Danica Burger

• Correctly identify a patient by using two unique identifiers
• Collect blood samples in the correct draw order
• Properly label blood draw specimens
• Bring blood draw specimens back to the laboratory within a timely manner
• Receive blood draw specimens in the collection computer system when they enter the lab
• Place blood draw specimens onto the Sysmex machine (hematology analyzer) to test patients’ white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), reticulocyte count, etc.
• Make a blood smear slide if any abnormalities are detected in the complete blood count to do a manual cell count
• Test patient body fluid samples on the Sysmex analyzer; body fluid samples include: cerebrospinal fluid, ascites fluid, thoracic fluid, and synovial fluid
• Observe the white blood cell counts, the red blood cell counts, and the percentages of mononuclear leukocytes, and polynuclear leukocytes within body fluids
• If abnormalities are detected on the Sysmex analyzer when analyzing body fluids, manually count the cells using a hemocytometer
• Place coagulation and chemistry samples in their respective centrifuges
• Place centrifuged coagulation samples onto the ACL Top 300 machine (coagulation analyzer) to test patient D-Dimer, Protime, Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT), and/or Fibrinogen
• Place centrifuged chemistry samples onto the Roche Cobas Pro (chemistry analyzer) or the Roche Cobas Pure (backup analyzer) to test patients’ sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose, calcium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, total protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, Hepatitis A, B, and/or C status, HIV status, etc.
• Test patients’ blood types and prepare blood units, platelet units, plasma and/or cryoprecipitate units if a hemoglobin or platelet count is low enough to deem necessary by a Physician
• If a patient is discovered to have an antibody, identify the antibody using an antegram to rule out antibodies that are not possibly present and to narrow down the antibody that is present
• Order units of blood, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate in low-inventory situations
• Test a maternal blood sample to determine if a fetomaternal hemorrhage has occurred and prepare at least one vial of Rhogam for administration
• Test an umbilical cord blood sample to determine the blood type of a newborn
• Issue blood, plasma, platelet, cryoprecipitate, and Rhogam samples to nursing staff for transfusion
• Test patient samples for the presence of occult blood in stool on the Polymedco analyzer
• Set up patient test cartridges for testing for Influenza A and B, COVID, and for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), as well as testing for Group A Streptococcus, Group B Streptococcus, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichimonas vaginalis, Bacterial vaginosis, Candida, C. difficile, and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); these are then tested on the Cepheid analyzer
• Set up patient tests on the BioFire analyzer, which can be tested for respiratory infections or infections of the cerebrospinal fluid
• Test patient urine samples using the Multistix strips, and these test for the presence of glucose, ketones, bilirubin, blood, protein, leukocytes, nitrite, urobilinogen, the urine pH, and the specific gravity
• If blood, leukocytes, greater than 30 milligrams of protein, or nitrite are detected in the urine sample, perform a manual microscopic observation of the urine and document the findings
• Perform Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates on patient samples
• Perform daily, weekly, monthly, and three-month maintenance on the Sysmex, the ACL Top 300, the MiniSED, and on the Roche Cobas Pure
• Perform quality control tests on the Sysmex analyzer, the ACL Top 300 analyzer, the Fecal Occult Blood analyzer, the Clinitek urine analyzer, the MiniSED, and on the Roche Cobas Pure analyzer to ensure that we are receiving expected results and that they are accurate for patient testing
• Prepare specimens for transport to the St. Luke’s laboratory, to the Mayo Clinic laboratory, or to the State Hygienic laboratory by batching them for the couriers to take if tests are ordered in which we do not perform
• Read the pending list, which is a collection of papers encompassing specimens that are in the process of being completed (specimens that have been sent to the St. Luke’s laboratory, the Mayo Clinic laboratory, or the State Hygienic laboratory)
• Prepare specimens to be sent by way of FedEx
• Make slides for positive blood culture bottles and observe the bacteria that is growing within the bottles because that is what is seen on the slide
• Call critical values of any kind to the Physician or to the nursing staff taking care of a patient
• Document unexpected results or quality control failures within the incident logs for each department

-Performed CNA duties

-Worked as housekeeper for the facility

-Performed all CNA duties for resident care

-Worked as sandwich maker and cashier