Denise Keatts
Summary
Dedicated Pathology Lab Assistant with proven expertise at Freeman Health System in specimen preparation and microscopic staining methods. Recognized for enhancing turnaround times and fostering teamwork. Skilled in quality control procedures and committed to maintaining laboratory safety compliance, ensuring exceptional support in high-pressure environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pathology Lab Assistant
Freeman Health System
02.2025 - Current
- Collaborated effectively with fellow lab assistants, fostering a positive work environment conducive to teamwork and shared success.
- Reduced turnaround time for test results by efficiently processing and staining tissue samples.
- Continuously improved personal skill set through ongoing training opportunities, staying current on industry best practices in pathology assistance.
- Maintained a clean, well-organized workspace to optimize productivity and prevent cross-contamination of samples.
- Consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, reliability, and dedication to providing exceptional support within the pathology lab environment.
- Performed regular maintenance on laboratory equipment, ensuring optimal performance levels and minimizing downtime..
- Prepared solutions, stains and reagents in accordance with standards.
- Readied specimens with use of embedded or infiltrated paraffin wax.
- Embedded tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrated tissue specimens with wax.
- Used microtome to section embedded tissue and mount on microscope slide.
- Performed special stain testing: - GMS, HP, Iron, Trichrome, Alcian blue, congo red, PAS fungus
Medical Assistant
Freeman Health System
06.2017 - Current
- Assisted in the training of new laboratory assistants, providing guidance on best practices and procedures.
- Maintained a clean, safe work environment by following strict laboratory protocols and guidelines.
- Promoted patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations during all phases of specimen handling and reporting processes.
- Prepared samples for shipping and disposed of bodily fluids in proper containers.
- Managed specimen sample handling, receiving, storage and inventory.
- Ensured accurate test results with proper use of lab equipment and adherence to protocols.
- Prepared samples for centrifugation, aliquoting and preserving sample integrity.
- Performed CLIA Waived tests such as drug screens, pregnancy test and using an Istat machine.
Lab Assistant
Mercy Hospital Joplin
01.2017 - 02.2025
- Proactively troubleshooted issues with laboratory equipment, minimizing downtime and preventing delays in testing schedules.
- Reviewed slides for quality control prior to sending to pathologists.
- Embedded tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrated tissue specimens with wax.
- Used microtome to section embedded tissue and mount on microscope slide.
- Checked stained slides against paraffin blocks and gross dictation to determine completeness of sections.
- Prepared solutions, stains and reagents in accordance with standards.
- Performed special stains such as GMS, HP, PAS fungus, Trichrome, Retic, Congo Red, Alcian blue.
Education
High School Diploma -
Webb City High School
Webb City, MOParamedic License - Paramedic
Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MOSkills
- Laboratory safety compliance
- Quality control procedure
- Specimen preparation
- Specimen tissue handling
- Slide preparation
- Microscopic staining methods
- Sample preparation
- Histological staining
- Microtome operation
Certification
- CMA - Certified Medical Assistant
Timeline
Pathology Lab Assistant
Freeman Health System
02.2025 - Current
Medical Assistant
Freeman Health System
06.2017 - Current
Lab Assistant
Mercy Hospital Joplin
01.2017 - 02.2025
High School Diploma -
Webb City High School
Paramedic License - Paramedic
Missouri Southern State University
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