Mary Dionne
Columbia,South Carolina
Summary
Dedicated Medical Laboratory Scientist with nearly three years of specialized experience in clinical microbiology within large academic and community hospital laboratories. Skilled in bacteriology, molecular diagnostics, blood culture processing, organism identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, quality assurance, instrument troubleshooting, and laboratory automation. Recognized for quickly mastering new technologies, maintaining high-quality standards, collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams, and training new laboratory staff. Passionate about microbiology and committed to delivering accurate, timely results that improve patient care.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Microbiology
Lexington Health
West Columbia, SC
05.2026 - Current
- Perform high-complexity microbiology testing on blood, urine, respiratory, wound, stool, and sterile site specimens in a high-volume hospital laboratory.
- Perform specimen setup, culture workup, organism identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing following CAP and CLIA standards.
- Operate and troubleshoot the Copan WASPLab automated specimen processing and culture inoculation.
- Perform molecular testing using Cepheid GeneXpert, BioFire FilmArray, and Abbott Alinity.
- Perform rapid antigen testing including Legionella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and other microbiology assays.
- Process positive blood cultures from BACTEC systems and communicate critical preliminary Gram stain results to physicians and nursing staff.
- Perform quality control, instrument maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting on microbiology instrumentation.
- Document patient testing, quality control, and maintenance activities within Epic Beaker LIS.
- Collaborate closely with infectious disease physicians, pharmacists, nursing staff, and infection prevention to ensure timely reporting of clinically significant results.
- Maintain compliance with CAP, CLIA, and laboratory quality assurance standards while prioritizing workflow in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Microbiology
Jefferson Health
Cherry Hill, NJ
12.2024 - 11.2025
- Perform high-complexity microbiology testing across blood, urine, respiratory, and wound specimens in a hospital laboratory setting.
- Conduct molecular testing using Cepheid GeneXpert and BioFire FilmArray, including instrument validation activities.
- Perform COVID-19 testing using LIAT molecular systems.
- Perform antigen testing including Streptococcus pneumoniae Antigen Card assays.
- Perform and interpret Giemsa-stained blood smears for blood parasites and conduct BinaxNOW Malaria antigen testing.
- Perform daily MALDI-TOF MS quality control, target plate spotting, and organism identification for benched cultures.
- Perform BD Phoenix AST setup, daily QC, and routine instrument maintenance.
- Participate in CAP proficiency surveys and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
- Report appropriate organisms and coordinate notifications with infection control and state health departments when required.
- Train and onboard new hires, providing instruction on microbiology workflows and instrumentation.
- Maintain accurate QC, maintenance, and patient documentation within the LIS.
Medical Technologist, Microbiology
UW-Health University Hospital
Madison, Wisconsin
06.2023 - 05.2025
- Performed molecular testing using Cepheid GeneXpert, including MRSA, MRSA Blood Culture, Group B Strep, and COVID-19 assays.
- Conducted BioFire FilmArray testing, including Upper Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, and Meningitis/Encephalitis panels.
- Performed kit-based diagnostic testing, including CLO test, H. pylori BreathTek, Cryptococcal Antigen, Fecal Leukocytes, and BinaxNOW Legionella urinary antigen.
- Prepared, stained, and interpreted Gram stains from respiratory, wound, urine, sterile site, positive blood culture, and CSF specimens, including cytospin preparations.
- Utilized acridine orange staining and fluorescent microscopy for fungal element detection.
- Pulled positive blood cultures from BACTEC, performed Gram stains, reported preliminary results, and plated to appropriate media.
- Set up, maintained, and performed QC on MicroScan systems for organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Entered, verified, and reported patient results in Epic Beaker LIS within a high-volume laboratory environment.
- Communicated critical results to physicians and nursing staff and documented notifications through call logs.
- Performed routine QC across microbiology assays and adhered to PPE, aseptic technique, and biosafety standards.
- Assisted with inventory management and restocking of laboratory supplies.
- Read and interpreted Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Gram stains and responded to incoming laboratory calls.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Science
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI05.2023
Skills
Instrumentation
Abbott Alinity m, MALDI-TOF (Bruker), BD Phoenix M50, BACTEC, BioFire FilmArray, Cepheid GeneXpert, Roche LIAT
Automated ID/AST & Culture Systems
BD Phoenix, MALDI-TOF MS, MicroScan, BACTEC
Microbiology Techniques
Culture setup, Gram staining, BV Gram stain interpretation, fungal staining, cytospin preparation, Giemsa staining, fluorescent microscope
Laboratory Operations and Compliance
Epic Beaker LIS, quality control, instrument maintenance, specimen processing, specimen triage and workflow prioritization, critical result reporting & clinical communication, CAP standards, PPE, aseptic techniques
Certification
- ASCP Microbiology (M) Certification Exam scheduled for September 2026
- Continuing education focused on clinical microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory quality systems
Timeline
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Microbiology
Lexington Health
05.2026 - Current
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Microbiology
Jefferson Health
12.2024 - 11.2025
Medical Technologist, Microbiology
UW-Health University Hospital
06.2023 - 05.2025
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Science
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee