Mary Mennel Torreliza
University of California San Francisco
Murrieta,CA
15
years of professional experience
Experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientist skilled in instrument troubleshooting and quality improvement initiatives. Adept in mentoring staff and advocating for patient safety, with a commitment to maintaining high standards of laboratory excellence.
Work History
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
12 Years 1 Month- Performed and verified hematology, chemistry, immunology, and microbiology testing for high-volume patient specimens, ensuring accurate and timely reporting to support clinical decision-making
- Operated and maintained analyzers across all departments including Sysmex XN-3000/XN-9000 and CellaVision (hematology), SP10 (slide prep), Stago Expert (coagulation), Abbott Architect, Siemens Atellica, Dimension Vista, and Centaur (chemistry/immunology), Beckman Coulter DxC and DxI, Iris iDXU and Arkray (urinalysis/microbiology), and RapidPoint 500 and ABL 90 (blood gas)
- Performed blood bank testing including ABO/Rh typing, antibody screening, and crossmatching on Ortho Sure Vue and Immucor Echo automated systems
- Conducted antibody identification work-ups using multiple blood bank methodologies (gel, solid phase, and tube testing) to resolve complex or clinically significant antibody cases
- Identified a process gap involving crossmatch on unverified specimens and proposed a confirmatory ABO/Rh and antibody screen against prior results to verify patient identity before release, strengthening transfusion safety protocol
- Maintained personal accountability for transfusion safety, ensuring all procedural steps were properly completed and verified prior to blood product release regardless of prior approvals
- Performed daily QC, calibration, and maintenance across multiple instrument platforms to ensure compliance with CLIA/CAP standards
- Utilized Epic Beaker and Sunquest LIS systems to manage specimen workflow, result entry, and result verification across all lab departments
- Resolved LIS interface issues between analyzers and Beaker/Sunquest to minimize result delays
- Diagnosed and resolved instrument malfunctions across multiple platforms, minimizing testing downtime and maintaining lab turnaround time goals
- Served as a resource for complex troubleshooting, escalating to vendor technical support when needed and documenting corrective actions per protocol
- Mentored and trained junior Clinical Laboratory Scientists on proper testing procedures, instrument operation, and troubleshooting techniques
- Provided hands-on guidance to new hires during onboarding, improving competency and confidence on the bench
- Proactively identified and voiced process improvement opportunities to leadership, contributing to enhanced patient safety and result accuracy
- Advocated for best practices in specimen handling and result verification, reducing risk of pre-analytical and analytical errors
- Participated in root cause analysis and corrective action discussions to strengthen lab quality and patient care outcomes
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
11 Years 10 Months- Mentored junior staff on best practices in specimen handling and analysis techniques.
- Documented test results using computerized and manual transcription methods.
- Maintained strict adherence to prescribed lab safety guidelines and operational instructions.
- Performed complex clinical tests on various samples types, utilizing advanced instrumentation and analytical techniques.
- Ensured accurate test results through diligent quality control measures and strict adherence to laboratory guidelines.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
2 Years 5 Months- Performed hematology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, and blood bank testing on pediatric/neonatal patients, adapting to limited sample volumes
- Handled pediatric blood bank testing including ABO/Rh typing, antibody screening, and crossmatching with extra care for small-volume specimens
- Verified irradiated, CMV-negative, and leukoreduced blood products per pediatric/neonatal transfusion protocols
- Applied extra patient ID verification steps for pediatric/neonatal patients to prevent mistransfusion
- Coordinated with NICU/PICU staff to ensure timely, accurate delivery of blood products for critical cases
Clinical Laboratory Scientist- Data Analysis
2 Years 7 Months- Analyzed GC/GC-MS data for clinical pain medication monitoring, confirming presence and levels of prescribed opioids and controlled substances
- Reviewed chromatographic results to confirm drug identity, validate against QC standards, and rule out interference before reporting
- Flagged unexpected results (missing medications, non-prescribed substances) to physicians to support safe pain management and detect potential misuse
- Maintained GC instrumentation and troubleshot performance issues to ensure reliable, accurate testing
- Reported results in compliance with CLIA/CAP standards and chain-of-custody protocols
Education
Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology
Skills
Multi-department generalist: Hematology
Chemistry
Immunology
Microbiology
Blood Bank
LIS Systems: Epic Beaker
Sunquest
Hematology: Sysmex XN-3000/XN-9000
CellaVision
SP10 slide maker/stainer
Chemistry/Immunology: Abbott Architect
Siemens Atellica
Siemens Dimension Vista
Siemens Centaur
Beckman Coulter DxC and DxI
Coagulation: Stago Expert
Urinalysis/Microbiology: Iris iDXU
Arkray
Blood Gas: RapidPoint 500
ABL 90
Blood Bank: Ortho Sure Vue (automated)
Immucor Echo
antibody screening and identification work-ups using multiple methodologies (gel
solid phase
tube)
Instrument troubleshooting
QC/QA
calibration
and preventive maintenance
CLIA/CAP compliance and regulatory documentation
Staff mentorship
training
and onboarding
Patient safety advocacy and quality improvement initiatives
Timeline
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Sutter Health- Mills Peninsula
10.2014 - 08.2026Read More
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
University of California San Francisco
08.2014 - CurrentRead More
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Rady's Children's Hospital
02.2012 - 07.2014Read More
Clinical Laboratory Scientist- Data Analysis
Millennium Health
12.2011 - 07.2014Read More
University of Santo Tomas
Bachelor of Science from Medical Technology
Read More