Heather Potersnak
Kent,WA
Summary
Knowledgeable laboratory professional skilled in all facets of medical laboratory testing as well as histological practices. Familiar with CAP, TJC, OSHA, MED-IG and FDA guidelines. Quality-driven team player with accuracy-focused and efficient approach, offering over 10 years of industry expertise.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Histology Technician
United States Navy, USN
Bremerton, WA
10.2019 - 08.2024
- Proficient in H&E staining as well as special stains such as: H. pylori, Gram, GMS, PAS.
- Embedded tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrated tissue specimens with wax.
- Operated microtomes to section body tissues for microscopic examination.
- Xylene Recycling Program Manager: successfully recycled, distilled and reused xylene; saving $3000.
- Morgue Attendant: assisted in five fetal tissue examinations.
Medical Laboratory Technician
United States Navy, USN
Bremerton, WA
10.2019 - 08.2024
- Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal and other regulatory standards.
- Utilized expertise in microbiology, chemistry, urinalysis, blood bank and hematology to help with diagnosis of medical issues.
- Phlebotomist: Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles, and straight needles.
- Point of Care Program Manager: maintained 30 glucometers valued at over $200,000. Reviewed 60 glucometer quality control logs and trained over 50 hospital staff members on proper usage.
- Decontamination Team member: Completed First Receiver Operations Training (FROT), ensuring rapid response to possible Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats.
Medical Laboratory Technician
United States Navy, USN
Rota, Spain
06.2016 - 12.2018
- Urinalysis, Serology and Coagulation Lead Technician: responsible for training, inventory, maintenance and quality assurance reports
- Mail-Out Lead Technician: Laboratory liaison for nine external reference laboratories to include LabCorp and CDD
- Microbiology Lead Technician: Revised and updated 12 SOPs, responsible for training, inventory, daily quality control and quality assurance reports
- Infection Control Representative: compiled quarterly susceptibility reports
- Customer Service Representative: Maintained customer satisfaction with forward-thinking strategies focused on addressing customer needs and resolving concerns.
- Member of hospital Decontamination team
- Blood Bank Secondary: Responsible for running Scripts for new HCLL software and training personnel. Assisted in monthly quality control to include deglycerolizing units.
- Self-sufficient technician: worked night shift solo for 8 months maintaining analyzers, running all QC, as well as patient samples from ER, ward and OB units.
Hospital Corpsman
United States Navy, USN
Bremerton, WA
07.2013 - 04.2015
- Medical-Surgical Unit: Responsible for delivery of care from newborns to terminally ill on 18 bed Multi-service ward. Performed patient assessments, delivered medications, completed IV insertions as well as blood draws, foley catheter insertions, JP drain care and assisted in procedures to include: Nasopharyngeal tube insertions, sutures, colonoscopies, minor surgeries, and dressing changes.
- Medical Surgical Unit Team Lead: Successfully precepted 5 staff members.
- Emergency Department: Cross-trained over 100 hours. Assisted in triage, IV insertion and patient care.
- Intensive Care Unit: Cross-trained over 6 months. Assisted in patient care, IV insertion and cardioversions.
- Electrocardiogram Subject Matter Expert: Telemetry Monitor Team Lead, completed an EKG course to include 50 hours of training. Stood over 70 hours of telemetry duty and successfully trained 6 staff members.
- Environmental Safety Supervisor: Ensured 40 staff members received safety training to include proper disposal of waste products and spill incidents.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Uniformed Services University of The Health Sciences
Bethesda, MD05.2020
Associate of Science - Health Sciences
George Washington University, The
Washington, DC05.2017
Skills
- Proficient in LIS (CHCS, MHS Genesis, CoPath, HCLL)
- Proficient in developing/writing new SOPs
- Proficient in following laboratory analyzers:
-Abbott: Alinity ci series and CELL-DYN Ruby
-Alcor Scientific ISED
-Arkay Aution Max (AX-4280)
-Bact/Alert 3D
-Biofire-Film Array
-Clinitek: Advantus and Status
-Dimension: Vista 500 and EXL 200
-Haemonotics ACP 215
-Hologic Panther
-Iris IQelite 200
-Medtox Scan
-Ortho Clinical Diagnostics: Ortho Vision
-Quidel Sofia 2
-Siemens Rapid Point 500
-SQA-V Gold
-Sysmex: CA 600 Series and XN-2000
- Proficient in use of following Histology Equipment:
-TissueTek: Stainer, Coverslipper, VIP Processor, Cryostat, Embedding Station
-Leica Microtome
Certification
- MLT - Medical Laboratory Technician ASCP certified (100468)
- HT - Histotechnician ASCP certified (25935)
- Secret Clearance
Clinical Experience
Histopathology Technician Program
January 2019-September 2019, San Antonio TX
- Honor Graduate and Dean's List
- 1440 hours of didactic classroom instruction and hands-on experience: IHC, autopsies, embedding, assisting with grossing, cutting and staining.
- 12 weeks of clinical rotations to include: the CDD, SAAMC, University Hospital San Antonio, Tri-Services Research Lab Fort Sam Houston
Medical Laboratory Technician Program
May 2015-June 2016, San Antonio TX and San Diego CA
- Dean's List
- 1040 hours in educational instruction and training in the major disciplines of the clinical laboratory with an emphasis on quality assurance and safety techniques.
- 1040 hours of clinical experience to include laboratory work at Naval Medical Center San Diego Hospital, Blood Donor Center and outlying clinics as well as Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.
Hospital Corpsman Basic
March 2013-June 2013, San Antonio TX
- Dean's List
- 560 hours of training to include Basic Life Support (BLS), medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, pre-hospital care, and inpatient and outpatient aspects of each body system
Timeline
Histology Technician
United States Navy, USN
10.2019 - 08.2024
Medical Laboratory Technician
United States Navy, USN
10.2019 - 08.2024
Medical Laboratory Technician
United States Navy, USN
06.2016 - 12.2018
Hospital Corpsman
United States Navy, USN
07.2013 - 04.2015
Bachelor of Science - Health Sciences
Uniformed Services University of The Health Sciences
Associate of Science - Health Sciences
George Washington University, The