LaTisa McKenzie
Jacksonville,Florida
Summary
Seeking a challenging position as an Anatomic Pathology Manager where I can utilize my education and years of experience while embracing opportunities for long term personal and professional development.
Experienced with team leadership and operational management. Utilizes strong organizational skills to optimize workflow and improve team efficiency. Track record of fostering collaborative work environment to achieve collective goals.
Diligent Anatomic Pathology Manager with proven ability to manage and lead teams effectively. Successfully implemented process improvements that enhanced operational efficiency and team productivity. Demonstrated strong problem-solving and communication skills to drive team success.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
UF Health Jacksonville
11.2021 - Current
- Directly supervise and coordinates the daily activities of histology team including all scheduling and work assignments
- Coordinates and conducts training for al histology-related activities, including slide preparation, staining, paraffin embedding, special stains, IHC and other histology lab techniques, proper documentation, equipment usage and maintenance, and safety precautions
- Complete documents progressive training and ensure staff is up to date with Standard Operating Procedures.
- Contributes to the development of histology specific training plans and materials to standardize training for all new technicians
- Reviews, updates and assists with the development of departmental Standard Operating Procedures and forms
- Identifies problems or inefficiencies in the histology lab and work with management and technical staff to improve and problem solve
- Oversee the yearly budget of the department and work with vendors on capital equipment needed in all areas of the laboratories
- Monitor the daily purchasing of supplies
- Bring on any new testing as requested by pathologists
- Work with lead techs to validate Instrumentation and assay
- Maintain a clean compliant lab and ensure all logbooks are reviewed and correct
- Maintains laboratory equipment according to applicable SOPs
- Assist manager with various administrative tasks such ensuring equipment and products are available for various studies, preparation of the daily/monthly schedule, preparing documentation
- Develop and implement laboratory related policies, procedure and regulations that successfully ensure compliance of OSHA, CLIA, CAP and JCAHO
- Continuously update all policies and procedures that pertain to the labs and associate policies with up-to-date CAP guidelines
- Create training programs for Histotechnologist, pathologist assistants and Residents
- Monitor each staff member every six months and provide HR with a competency assessment tool to ensure all staff are adequate to perform technical work defined in their individual performance program
- Oversee Gross room Renovation
- Collaborated with Digital Path Lab Director for new platform in Digital scanner
- Worked on various committees TJC Provision of Care and Discharge of Deceased Patient
CHO-Chemical Hygiene Officer
Sonic Healthcare
07.2019 - 11.2021
- Provides assistance to faculty and staff in the development of standard operating procedures for proper use of chemicals and other hazardous materials
- Provides instruction or training on practical and regulatory aspects of safety and health in a laboratory setting
- Assist the Lab Safety Officer with new employee training
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflows, reducing redundancies and increasing operational efficiency.
Histology& Pathology Supervise/Coordinator
Memorial Hospital
05.2016 - 07.2019
- Directly supervise and coordinates the daily activities of histology team including all scheduling and work assignments
- Coordinates and conducts training for al histology-related activities, including slide preparation, staining, paraffin embedding, special stains, IHC and other histology lab techniques, proper documentation, equipment usage and maintenance, and safety precautions
- Complete documents progressive training and ensure staff is up to date with Standard Operating Procedures
- Contributes to the development of histology specific training plans and materials to standardize training for all new technicians
- Reviews, updates and assists with the development of departmental Standard Operational Procedures and forms
- Identifies problems or inefficiencies in the histology lab and work with management and technical staff to improve and problem solve
- Maintain a clean compliant lab and ensure all logbooks are reviewed and correct
- Maintains laboratory equipment according to applicable SOPs
- Assist manager with various administrative tasks such ensuring equipment and products are available for various studies, preparation of the daily/monthly schedule, preparing documentation
- Develop and implement laboratory related policies, procedure and regulations that successfully ensure compliance of OSHA, CLIA, CAP and JCAHO
Lead Histotechnologist
Memorial Hospital
06.1992 - 05.2016
- Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination using microtome
- Mount tissue specimens on glass slides
- Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscope
- Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax
- Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements
- Maintain laboratory equipment such as microscopes, microtomes, automatic stainers, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers and water baths
- Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify tissue samples
- Prepare and use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostics purposes
- Freeze tissue specimens
- Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases
- Perform procedures associated with immunohistochemistry to prepare specimens for microscopy
- Supervise histology laboratory and gross room activities
- Teach students and other staff
- Maintain effective laboratory operation by adhering to standards of collection and laboratory safety
- Assist pathologist or other physicians in collecting cell samples Fine Needle Aspirations, Endobronchial Ultrasound and or Bone marrow procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Healthcare Administration
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL12.2025
Associate Degree of Science - Histology
Florida College
Jacksonville, Florida06.1992
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
- Coordination
- Education and Training
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Troubleshooting
- Operation Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Conflict resolution
- Priority management
- Safety protocols
- Task delegation
Certification
- Florida license in Clinical Laboratory Supervisor, 1992
- American Society of Clinical Pathology, Histotechnologist, 1992
Timeline
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
UF Health Jacksonville
11.2021 - Current
CHO-Chemical Hygiene Officer
Sonic Healthcare
07.2019 - 11.2021
Histology& Pathology Supervise/Coordinator
Memorial Hospital
05.2016 - 07.2019
Lead Histotechnologist
Memorial Hospital
06.1992 - 05.2016
Associate Degree of Science - Histology
Florida College
Bachelor of Science - Healthcare Administration
University of West Florida
Similar Profiles
Aiza Luisa SuansingAiza Luisa Suansing
Head Nurse RN - EP at UF HEALTH JACKSONVILLEHead Nurse RN - EP at UF HEALTH JACKSONVILLE
Deborah ClarkDeborah Clark
Perioperative Services Charge Registered Nurse at UF Health JacksonvillePerioperative Services Charge Registered Nurse at UF Health Jacksonville
Jasmine StewardJasmine Steward
CSR (Temp) at UF Health JacksonvilleCSR (Temp) at UF Health Jacksonville