Heather Willard
Canton,MI
Summary
Diligent problem-solver with resourceful approach to challenges and organized style. Leverages Laboratory Technician expertise to manage job functions. Excellent communicator with focus on results.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Laboratory Technician 1
St Jospeph Mercy Hospital
11.2016 - Current
- Performed routine lab and department maintenance to keep area clean and orderly.
- Documented information by maintaining daily logs and equipment record books.
- Calibrated and maintained instruments to keep equipment fully operational.
- Maintained documentation on tests performed in lab.
- Trained new associates in laboratory procedures and standards.
- Kept laboratory supplies prepared by inventorying stock, placing orders and verifying receipt.
- Performed testing and quality control using approved laboratory procedures and instrumentation.
- Supported laboratory staff with advanced troubleshooting, resolving complex problems and helping with special projects.
- Registered and prepared samples for general analytical testing through data entry, weighing and physical homogenization.
- Prepared and assured accuracy of standards and reagents needed for analyses.
- Stored, transported and submitted urinalysis samples.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy in test results by following strict quality control procedures.
- Increased sample throughput by optimizing workflow and efficient use of resources.
- Trained junior technicians on laboratory techniques and safety protocols, enhancing overall team proficiency.
- Participated in continuous improvement initiatives, contributing to the ongoing optimization of lab operations.
- Supported regulatory compliance efforts through adherence to guidelines and thorough record-keeping practices.
Patient Care Technician
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
04.2015 - 11.2016
- Obtained patient vital signs and reported results to staff nurse or physician, noting changes from prior measurements.
- Answered patient assistance calls, assessed needs, and offered qualified support.
- Maintained clean and safe environment to promote patient safety and comfort.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Collected and transported specimens to prepare for lab testing.
- Responded to patient emergencies with immediate care and notified clinicians to provide comprehensive assistance.
- Assisted in transferring patients, beds and patient care equipment to other rooms adhering to necessary safety precautions.
- Organized and replenished unit supplies to maintain team readiness for expected demands.
- Supported patient admissions, discharges, and transfers to promote team productivity.
- Helped patients maintain healthy skin by checking wounds, assessing integrity, and bathing bedbound individuals.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Applied oxygen via nasal cannula, simple masks and nebulizer masks under direction of nurse in charge.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by providing compassionate and attentive care.
- Reduced stress for patients and families through effective communication and empathetic support.
- Assisted nurses with essential tasks, streamlining workflow and increasing efficiency in the healthcare setting.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to nursing staff, ensuring timely medical interventions when necessary.
- Provided high-quality personal care to patients, promoting comfort and dignity during their hospital stay.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between shifts by maintaining thorough documentation of patient care activities and observations.
- Contributed to a positive patient experience by keeping rooms clean, organized, and well-stocked with supplies.
- Maintained strict adherence to infection control protocols, minimizing risk of disease transmission within the clinical environment.
- Supported optimal wound healing by skillfully changing dressings and monitoring for signs of infection or complications.
- Enabled increased mobility for patients by assisting with ambulation exercises and transfers using proper body mechanics techniques.
Hospice Certified Nursing Assistant/Palliative Care Coordinator
Hospice Of Michigan
08.1999 - 09.2015
- Helped patients effectively manage routine bathing, grooming, and other hygiene needs.
- Reported unusual or urgent circumstances in patients' condition or environment immediately to nurse supervisor.
- Documented care actions by completing records and logs in medical software system.
- Monitored, tracked, and conveyed important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Observed or examined patients to detect symptoms that required medical attention such as bruises or open wounds.
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive care.
- Assisted in maintaining a safe and clean environment for hospice patients through diligent housekeeping tasks.
- Enhanced quality of life for terminally ill patients by addressing their emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive care plans tailored to individual patient needs.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes in patient condition to nursing staff, ensuring timely medical intervention when necessary.
- Provided end-of-life care for patients while respecting their dignity and personal wishes, allowing them to pass comfortably.
- Educated family members on proper caregiving techniques to support their loved ones during the hospice process.
- Offered companionship and emotional support to both patients and families, fostering positive relationships during difficult times.
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding while preserving their autonomy whenever possible.
- Adapted care routines based on individual patient preferences, promoting a sense of control over their environment during end-of-life stages.
- Utilized effective nonverbal communication strategies for patients who were unable or unwilling to speak about their experiences or emotions openly.
- Contributed to the development of facility policies and procedures regarding hospice care delivery through active participation in staff meetings and discussions about best practices for end-of-life care provision.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Surgical Technology
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI05.2025
State of Michigan Palliative Care Certification -
Hospice Of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI05.1999
High School Diploma -
Manchester High School
Manchester, MI06.1994
Skills
- Specimen Preparation
- Medical Laboratory Procedures
- Specimen Processing
- Sample Preparation
- Interpersonal and Written Communication
- Hazardous Materials Handling
- Materials Testing
- Inventory Oversight
- Safety Compliance
- Specimen Collection
- Laboratory Safety Protocols
- Supply Maintenance
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Quality Control
Timeline
Laboratory Technician 1
St Jospeph Mercy Hospital
11.2016 - Current
Patient Care Technician
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
04.2015 - 11.2016
Hospice Certified Nursing Assistant/Palliative Care Coordinator
Hospice Of Michigan
08.1999 - 09.2015
Associate of Applied Science - Surgical Technology
Washtenaw Community College
State of Michigan Palliative Care Certification -
Hospice Of Michigan
High School Diploma -
Manchester High School
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