Deja Calhoun
Houston
Summary
Dynamic laboratory professional with extensive experience at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, skilled in specimen processing and quality control. Proficient in operating the Sysmex XN-430 hematology analyzer, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Recognized for meticulous attention to detail and effective communication, contributing to improved workflow efficiency and accurate diagnostic outcomes.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Laboratory Assistant/ Processor Lab Services
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
07.2023 - Current
- Learned to operate and maintain the Sysmex XN-430 hematology analyzer.
- Performed daily quality control procedures to ensure instrument accuracy and compliance with lab standards.
- Became proficient in pulling and analyzing patient and QC reports for review and documentation.
- Responsible for processing clinical specimens received in the laboratory.
- Became proficient in peripheral blood smear preparation for microscopic analysis.
- Under limited supervision and according to approved procedures, preformed a variety of laboratory support procedures including specimen collection, order entry, processing, and pouring over certain specimens all while maintaining patient confidentiality.
- Responsible for the creation and maintaining of packing list, ordering stat pickups, and handling all issues regarding specimens in the lab, from nurse and doctor’s questions, requesting add-ons, and incorrect processing of any specimen.
Clinical Laboratory Assistant II
ProPath
12.2022 - 06.2023
- Collected, labeled, and prepared patient specimens for diagnostic testing in compliance with laboratory protocols.
- Assisted pathologists and technologists with slide preparation, staining, and quality control procedures.
- Entered and verified patient and specimen data in the laboratory information system with high accuracy.
- Maintained a clean, organized, and safe work environment following biohazard and HIPAA guidelines.
- Monitored specimen intake, tracking, and timely delivery to designated testing areas to support workflow efficiency.
- Supported accurate diagnoses with meticulous specimen handling and preparation.
Specimen Technician II
Quest Diagnostics
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Ensures correct data entry as each specimen is received into the lab software system.
- Checks for a proper name, collection date, and correct samples.
- Prepares all send-out specimens for pick-up to reference labs ensures proper handling of specimens according to in-house or reference laboratory protocols.
- Sorts all in-house labs to various departments, placing specimens in appropriate racks daily.
- Documents all samples that do not meet quality criteria on the sample rejection log.
- Minimized errors in identification labels through diligent cross-checking before releasing samples for further testing or storage.
Specimen Processor
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
03.2021 - 03.2022
- Labeled and processed patient specimens accurately & distributed to appropriate areas of laboratory.
- Processed laboratory samples according to procedure.
- Centrifuged and prepared aliquots when needed.
- Always maintained specimen requirements according to protocol.
- Dispatched specimens to the main lab or other designated testing facilities as per protocol.
- Received, triages, orders, labels and transports specimens for laboratory testing.
- Ensured all tests on requisitions were accounted for in the ordering system.
- If necessary, contacted physicians’ offices to obtain order clarification/ verification prior to collecting specimens.
- Tracked every specimen to ensure specimen integrity, accounting particularly for those samples which must be transported to other locations.
- Ensured specimens were processed according to specimen requirements & that all specimen requirements were met. Ensured specimen requirements were maintained during transportation & storage as per protocol.
- Operated and maintained the Tempus 1800 Fero automated specimen processing system in a high-throughput laboratory environment.
- Performed routine and preventive maintenance to ensure optimal machine performance and minimize downtime.
- Troubleshot technical issues and resolved system errors to maintain workflow efficiency.
- Processed and ran biological specimens according to lab protocols and quality standards.
- Collaborated with lab personnel to ensure timely and accurate specimen handling and reporting.
Laboratory Specialist
Immunotek Bio Centers
11.2019 - 11.2020
- Verified and completed donation documentation of necessary records.
- Prepared plasma bottle collection for sampling.
- Collected and processed donor tubes for testing.
- Prepared donor testing samples for shipment.
- Labeled samples and placed plasma bottles in freezer for shipment, including repackaging and sorting.
- Completed donor records by entering the collected information into the donor management computer system.
- Packed units for final shipment.
- Monitored the temperature of the stored product in freezers and performed routine maintenance of freezer equipment.
- Performed daily, monthly, quarterly equipment maintenance through cleaning and quality control checks.
- Reported all equipment in need of repair to supervisor.
- Maintained communication within the service areas of the donor center to ensure thorough documentation of necessary records.
- Learned and maintained thorough familiarity and compliance with all state and federal regulations, Standard Operating Procedure Manual, OSHA, CLIA, cGMP, and internal Company Procedures.
Education
High School Diploma -
Moises E. Molina High School
Dallas, TX08-2015
Skills
- Skilled in specimen collection and processing
- Experienced in phlebotomy techniques and patient preparation
- Accurate and efficient data entry and laboratory information system (LIS) usage
- Strong understanding of quality control procedures in clinical laboratory settings
Proficient in medical terminology and clinical documentation
- Blood slide preparation and staining (Wright-Giemsa)
- Proficient in operating Sysmex XN-430 hematology analyzer, including performing quality control procedures and generating analytical reports
- Proficient in preparing and loading specimens on Tempus 1800 Fero machine (clinical/lab setting)
- Experience operating Tempus 1800 Fero machine for specimen processing
Timeline
Laboratory Assistant/ Processor Lab Services
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
07.2023 - Current
Clinical Laboratory Assistant II
ProPath
12.2022 - 06.2023
Specimen Technician II
Quest Diagnostics
08.2022 - 12.2022
Specimen Processor
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
03.2021 - 03.2022
Laboratory Specialist
Immunotek Bio Centers
11.2019 - 11.2020
High School Diploma -
Moises E. Molina High School
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