Pamela Powers
Sioux City,IA
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lab Assistant
Unity Hospital- Sunnybrook Lab
Sioux City, IA
12.2023 - Current
- Enhanced patient experience through compassionate care and communication during blood draw procedures.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy in labeling and tracking specimens, ensuring proper testing and timely results.
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Excelled in high-pressure situations, maintaining composure and professionalism during peak hours and emergency scenarios.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Demonstrated adaptability by effectively performing blood draws on diverse patient populations, including pediatric, geriatric, and challenging cases.
- Established and maintained positive working relationships with patients, staff and clinical personnel to build trust and camaraderie.
- Improved patient comfort by efficiently drawing blood samples using various techniques such as venipuncture and capillary puncture.
- Assembled tourniquets, needles, and blood collection devices to prepare work trays.
- Packaged and shipped specimens to central lab daily.
- Used personal protective equipment correctly to protect coworkers and patients.
- Organized daily work based on collection priority.
- Addressed questions and concerns to educate patients on collection process and procedures.
- Ensured uninterrupted service by properly maintaining phlebotomy equipment, including centrifuges, needles, and tourniquets.
- Actively engaged with patients to educate them on proper post-draw care, reducing potential complications and ensuring their comfort throughout the process.
- Contributed to a reduction in wait times by quickly assessing patient needs, prioritizing cases based on urgency, and efficiently completing blood draw procedures.
- Adhered to HIPAA standards and maintained patient confidentiality in all interactions.
- Protected patients by following infection control, sharps disposal, and biohazardous waste disposal procedures.
Lab Assistant
MercyOne Hospital
North Sioux City, SD
08.2022 - 12.2023
- Managed specimen sample handling, receiving, storage and inventory.
- Logged samples correctly into computerized tracking system.
- Maintained lab by calibrating equipment and cleaning surfaces and items used.
- Enhanced laboratory efficiency by maintaining and organizing equipment, supplies, and samples.
- Assisted with support duties such as filling products, labeling products, testing samples and taking inventory.
- Demonstrated competence in collecting lab samples for testing.
- Demonstrated flexibility working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
- Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to changing priorities or new assignments as needed within the lab environment.
- Provided assistance in training new lab personnel on proper techniques, safety guidelines, and protocol adherence for smooth integration into the team environment.
- Assisted with ordering supplies and equipment, calibrating instruments and preventive maintenance.
- Improved laboratory safety through regular inspection and maintenance of equipment, as well as adherence to safety guidelines.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information pertaining to research findings, methodologies, or patient data when required by regulations or ethical standards.
- Prioritized tasks efficiently to meet project deadlines while maintaining high-quality results in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
- Supported research projects by conducting experiments and recording data accurately.
- Collaborated effectively with external vendors for procurement of lab supplies while ensuring budgetary constraints were met.
- Ordered supplies, obtained pricing and quotes, prepared purchase requests and maintained organized expense log.
Healthcare Specialist (68W)
Active Army
Fort Hood, TX
08.2014 - 03.2017
- Mentored junior healthcare specialists in developing technical skills and adhering to safety protocols during critical situations.
- Contributed to the development of unit policies and procedures by participating in regular staff meetings, staying current on evidence-based practice guidelines, and providing feedback based on clinical experience.
- Expedited critical decision-making processes during emergencies by effectively communicating with other healthcare professionals under high-pressure situations.
- Provided expert wound care management to trauma patients with complex injuries, promoting healing and reducing infection rates.
- Educated military personnel on first aid techniques and preventative medicine practices to reduce injury rates within the unit.
- Increased soldier readiness through regular health screenings, vaccinations, and preventive medicine initiatives.
- Responded to emergencies with speed, efficiency, and knowledgeable assistance.
- Improved overall team efficiency by maintaining accurate records of supplies, equipment, and medical treatments administered.
- Established field medical stations to provide triage and stabilization services during large-scale operations.
- Served as a vital communication link between frontline units and supporting medical elements during combat operations.
- Demonstrated adaptability when faced with limited resources or challenging environmental conditions while delivering quality patient care.
- Produced reports on equipment status, incidences, personnel readiness and intelligence for superiors.
- Trained teams on emergency situation preparedness and integration of tactical planning, equipment maintenance and weapon use.
- Trained over multinational partners, contractors and foreign nationals to develop warfighting and defense capabilities.
- Conducted thorough patient assessments, identifying injuries and illnesses requiring immediate attention.
- Collected patient medical information and details about current conditions, symptoms and complaints.
- Conducted realistic training scenarios to prepare medical team members and provide realistic battle or mass-casualty scenarios.
- Managed large and diverse group of personnel consisting of both American and foreign defense forces.
Healthcare Specialist (68W)
Active Army
Fort Bragg, NC
10.2008 - 08.2014
- Established trust with patients by demonstrating a genuine concern for their wellbeing and maintaining open lines of communication throughout the treatment process.
- Assisted physicians with surgical procedures, ensuring proper sterilization protocols were followed for optimal results.
- Mentored junior healthcare specialists in developing technical skills and adhering to safety protocols during critical situations.
- Conducted comprehensive physical examinations for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Maintained patient records in accordance with HIPAA guidelines, safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure.
- Conducted regular equipment inspections to ensure proper functioning during emergency scenarios, minimizing risk of complications due to malfunctioning devices.
- Responded swiftly to field emergencies under challenging conditions while maintaining composure under pressure.
- Managed inventory of medical supplies, ensuring adequate stock levels for timely response to emergencies.
- Participated in ongoing training to stay current on medical advancements and best practices for patient care.
- Administered CPR, oxygen and other life-saving medical treatments.
- Assisted with lifting and moving patients.
- Followed all safety protocols and took necessary precautions while providing care.
- Utilized communication devices to maintain contact with supervisors.
- Dispensed medications and monitored patient reactions.
- Performed medical tests and collected samples for laboratory analysis.
Education
None -
Iowa Lakes Community College
Estherville, IACentral Texas College
Killeen, TXSkills
- Trained in HIPAA compliance
- Proficient in phlebotomy
- Phlebotomy knowledge
- Documentation/inventory of phlebotomy/lab supplies
- Positive Attitude
- Attention to Detail
Certification
ASCP, PBT, 2022
Timeline
Lab Assistant
Unity Hospital- Sunnybrook Lab
12.2023 - Current
Lab Assistant
MercyOne Hospital
08.2022 - 12.2023
Healthcare Specialist (68W)
Active Army
08.2014 - 03.2017
Healthcare Specialist (68W)
Active Army
10.2008 - 08.2014
None -
Iowa Lakes Community College
Central Texas College
ASCP, PBT, 2022