Nikelia Taylor

• Oversee daily operations in multiple departments, including Chemistry, Hematology, and Urinalysis
• Manage over 10 team members, set schedules and improved workflow to increase team performance.
• Core competencies include strategic planning, process/quality improvement, operational/capital budget monitoring, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and staff development.
• Commended by Vice President of Ortho Clinical for participating in first virtual validation of chemistry analyzers.

Key Contributions:

• Responsible for start up of moderate complexity and waived clinics
• Maintained fully compliant, organized and quality-controlled facility.
• Optimized processes in order to improve accuracy, speed and efficiency of laboratory operations.
• Responsible for validation and implementation of chemistry analyzers (Vitros 7600 and Vitros ECi).
• Assists in development, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of any coding compliance programs for clinical laboratory.
• Improved operations by working with team members and customers to find workable solutions.
• Identified and understood regulatory requirements to comply with laws and regulations.
• Successful participation and compliance of CLIA inspection.
• Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts

Key Contributions:

• Identified and resolved unexpected results, directing secondary testing measures or collection efforts.
• Strong focus on Customer Service assuring that laboratory provides timely quality product to all hospital departments as well as patients.
• Ongoing development, motivation, leadership and education of employees.
• Utilized expertise in microbiology, chemistry, and hematology to help with diagnosis of medical issues.

• Maintained department operations including personnel management training and competency while serving as technical resource for complex transfusion problems.
• Key contributions:.
• Participation in interdisciplinary teams for oversight of product utilization management,.
• Training of pharmacy students.
• Participating in supervisory functions while continuing to work as bench CLS.
• Maintained confidentiality of all patient information to conform to HIPAA, internal, and other regulatory standards.
• Isolating DNA from buccal swabs of patients undergoing pain therapy in different clinics across United States.
• Performed next generation sequencing (NGS) on cell free DNA patient samples and analysis.

• Upheld laboratory protocols dictated by facility, governing agencies, or special project requirements.
• Observes and evaluates test results, and records necessary data on laboratory reports and notifies supervisory staff in time related to problems
• Accessions and registers requests on patient specimens for tests and products. Performs blood group and Rh type (ABO/RH) and antibody identification by using reagents, tubes, centrifuge to read and interpret results and then enter results into computer. Performs cross-match of patient specimens and donor blood for transfusion by using tubes, centrifuge, and specimens from patients and donors. Performs all other immunohematology tests as requested according to standard operating procedure
• Performs assays of biological specimens according to established policies and procedures, utilizing specific instruments, equipment, reagents, and techniques
• Maintains cleanliness of work and surrounding area, and follows established safety and infection control procedures
• Performs variety of diversified and complex laboratory tests
• Under supervision of Blood Bank Supervisor, may perform variety of teaching duties related to training of students, new employees, etc., and participates in ongoing education assignments

• Led quality control diagnostic testing, documenting variances in results and blood product performance.
• Mentored newly hired employees on operating equipment and safety and developed training manual to use for reference.
• Undertakes original research that includes developing and confirming highly sensitive, reliable assay methodologies for rapid and accurate analysis of drug analytes in biological fluids.
• Performs complex analytical methods on biological matrices, often involving problem solving situations.
• Responsible for conducting Bio-analysis method development, validation and sample analysis using LC-MS/MS for quantitative analysis of analytes in biological matrices.
• Applies and interprets scientific theories, concepts, techniques, and regulatory requirements in bioanalytical and mass spectrometry studies and accepts leadership role in developing scientific approaches.
• Responds to unscheduled deadlines, client needs, crises, etc. without neglecting other duties.
• Prepares SOPs and other documents such as validation protocols, validation reports, and data reports for testing results

• Performed routine maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment to produce accurate results.
• Conducted chemical analysis of blood, urine or spinal fluid to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
• Experience in working independently without direct supervision on midnight shift in a high complexity laboratory.
• Utilized expertise in microbiology, chemistry, blood back, and hematology to help with diagnosis of medical issues.
• Consistently commended for timely, high-quality completion of both routine and stat laboratory assays of patient samples (including blood and other body fluids specimens).