Kendall Thompson
Austin,TX
Summary
Dynamic Coordinator with extensive experience at TX DSHS, excelling in laboratory management, and process improvement. Proven track record in resolving customer complaints and training staff. Skilled in communication, molecular techniques, and quality assurance, driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance specimen processing efficiency and accuracy.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Technician V - NBS Specimen Punching Room Coordinator
TX DSHS Newborn Screening Lab/Quality Improvement
Austin, TX
09.2023 - Current
- Oversee the technical activities of the laboratory including daily specimen handling processes, quality assurance and management functions.
- Serve as an authority, technical resource and primary contact for specimen acceptability and preparation.
- Train new employees to identify specimen acceptability and review unsatisfactory specimens.
- Experienced in utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen as well as Process Improvement, and Project Management strategies to develop and implement continuous improvement projects in the lab.
- Investigate and resolve all customer complaints for NBS testing according to regulatory requirements and collaborate with Quality Assurance and internal stakeholders to ensure timely resolution.
- Investigate collection kit manufacturing errors and communicate them to our vendor.
- Coordinate the generation of Revised Reports for NBS.
- Train new employees how to utilize the Revvity Panthera 9 instrument to process NBS specimens for testing.
- Coordinate with 6 NBS teams to ensure specimen processing follows an established schedule.
- Identify discrepancies in specimen processing then implements and documents corrective actions and outcomes.
- Coordinate annual edits to NBS collection kits.
- Perform QC testing on new lots of NBS collection kits when they are received from the vendor.
- Provide tours of the NBS punching room.
- Participate in preparing laboratory budgets, equipment assessment and incorporating new technologies.
- Communicate instrument repair request needs to contracted vendors.
- Communicate and work directly with informatics and IT departments to ensure that new testing processes function before going live as well as troubleshooting and resolving emergent LIMS issues for the NBS lab quickly to avoid delays in testing/reporting results.
- Lead and prioritize the continuous improvement of specimen quality and handling and ensures specimen processing follows an established schedule.
- Encourage communication within the area and specimen logistics consultative services to program staff, the general public, stakeholders and public health facilities staff.
- Partner with laboratory teams, commercial staff, and internal departments to facilitate smooth client experiences and address service challenges efficiently.
- Submit Quarterly Reports to communicate performance and goals to the Director.
- Enrolled in ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement training called the HHS Passport Program.
- Serve as a positive role model.
Molecular Biologist II
TX DSHS, SCID-SMA Team
Austin, TX
10.2017 - 09.2023
- Extracted DNA from whole blood dried on cotton filter NBS specimens then performed Real Time PCR with Thermo Fisher QuantStudio 12K Flex system to screen TX Newborns for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) on about 3000 specimens per day.
- Performed daily/weekly/monthly preventative maintenance on liquid handlers and PCR instruments.
- Provided Contract Tracing (via phone) to TX public during the COVID pandemic.
Medical Technologist III
TX DSHS, Endocrine Team
Austin, TX
11.2014 - 10.2017
- Screened around 3000 TX newborns daily for Cystic Fibrosis, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, and Hyperthyroidism using immunofluorometric ELISAs in Perkin Elmer AutoDELFIA instruments.
- Performed daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance on theAutoDELFIA automatic immunoassay system, the Perkin Elmer MultiPunch instrument, and the Wallac DBS Puncher.
Lab Technician III
TX DSHS Newborn Screening/Specimen Receiving
Austin, TX
03.2014 - 11.2014
- Ensured specimen acceptability according to TX DSHS requirements, receiving about 3,000 specimens per day.
- Assigned unsatisfactory codes to unacceptable specimens.
- Accession specimens into the LIMS.
- Cross-trained in the Environmental Chemistry Sample Receiving Lab: Inspect water and environmental samples for acceptability under program guidelines, generate sample labels, and deliver specimens to chemistry labs.
Intern
Bioo Scientific
Austin, TX
02.2014 - 03.2014
- Developed ELISA Test kits for detection of sulfamethazine for the Food and Feed Production department of the company.
- Performed QC on ELISA Test kits including Zeranol, Furazolidone (AOZ), Sulfonamide, Coliston, Chlorophenicol (CAP), and E.coli 0157:H.
Lab Assistant
Clinical Pathology Labs
Austin, TX
02.2014 - 03.2014
- Inspect and Accession blood specimens for the Clinical Chemistry Department (avg 6,000 a night).
- Open received specimen boxes as they arrived in the lab.
- Perform pour-over of requested repeat samples for both STD and Molecular Labs.
- Assign test codes to requested repeats at the end of the shift.
- Responsible for proper storage of specimens received and tested each night.
Microbiologist I (Contract Position)
Texas Department of State Health Services
Galveston, TX
09.2013 - 02.2014
- Collected, prepared, and stored samples tested for TB, HIV, Hep C, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia.
- Testing for HIV on the Bio-Rad Elite and Bio-Rad Evolis Instruments as well as the multisport test.
