Brandy Lafontaine

• Night shift generalist for all areas of the laboratory
• Hematology, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Blood Banking, and Immunology
• Performed pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processing procedures.
• Improved turnaround times for test results through effective time management and prioritization of tasks.
• Collaborated with healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care and improve treatment outcomes.
• Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal, and other regulatory standards.
• Performed nightly quality assurance in all departments and instrument maintenance. Ensured quality controls were within range using Westgard rules.
• Reduced errors in test results by implementing rigorous quality control measures.

• Penn State Health opened a new hospital in Lancaster, PA
• I was one of 8 travelers that helped get the lab up and running
• I was a generalist that worked nights in all departments in the laboratory
• Assisted in writing SOP's to insure lab passed inspections to open on time.
• Reduced errors in test results by implementing rigorous quality control measures.
• Led training sessions for new laboratory staff, ensuring adherence to best practices and protocols.
• Coordinated with hospital departments to ensure seamless integration of laboratory services.
• Conducted root cause analysis to enhance quality and laboratory processes.
• Gathered and evaluated quality assurance data to identify issues and improve process efficiency.

• Responsible for running a clinic laboratory on Native American Reservation in rural Montana
• I went between two clinics setting up Chemistry Analyzers, maintaining QC records, and daily clinic lab work
• I worked alone and ran laboratory while phlebotomist drew patients
• Documented test results using computerized and manual transcription methods.
• Determined cause of unexpected test results and other issues by identifying and resolving technical and equipment problems.

• Second shift hematology technologist
• After one year, became a generalist in all areas of the laboratory
• Assisted in some histology tasks and cutting
• Very busy hematology lab
• Performed about ten to twelve manual body fluids per shift before pathologist agreed to automation
• Worked on Roche chemistry analyzers
• Manual blood banking
• Covid testing performed on Cepheid GeneXpert and Abbott Id Now
• Set up, maintained and verified sterility of lab equipment and tools.
• Participated in continuing education programs to stay up to date on new technologies and procedures.
• Manual blood banking using gel technology for DAT, antibody identification, elution, and absorption techniques.

• Night shift generalist
• Responsible for all departments and instrument maintenance
• Small rural laboratory
• Worked alone on the night shift, responsible for all areas including blood banking
• Actively participated in quality improvement projects focused on enhancing the overall efficiency of the lab operations.
• Maintained strict quality control standards, ensuring accurate test results and minimizing errors.
• Utilized expertise in microbiology, chemistry, and hematology to help with diagnosis of medical issues.

• Microbiology testing to include PCR, acid fast specimens and stains, tissue set ups, gram stain
• Very large fast paced microbiology lab
• Assisted in mycology as needed
• Sensitivity testing performed on Vitek
• Worked part time in trauma blood bank department to help when short staffed
• Completed specimen collection and analysis while complying with OSHA, Universal Precautions, and quality assurance policies.
• Enhanced patient care by accurately performing and interpreting various microbiological tests, including cultures, gram stains, and antigen detection assays.
• Increased accuracy of test results by maintaining proper calibration and validation of laboratory instruments.
• Performed thorough documentation of all lab procedures, findings, and actions taken to ensure accurate record-keeping for future reference.

• Work as a second shift generalist in hematology, chemistry, and microbiology
• Was also on bone marrow team as needed, and assisted in flow cytometry as needed
• Hematology and Urinalysis analyzers Beckman Coulter
• Responsible for QC, maintenance, and calibrations and testing in those areas
• Abbott Alinity chemistry analyzers and automation line
• Abbott Architect used in Immunology department testing
• Collected and studied blood samples to determine number of cells, morphology, blood group and blood type.
• Maintained laboratory equipment and supplies, ensuring proper functioning.

• Instructor for MLT program
• I taught Blood Banking, Hematology, and Intro to Lab Skills
• Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
• Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
• Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
• Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
• Developed comprehensive lesson plans to facilitate understanding of complex subjects.
• Streamlined grading system to provide timely and constructive feedback, promoting student growth.
• Increased student participation with introduction of group projects and collaborative learning sessions.
• Enhanced classroom collaboration through the implementation of group projects and team-building activities.
• Increased student motivation by developing engaging lesson plans that catered to various learning styles.

• Company Overview: Carl R
• Darnall Medical is located on Ft
• Hood, TX and is the largest Army military installation in the country
• Third shift generalist for all areas of the lab, and I rotate on a nightly basis
• Responsible for all QC, maintenance, and calibrations on all chemistry analyzers
• Performs bi-weekly, weekly, monthly, three month, and six-month maintenance on Beckman DXC 800 analyzers
• Performs 5000 and 10,000 maintenances on Beckman DXI analyzers and Beckman Access analyzers
• Carl R
• Darnall Medical is located on Ft
• Hood, TX and is the largest Army military installation in the country

• Company Overview: Candler was a large facility that included a cancer center
• In Hematology area we assisted in performing bone marrow biopsy
• I was on bone marrow team in specialty hematology
• I was a second and third shift generalist and rotated in all areas of the lab including blood banking
• We rotated departments daily
• Hematology analyzers and auto slide maker from Beckman Coulter
• Performed blood bank testing on analyzer Ortho Provue, also performed manual tube and gel testing
• Performed antibody identifications, titers, and elution
• Performed new born transfusions and exchange transfusion
• Also worked in the specialty fertility clinic as needed

Performing counts and washes in preparation for insemination

• Chemistry was powered by Roche analyzers and an automation line
• Conducted thorough root cause analysis for unexpected variances in test results, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Candler was a large facility that included a cancer center
• Supported laboratory operations by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of industry regulations and best practices.

• Second and third shift generalist responsible for all areas of the lab including blood banking
• Performed some phlebotomy
• Responsible for helping to draw morning ward rounds in absence of a phlebotomist
• I was also the back-up microbiology tech when department head was not present
• Responsible for setting up cultures on the Microscan, daily QC and temperatures, and reading plates