Hi, I’m
KATHRINA A. TALAUE
Aurora,IL
Summary
Professional laboratory technician with strong experience in specimen processing. Demonstrates exceptional skills in handling, analyzing, and documenting biological samples to ensure accuracy and reliability. Highly focused on team collaboration and achieving results, adaptable to changing needs, and known for dependability. Proficient in sterile techniques, data entry, and compliance with safety protocols, contributing to efficient and effective laboratory operations.
To lead a Team in quality, operational excellence in the efficient delivery of our services to patient care. Inspire our people to perform well in all situations in an environment that enhances teamwork and spirit.
Overview
24
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
LabCorp
Specimen Processing Specialist (Expediter)
06.2023 - 10.2025
Job overview
- Responsible for processing Touch samples room temp, frozen and refrigerated samples. Sending Touch email report that includes touch issues and volume.
- Responsible for expediting all samples for packing and ready for all 3 shipments. Includes histology samples and OTS samples.
- Prepares all specimens received for testing in designated laboratory departments or locations such as staging of specimens, centrifuge, separate serum, and blood smears.
- Unpacks specimens from branches or ports and routes specimens by type to various staging areas. Aliquots sample for departments. Prepares excess specimen samples for storage and resolves and document problem specimens.
- Prepares laboratory specimens for designated departments prior to laboratory analysis and testing.
- Process specimens accurately using established protocols and procedures.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of laboratory workspace to ensure safety compliance.
- Label and document samples to facilitate tracking and retrieval efficiency.
- Collaborate with team members to streamline specimen processing workflows.
- Train new staff on specimen handling techniques and laboratory best practices.
- Conduct quality control checks to verify accuracy of processed specimens.
- Implement process improvements that enhance turnaround times for specimen testing.
- Contributed to the achievement of departmental goals by consistently meeting or exceeding established benchmarks for productivity, accuracy, and timeliness in specimen processing tasks.
- Maximized productivity levels within the department by effectively prioritizing tasks based on factors such as urgency, complexity, and available resources.
- Assisted in the development and revision of standard operating procedures, resulting in improved overall process efficiency.
IDEXX
Medical Laboratory Technician
04.2022 - Current
Job overview
- Currently in training in Chemistry Department. Trained on the Loading Bench samples on Beckman and Immulite machine. Now training on Back Bench samples. Learned how pull pending report for Beckman and Immulite machine to pull samples that has no runs or needs reruns. Archiving chemistry samples for our storage.
- Hematology testing cell-related components of blood samples to enumerate and identify their cellular components using the microscopic evaluation of blood smears. Testing animal's red blood cells by making hematocrit. Making a blood smear slide for testing. Loading whole blood samples in Sysmex and SP50. Running QC for Sysmex and changing reagents nightly before running tests.
- Miscellaneous Hematology testing for Microfilaria using membrane filtration and microscope. Coagulation testing for PT, PTT and FIB using Stago machine.
- Fibrinogen concentration testing using the refractometer and centrifuge. Getting results for total protein for heated and unheated microhematocrit using the refractometer.
- All results are send in the Lynx system to release the result to the customer.
- Run QC for Stago machine nightly before running tests.
- Trained junior staff on laboratory protocols and best practices for safety compliance.
- Ensured quality control by performing routine maintenance on lab equipment and calibrating instruments as needed.
- Assisted in the training of new staff members, ensuring proper knowledge transfer and adherence to safety protocols.
- Prepared reagents and solutions, making readily available during testing for convenience.
- Documented and reported equipment malfunctions to supervisor for fast resolution and maintenance.
- Processing and prepping slides for pathologist to ready on Motic machine.
- Clean all Wescor stainers; change reagents and QC for Wescor stainers.
- Processing all body fluids and doing manuals counts for CSF and BAL under the microscope. Running body fluids in Sysmex.
- Monitoring Live view for all rework requests from the Pathologists and checking cytology emails for any requests, research or investigation for any cytology patient.
- Archiving all slides and body samples tubes in storage box/rack for any future add on test request and rework.
LabCorp
Team Lead Branch Accessioning
02.2008 - 04.2022
Job overview
- Communicate with Lab Supervisor, Lab Manager and Team Leadership of new changes, goals, workflow arrangement and Branch call meeting updates.
- Responsible for Hospital Group and Expediter Team but help other areas like cytology, manual and electronic accessioning samples.
- Weekly schedule tasks for Hospital Group and Expediter Team based on workflow and employee’s PLB off.
- Knowledge of coding doctor’s prescription to convert into LabCorp test codes.
- Responsible for all 3 shipments to be on time.
- Knowledge of accessioning room temp, frozen and refrigerated samples; accessioning cytology samples and COVID samples. Currently responsible for accessioning hospital accounts.
- Responsible for packing COVID-19 samples to various areas according to volume.
- Volunteered to help other LabCorp locations to meet Central Division goals and other Division as well (Louisville, Texas, Rockford, St. Louis)
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes.
- Implemented training programs to improve team performance and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Analyzed workflow inefficiencies, proposing solutions that resulted in significant process improvements.
- Collaborated with management to set departmental goals aligned with organizational objectives.
- Facilitated regular team meetings, promoting open communication and addressing challenges effectively.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and employee recognition initiatives.
- Served as a role model for the team by demonstrating commitment to excellence, professionalism, and adherence to company values at all times.
- Worked different stations to provide optimal coverage and meet production goals.
Regulus Group
Data Entry Team Leader
04.2002 - 08.2007
Job overview
- Remittance processing of payments of different clients. Ensuring all established productions and quality standards are met. As well being able to work in a fast-paced deadline environment.
- Account Look-up for billing. Keystrokes 18,000 kph to 20,000 kph while keeping quality an outmost concern.
- Assisted in different areas in the Opex50/51 machine mail opener. Reject/matching process. Verifying blocks of checks for deposit and balance checks.
- Responsible for workflow for 25 employees. Training of new employee’s and temporary personnel and conducting tests to monitor their advancement.
- Responsible for monthly coaching and error distribution for each employee.
- Training other employees from other sites. (Florida)
Education
Genesis HealthcareRomeoville, IL
Certified Nursing Assistant
01.2017
Bolingbrook High SchoolBolingbrook, IL
High School Diploma
06.1997
Skills
- Microsoft Outlook
- WPM 65
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- 18,000-20,000 kph
- HIPAA compliance
- Clinical laboratory experience
- Biohazardous waste disposal
- Labeling accuracy
- Specimen preparation
- Hematology
- Staining techniques
- Chemistry
- Slide preparation
- Instrument troubleshooting
- Laboratory safety protocols
- Reliability
- Workload prioritization
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with Accessioning Leadership in the development and implementing 5S.
- Achieved on time shipments through effectively helping other LabCorp braches such as Dallas, Texas, Louisville Kentucky and Rockford.
- LabCorp Laboratory of the Year 2010 and 2019.
ACTIVITIES
Filipino Language Basketball Team Support - Sundays
Certification
- Certified - Currently CPR Certified
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Specimen Processing Specialist (Expediter)
LabCorp
06.2023 - 10.2025
Medical Laboratory Technician
IDEXX
04.2022 - Current
Team Lead Branch Accessioning
LabCorp
02.2008 - 04.2022
Data Entry Team Leader
Regulus Group
04.2002 - 08.2007
Bolingbrook High School
High School Diploma
Genesis Healthcare
Certified Nursing Assistant