotechnologists play a vital healthcare role in helping patients receive the right diagnosis and care. These laboratory professionals are helping save lives one slide at a time.
But what does a histotechnologist do? To understand the profession, you must first understand Histology.
What is Histology?
Histology is the study of the microanatomy of cells, tissues, and organs as seen through a microscope.
A histotechnologist has advanced training in how and why specimens are collected and processed for testing. This expertise qualifies the histotechnologist to manage even unexpected situations in the laboratory, such as solving technical or instrument problems, understanding the underlying health and disease causes of unusual test results, and evaluating new laboratory techniques and procedures. Histotechnicians and histotechnologists must work quickly, as they are frequently under pressure to deliver results while the patient is in surgery. They are commonly referred to as “histotechs”.
What does a histotech do?
When the pathology lab receives the patient’s tissue sample, it is first examined and dissected by a pathologists’ assistant who will submit tissue samples in a fixative (usually formalin) to the Histology Lab for processing. Some histotechs are also able to gross small specimen biopsies for processing. This process includes a dictation of their “naked” eye description of the tissue which appears in the patient’s final report.
Colleen S. preparing to gross renal biopsies for processing.
Ana V. grossing biopsy specimens.
Histotechs work around the clock and play a large role in saving lives, but do it in an orderly fashion. The first step in tissue processing is to run the tissue sample through a series of alcohols to remove any water, clear the tissue in xylene and infiltrate the tissue sample in paraffin (wax material). The Histotech will then embed the tissue in melted paraffin, creating a “paraffin block”, which hardens to room temperature.
George S. loading cassettes in the tissue processor
Lori A. loading cassettes in the tissue processor.
Patrick F. embedding the tissue in cassettes.
Rachel R. embedding the tissue in cassettes.
The next step is for the paraffin blocks to be cut/sliced on a microtome, also known as microtomy, at paper-thin or less slices (measured in microns). This process will create a ribbon of tissue sections which is floated on a temperature-controlled, heated waterbath. The histotech will then pick up the tissue sections, placing them on a glass slide and routinely stained with special dyes that make the cell details visible under the microscope. The pathologist can now microscopically examine the tissue on the slide and determine if disease is present, or if it has spread, and help the clinician decide the best course of treatment for the patient.
Aparna G. cutting ribbons of tissue on microtome (microtomy).
Yana M. cutting ribbons of tissue on microtome (microtomy).
Cryotomy, a frozen section procedure to perform a rapid microscopic analysis/diagnosis of a fresh tissue sample, is also performed by a histotech. These samples are sent from the surgeon in the operating room, while the patient is still under anesthesia, allowing the pathologist to provide an immediate analysis/diagnosis to aid the surgeon on how to proceed with the surgery.
Histotechs can also perform more complex techniques such as enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. A histotechnologist can also teach and be a supervisor in a laboratory.
LIJ Immunohistochemistry Lab: Guillermo P., Perry A., Steve M., Danielle L
Histotechs will tell you that their work is an art form. They value precision and work with knives, chemicals and glass slides, as well as fragile, delicate instruments that require careful monitoring.
While patients do not see or speak with the lab team helping behind the scenes, the connection is still very meaningful for the histotechs. They care about the production side of their work and the quality of the slides. All histotechs will tell you they treat every specimen as if it belongs to one of their own family members waiting for their test results.
Thank you to all of Northwell’s histotechnologists!
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