Lourdes Contreras
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dedicated Clinical Laboratory Technician skilled in specimen processing and quality control. Expertise in training new staff and improving workflow efficiency through proactive troubleshooting and compliance monitoring. Committed to delivering high-quality laboratory services and fostering team collaboration.
Overview
2
2
Languages
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
CLINICAL LAB TECHNICIAN
UNC REX
Raleigh, NC
10.2023 - 10.2024
- Consulted with healthcare providers and laboratory supervisor on specimen suitability, procedures, media preparation, and instrument function checks to ensure optimal testing outcomes.
- Investigates and troubleshoots problems with equipment, procedures, specimens, reagents and/or workflow.
- Monitored daily clinical operations to ensure compliance with protocols and standards, enhancing quality of laboratory services.
- Provides quality control and equipment maintenance.
- Participated in team initiatives and special projects to streamline laboratory processes and improve overall efficiency.
- Assisted in teaching clinical laboratory science students and new employees during practical sessions.
- Performs specimen processing procedures.
CLINICAL TECHNICIAN II
Duke Health University System
Durham, NC
12.2022 - 10.2023
- Prepared and initiated special tests and procedures, including cytogenetics, general laboratory, Point-of-Care Testing, urinalysis without a microscope, phlebotomy, and specimen management, to support accurate diagnostics.
- Executed quality control, safety, and infection control procedures to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations, promoting a safe laboratory environment.
- Positively ID all patient specimens, verify all laboratory labels/requisitions, ensuring a valid order. Properly sort all specimens.
- Received and processed specimens according to laboratory area procedures and protocols.
- Received specimens into the laboratory using Beaker for processing.
- Utilized standard equipment to ensure accurate patient identification by maintaining clinical laboratory records and registering patients/specimens.
- Communicated professionally with patients, families, and medical personnel to identify issues and facilitate resolutions, ensuring clarity in laboratory records and procedures.
- Distributed specimens, supplies, and reports to appropriate laboratory staff and performed messenger activities.
- Maintained inventory of laboratory supplies and stocked carts and hand trays.
- Perform a variety of routine and specialized procedures.
- Utilize various hospital information systems and software.
- Assist with maintenance of specimens and/or slides.
- Perform routine maintenance as required by laboratory procedures.
- Assist with word processing, miscellaneous office tasks, and maintaining office records.
CLINICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT
Stroger Hospital
Chicago, IL
11.2018 - 12.2022
- Process specimens, including urine, stool samples, sputum, blood, surgery pathology samples, and body fluids for contracted laboratories to ensure proper handling, temperature, and delivery; maintain specimen integrity and order accuracy.
- Label, receive, centrifuge specimens and deliver to proper department.
- Set up, maintained and verified sterility of lab equipment and tools.
- Monitored specimen tracking by initiating, dating, and noting collection times to maintain integrity.
- Led laboratory operations and managed staff to ensure efficient workflow.
- Trained new associates in laboratory procedures and standards.
- Developed team performance through training, mentoring, and motivating employees.
- Troubleshot the Cennexus Automation Line and performed daily maintenance.
- Prepared samples for shipping and disposed of bodily fluids in proper containers.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Updated and maintained the laboratory staffing schedule for efficiency..
PHLEBOTOMIST
LabCorp
Chicago, IL
05.2018 - 11.2018
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles, and straight needles.
- Drew blood from veins by vacuum tube, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Conducted venipuncture and other CT procedures.
- Accurately labeled vacutainer tubes with patient name, date and time of collection.
- Documented collected specimens by initiating, dating, and noting times of collection to ensure accurate tracking.
- Monitored patients for reactions and verified sample quality.
- Protected patients by following infection control, sharps disposal and biohazardous waste disposal procedures.
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Communicated with patients to gather information for lab records, alleviate fear or anxiety, and encourage cooperation.
LEGAL PERSONAL INJURY OFFICE MANAGER
Whiting Law Group
Chicago, IL
01.2009 - 04.2018
- Shouldered administrative duties for legal staff such as scheduling, filing, responding to inquiries, and answering phones.
- Managed complex schedules for attorneys and lawyers with court dates and client meetings.
- Worked with other law offices and state and federal offices to obtain evidence and legal documentation pertaining to cases.
- Streamlined office operations by automating client correspondence and record tracking to enhance communication efficiency.
- Coordinated fiscal schedules and prioritized expenditures based on case significance to support financial stability.
- Negotiated payment agreements with vendors for office supplies and technology to ensure cost-effectiveness.
- Managed costs and billing and resolved financial discrepancies effectively through organizational management of account information using QuickBooks software.
- Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/AR, deposits and recordkeeping.
- Prepared Closing statements on cases settled. Finalized settlement figures and coordinated with staff to physically close the file.
- Print and disburse settlement checks.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients and updated client records.
- Communicated with clients and set up remote video and telephone conferences.
- Answered central telephone system and directed calls accordingly.
- Answered high-volume, multi-line telephone, directing callers to appropriate company personnel.
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Handled multiple tasks and met time-sensitive deadlines.
- Resolved customer problems and complaints.
- Responded to inquiries from callers seeking information.
- Monitored premises, screened visitors, updated logs and issued passes to maintain security.
- Oversaw appointment scheduling and itinerary coordination for both clients and personnel.
- Arranged corporate and office conferences for company employees and guests.
- Managed office operations while scheduling appointments for department managers.
- Compared vendor prices and negotiated optimal savings.
Education
Certification - Phlebotomy
Chicago School of Phlebotomy
Naperville, IL07-2018
High School Diploma -
John F. Kennedy
Chicago, IL05-2003
Skills
- Infection control expertise
- Specimen management
- Laboratory record management
- CPR certification
- Problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking abilities
- Team collaboration
- Staff onboarding
- Communication skills
LANGUAGES
English Native or Bilingual, Spanish Native or Bilingual
Languages
English
Professional
Spanish
Professional
Certification
- phlebotomist
Timeline
CLINICAL LAB TECHNICIAN
UNC REX
10.2023 - 10.2024
CLINICAL TECHNICIAN II
Duke Health University System
12.2022 - 10.2023
CLINICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT
Stroger Hospital
11.2018 - 12.2022
PHLEBOTOMIST
LabCorp
05.2018 - 11.2018
LEGAL PERSONAL INJURY OFFICE MANAGER
Whiting Law Group
01.2009 - 04.2018
Certification - Phlebotomy
Chicago School of Phlebotomy
High School Diploma -
John F. Kennedy