- Utilized the GenProbe Tigris to test for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in patient blood samples.
- Syphilis samples were screened using the Bio-Rad Bioplex 2200, and then further tested with RPR and TPPA tests.
- Utilized ELISAs to detect Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Q Fever, St. Louis Encephalitis.
- Performed haemagglutination test for plague on wildlife samples.
- Performed maintenance daily weekly and monthly on the Gen-Probe TIGRIS, EVOLIS and Bio-Rad Elite ELISA systems.
- Calibrated all pipettes for both labs using the Artel PCS2 Calibration System.
- Created and maintain excel inventory spreadsheets for both labs.
Intern
TX DSHS, Molecular Biology Lab
Austin, TX
05.2013 - 08.2013
- Performed Conventional Serotyping of Salmonella and Shigella samples with polyvalent and monovalent antisera using slide agglutination and tube agglutination tests.
- Validated a Multiplexed Real Time PCR Intestinal Parasite Screen.
- Assisted w/ the validation of a Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) PFGE Screen.
- Assisted w/ Luminex xMAP Salmonella Serotyping Assay kit validation and Bio-Plex 200 software validation.
- Performed QA/QC of SSI Diagnostica brand antisera.
- Performed PFGE of Salmonella, Shigella, and E.coli samples and compared genomic data to PulseNet database.
Head Lifeguard and Swim Lesson Program Manager
Galveston Health and Racquet Club
Galveston, TX
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Managed 13 lifeguards at a health club and day care facility that averaged 300 swimmers a day.
- Ensured pool was always adequately staffed according to facility policy.
- Trained staff on rescue procedures specific to the pool.
- Managed the center’s swim lesson program by giving guidance and support to 5 novice swim instructors.
Developmental Coach
Galveston Island U.S. Swim Team
Galveston, TX
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Functioned as the active Developmental Coach for the team.
- Coached learn-to-swim program for all ages.
Swimming Instructor/Program Director
Center for Fitness
Kerrville, TX
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Developed and managed a Swim America learn-to-swim program.
- Taught individual and group swim lessons to clients of all ages.
- Worked with local rehabilitation centers to develop weekly swim programs for groups of 8-12.
- Worked with many special needs clients individually and in groups.
- Managed staff consisting of 3 swim instructors.
- Provided triathlon training to individuals and groups.
Swimming lesson instructor
City of Midland Swim Team
Midland, TX
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Taught swimming lessons to groups of young learn-to-swim swimmers.
- Trained and certified to teach the Swim America program.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Biotechnology
Austin Community College
Austin TX09-2013
Marine Biology
Texas A&M University
Galveston TXSkills
- Laboratory management
- Process improvement
- Customer complaint resolution
- Molecular testing
- Effective communication
- Training and mentoring
- PCR techniques
- Proactive problem solving
- Quality assurance
- Data analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Maintenance and troubleshooting
Affiliations
• Member of HHS Office of Transformation and Innovation’s Continuous Improvement Community of Practice (CICoP) Group (2025)
• Certified “Explorer” by HHS Continuous Improvement Programs Division’s Passport Program (2025)
• National Science Foundation S-STEM Scholarship and associated “Open Algae” Biofuel research project member (2011-2013)
• Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk Student Organizer, Kerrville TX (2002-2006)
• American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Student Organizer Kerrville TX (2002-2006)
• Certified “Explorer” by HHS Continuous Improvement Programs Division’s Passport Program (2025)
• National Science Foundation S-STEM Scholarship and associated “Open Algae” Biofuel research project member (2011-2013)
• Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk Student Organizer, Kerrville TX (2002-2006)
• American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Student Organizer Kerrville TX (2002-2006)
Timeline
Medical Technician V - NBS Specimen Punching Room Coordinator
TX DSHS Newborn Screening Lab/Quality Improvement
09.2023 - Current
Molecular Biologist II
TX DSHS, SCID-SMA Team
10.2017 - 09.2023
Medical Technologist III
TX DSHS, Endocrine Team
11.2014 - 10.2017
Lab Technician III
TX DSHS Newborn Screening/Specimen Receiving
03.2014 - 11.2014
Intern
Bioo Scientific
02.2014 - 03.2014
Lab Assistant
Clinical Pathology Labs
02.2014 - 03.2014
Microbiologist I (Contract Position)
Texas Department of State Health Services
09.2013 - 02.2014
Intern
TX DSHS, Molecular Biology Lab
05.2013 - 08.2013
Head Lifeguard and Swim Lesson Program Manager
Galveston Health and Racquet Club
01.2004 - 01.2006
Developmental Coach
Galveston Island U.S. Swim Team
01.2004 - 01.2005
Swimming Instructor/Program Director
Center for Fitness
01.2002 - 01.2004
Swimming lesson instructor
City of Midland Swim Team
01.1997 - 01.1999
Associate of Applied Science - Biotechnology
Austin Community College
Marine Biology
Texas A&M University