APRIL HERNANDEZ
San Diego,CA
Summary
Laboratory and Public Health Professional with significant expertise in team leadership and operational management. Proven track record in driving team collaboration and delivering impactful results. Skilled in conflict resolution, process optimization, and strategic planning, with a flexible approach to evolving business needs. Known for reliability, strong communication, and fostering a productive work environment.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Laboratory Processing/Phlebotomy Supervisor II
UCSD East County Medical Center
San Diego, CA
05.2023 - Current
- Accreditation standards
- Data Reporting
- Improving operational efficiency, Customer services
- Patient Safety laboratory safety training
- Clinical staff training, Staff supervision, and team management
- Policy and Process development
- Pre-Analytical
- Financial Operations management
- Laboratory compliance management
- Medical Laboratory work, laboratory quality work
- Healthcare team management
- Technical skills instruction, troubleshooting support
- Hospital compliance quality systems
- Hospital improvement, staffing development, performance evaluation
- (Prior Alvarado hospital 5/23 to 12/24)
Production/Research Associate - Lead
Cibus
San Diego, CA
08.2021 - 04.2023
- Assisting in the operation of a semi-automated platform supporting Cibus patented gene editing technology.
- Using Six Sigma and supporting all aspects of production workflows, including handling plant cell culture production.
- Overseeing production using cell culture automation, operating robotic equipment, and collecting samples for analysis.
- Carrying out a variety of manual/automated cell line material handling processes, sample monitoring, and data collection.
- Managing cell lines and monitoring growth using state-of-the-art imaging, collecting data, and performing data entry.
- Training other team members in writing SOPs, keeping laboratory notebooks, and running weekly production meetings.
- Performing experiments to assist Molecular teams and training on Flow Cytometry as well as Plant Cell Biology.
- Sampling for molecular screening while keeping contamination- and mold-free with excellent Aseptic techniques.
Histology Assistant
AcelaBio
San Diego, CA
02.2021 - 06.2021
Senior Laboratory Lead
Maxim Healthcare Group, Public Health Laboratory, County of San Diego
11.2020 - 02.2021
Laboratory Technician
Select Staffing (Nucelis/Cibus)
San Diego, CA
06.2019 - 11.2020
- Cleaned assembly/disassembly of bench fermenters and maintained sterile glassware and other items using autoclave.
- Made plates of various Nutrient Agar Recipes, pipetted centrifuge, and created weekly media for main experiments.
- Supported day-to-day lab operations including interacting with science staff and managers to support project needs.
- Worked on a team to facilitate the best outcomes and assist with the preparation of common stock solutions, buffers, and media.
- Assisted the Laboratory Research Director with efficient production set-up for DASGIB Bioreactor systems.
- Collaborated with peers in a team environment to meet weekly goals and production while complying with GLP.
- Monitored and maintained the facility's scientific water supply restocks as well as ordered general lab supplies.
Client Liaison-Project Manager
ARUP University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
01.2013 - 10.2018
- Worked at the client site and acted as liaison with ARUP's Technical, Marketing, and Support Services division.
- Oversaw specimen processing, information technology, logistics/transportation, and quality and compliance.
- Prepared specimens for transport and provided troubleshooting to ensure specimens arrived in “track-ready status.”
- Interacted with clients to resolve issues related to specimen submissions and acted as a resource for client questions.
- Prepared and documented necessary information for State Health reporting, as well as educated hospital staff.
- Poured off, labeled, and processed ARUP specimens as they became available by handling procedures.
- Handled exceptions, detecting and resolving issues related to test or specimen submissions before shipping to ARUP.
- Provided information for clients regarding specimen requirements, fees, turnaround times, and referral vendors.
- Assisted in distributing technical information, hotlines, test bulletins, and company updates to the client.
- Kept the client current on all value-added services that ARUP supports, such as ATOP, Connect, and Consult.
Education
Associate of Science - Human Biology
National University
Bachelor’s - Public Health
National University
San Diego, CA01.2026
Skills
- Medical Records & Documentation Review
- GLP, CGMP & GMP Compliance
- Analyzers & Automation Equipment
- Supervision, Coaching, & Training
- Specimen Collection & Processing
- Laboratory Testing & Results Reporting
- Buffer Preparation
- Plating, Pipetting & Operating Laboratory Systems
- Public Health Leadership & Team Collaboration
- Quality Control
- Public Health
- SharePoint
- SOFT LIS Cerner
- Epic
- EMR Systems
- Sunquest
- EHR
- Soft
- STARLIMS
- Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
- Scientific Terminology
- AI
- Adaptable problem-solving
- Sample and specimen collection
- Team leadership
- Infection control
- Medical terminology
- Staff training
- Recording data
- Record keeping accuracy
- Staff development
- Health education
- Safety protocol enforcement
- Quality control guidelines
- Conflict resolution strategies
- Continuous process improvement
- Regulatory compliance
- Patient care management
- Quality assurance monitoring
- Department leadership
- Health and safety
Certification
Rigorous Courses and Certification, CDC trained in Advanced Clinical Laboratory associated with Infectious disease testing while employed at Public Health Laboratory, County of San Diego, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Timeline
Clinical Laboratory Processing/Phlebotomy Supervisor II
UCSD East County Medical Center
05.2023 - Current
Production/Research Associate - Lead
Cibus
08.2021 - 04.2023
Histology Assistant
AcelaBio
02.2021 - 06.2021
Senior Laboratory Lead
Maxim Healthcare Group, Public Health Laboratory, County of San Diego
11.2020 - 02.2021
Laboratory Technician
Select Staffing (Nucelis/Cibus)
06.2019 - 11.2020
Client Liaison-Project Manager
ARUP University of Utah
01.2013 - 10.2018
Associate of Science - Human Biology
National University
Bachelor’s - Public Health
National University