Melanie Guerra
Hopatcong,NJ
Summary
Versatile Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist with 12 years of experience supporting molecular and chemistry assays, standard testing procedures, quality assurance, SOP development, and regulated clinical laboratory operations. Currently completing a master’s degree in Information Technology Project Management, with developing expertise in project planning, risk management, stakeholder communication, process improvement, and technology implementation. Brings a strong combination of clinical laboratory knowledge, analytical problem-solving, validation support, documentation accuracy, and cross-functional collaboration to healthcare technology and IT project coordination roles.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Quest Diagnostics
Clifton, NJ
04.2024 - Current
- Support molecular laboratory operations across multiple platforms while maintaining turnaround time, quality, accuracy, and compliance standards in a high-volume clinical environment.
- Coordinate and support validation activities, including Cobas 8800 HBV qualitative validation, comparison studies, accuracy assessments, and intra-assay/inter-assay evaluations.
- Provide operational reporting support through Power BI TAT backup monitoring and iSensix reporting to help track workflow performance and identify pending workload concerns.
- Train and mentor staff on HPV, women’s health, releasing, editing, and bench workflows, supporting onboarding, process consistency, and team readiness.
- Collaborate with laboratory leadership and peers to troubleshoot workflow issues, address pending and add-on requests, and maintain continuity during staffing shortages and peak-volume periods.
- Support quality and compliance initiatives, including EMQC updates, new lot implementation, receive date changes, documentation accuracy, and regulated laboratory processes.
- Demonstrate project management readiness through validation support, workflow coordination, staff training, operational reporting, quality documentation, and cross-functional communication.
Analytical Chemist/ Molecular Medical Technologist
Centers Health Care
Cedar Knolls, NJ
01 2022 - 04.2024
- Independently preforms RT-PCR runs on Thermofisher 7500 and Hamilton/Vela.
- Operates complex multiplexed systems such as Quantiferon TB Gold Plus, BioFire, Luminex, Solana, BD Affirm, BD Max and Panther.
- Carried out quality control, proficiency testing, validations, calibrations and other quality activities to verify performance of clinical assays and equipment.
- Performed tests such as drug purification, hormones detection, vitamins, and trace metals using the HPLC, LC-MS, and ICP-MS
- Accountable for ensuring accuracy of test results and related analysis to established standard procedures and regulatory requirements for quality assurance, infection control, specimen handling, processing, and documenting analysis of patient results.
- Trained and oriented colleagues to perform and interpret tests.
Medical Laboratory Technician
Trugenx Diagnostics/Scientia Diagnostics
Lyndhurst, NJ
11.2017 - 01.2022
- Independently performs RT-PCR and Sample ID via Agena massARRAY MALDI-TOF, Thermocyclers, Thermo Scientific Kingfisher, QuantStudio.
- Responsible for validation and development of EUA protocol for Sars-Cov-2 testing on Agena Massarray.
- Prepared master mixes for Sars-Cov-2, respiratory pathogens, and pharmacogenetics testing on a daily basis.
- Wrote Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines for Sars-Cov-2 testing and underwent certification via NJ State Dept, CLIA, CAP, and ELISA.
- Performed correlation studies, accuracy/proficiency tests, and calibrations on all platform to meet specific production requirements.
- Maintained and ordered lab supplies and consulted with executives on platform and product usage. Saved money through vendor optimization.
- Coordinated daily with client services and physicians with specimen issues, inconclusive testing, or rejections for over 200 accounts.
- Oversaw daily operations as Team Lead, to ensure high levels of productivity and optimize operation services, facilitate requisition review and record error rates. Additional responsibilities include, establishing clear training protocols/SOPs, training new employees and set up of new accounts.
- Performed drug purification testing and validity screening in urine specimens using LC-MS.
Clinical Informational Manager
East Orange General Hospital ED
07.2015 - 12.2017
- Assisted over 25 providers each shift in expediting Emergency Department patient flow and accurate documentation.
- Facilitated acquisition of diagnostic test results from ancillary departments and compiled results.
- Accompanied clinicians into patient rooms and transcribe clinician dictations/notes
- Attentive to all conversations pertaining to patient care between clinician and other healthcare providers, patients, family, etc. and documented relevant information into EMR for multiple clinicians simultaneously.
- Gathered and input pertinent patient information from external sources (e.g. outpatient lab tests, nursing home/EMS records).
- Managed phone calls to clinics, pharmacies, etc. as requested by clinician and kept them informed of diagnostic results.
Education
MBA - IT Project Management
Capella University
12-2026
Bachelor of Science - Veterinary And Biomedical Sciences
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA12-2016
Skills
Project & Operations: Project Coordination Validation Support Workflow Improvement Stakeholder Communication Risk Identification Process Improvement Training & Mentorship Cross-Functional Collaboration Change Management Documentation Accuracy
Technology & Reporting: Power BI Reporting iSensix Reporting SQL Smartsheet Python Data Analysis Laboratory Information Systems Microsoft Excel Microsoft Teams Dashboard Monitoring Operational Metrics
Additional Information
- Chancellor's Award August 2012-Mary 2014
- Dean's List January 2014-May 2014
- National Society of Leadership and Success August 2014
Timeline
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Quest Diagnostics
04.2024 - Current
Medical Laboratory Technician
Trugenx Diagnostics/Scientia Diagnostics
11.2017 - 01.2022
Clinical Informational Manager
East Orange General Hospital ED
07.2015 - 12.2017
Analytical Chemist/ Molecular Medical Technologist
Centers Health Care
01 2022 - 04.2024
MBA - IT Project Management
Capella University
Bachelor of Science - Veterinary And Biomedical Sciences
Pennsylvania State University
Experience
Cobas 8800 HBV Validation Support — Quest Diagnostics
Supported validation activities for HBV testing on the Cobas 8800 platform, including comparison studies, accuracy review, intra-assay/inter-assay evaluation, documentation, and workflow coordination.
Laboratory Automation Implementation Support — Quest Diagnostics
Assisted with implementation of robotic automation for laboratory testing workflows by supporting operational readiness, workflow transition, staff adaptation, and process improvement.
Workflow Reporting & Turnaround Time Monitoring — Quest Diagnostics
Provided Power BI TAT backup support and iSensix reporting to help monitor department performance, track workload concerns, and support data-driven workflow decisions.
Penn State Equine Research Team Researcher August 2014- May 2016
Conducted research on the following:
· Comparison to time of foal parturition versus amount of oxytocin production. Analyzed oxytocin volume released during labor and its effects on nurturing foals. Assisted in delivery of foals.
Executive Board of Penn State THON August 2014-December 2016
· Developed strong communication and customer service skills as the merchandise creator and distributor for THON- the largest student run philanthropy to raise money for pediatric cancer.
Washington DC National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine June 2013-July 2013
· Developed leadership skills and engaged in a first-responder simulation.
· Practiced key skills for basics of wound care and surgical techniques.