Valerie Cerera

• Performs specimen processing consisting of receiving, sorting, identifying, and labeling blood, saliva, DNA, and other biological specimens.

• Enters patient and specimen information in various data bases such as GreenLIMS, Sunquest, Epic/Beaker, and RedCAP.

• Reviews clinical histories and pedigrees to determine family members tested and appropriate test orders.

• Managed the scanning of paperwork between various teams such as the laboratory directors and billing team.

• Serve as point person for providers and patients regarding genetic test choice, ordering processes, and any work flow issues.

• Act as liaison between ordering providers, genetic testing laboratories, and the Genetic Pre-Authorization Billing team.

• Answer and re-direct phone calls, voicemails, and emails inquiries from clients. Triage inquiries to the proper personnel.

• Managed and coordinate sample kits send outs to patients and providers.

• Email/Fax genetic testing results to clinic genetic counselors, physicians, and other healthcare providers/clients.

• Meet with students rotating through the lab and explained the accessioning and billing process.

• Collaborated with laboratory genetic counselor and Seattle Children's Hospital by creating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP's) for an auto activation policy for exome testing and saliva kit request procedure.

• Trained new hire on accessioning protocols.

• Gathered DNA samples for biweekly NGS runs.

• Oversaw all laboratory office supply needs.

Under direct supervision, perform semi-technical duties in the Specimen Processing Services Area of a Clinical Laboratory. Receive, label, and accession specimens following established laboratory procedures. Some elements of clerical work such as logging and filing samples, managing data on a computer and answering phone calls and emails with regard to the status of a specimen or queries from clients also apply.

• Management of test requisition data in Laboratory Information System (LIMS) data bases. Samples are tracked in several different computer systems: Epic (patient registration patient identifiers, insurance data), Power Path (demographic data and charges), Lab Matrix, and Ovation.

• Quantifying and log of DNA samples: measure the quality of DNA received using a Nanodrop Spectrophotometer/qBITa and document the current concentration and volume of the DNA in the database.

• Manually extract DNA from blood and saliva specimens for genomic DNA analysis procedures by PCR and sequencing.

• Operate laboratory equipment such as centrifuge and automated pipettes.

• Collaborate closely with Clinical Genomics Lab by preparing DNA aliquots for microarray testing and record chain of custody.

• Responds to and answers client and patient inquiries over the phone or via email. Uses the lab data base to access the patient test results as requested; determines the status of the patient testing; reacts appropriately to the requests and solves problems related to these requests. If unable to answer inquiries, re-direct phone calls to proper location such to the lab genetic counselor.

• Troubleshoot billing with University of Washington Physicians (UWP) and follow-up on miscellaneous billing inquiries, discounts, and contracts.

• Manage miscellaneous official documents and keep current training certificates on file on each employee as requested by CAP.

• General clerical duties consist of scanning, filing, and faxing patient-related paperwork on a daily/weekly basis.

• Mail or email fax reports requests for external labs or clients.

• Scheduling laboratory and administrative meetings and drafting weekly agenda items.

• Manage laboratory phone list.

Served as the primary assistant for sample collection, research data entry and storage for Seattle Barrett’s Esophageal Program, a 28 year research study, studying the connections between Barrett’s Esophagus and esophageal cancer.

• Provided clinical support in bringing quality patient experience, including assembling and sending out patient packets, making reminder calls and clinical interactions.

• Attended and assisted endoscopy procedures, following stringent research protocols.

• Transcribed clinical meeting notes, and data entry.

• Prepared endoscopic biopsies for flow cytometric sorting and analysis by looking at cell cycle DNA content to determine patient cancer risk.

• Analyzed flow cytometric data and imported information into a database.

• Concocted and applied appropriate fixative to store research samples.

• Entered, tracked and organized samples for biorepository data log.

• Monitored and organized the inventory of over 70,000 esophageal biopsies.

• Shadowed other technicians in the lab to review standard operating procedures for that protocol for exactness and clarity.

• Assisted with a research study on DNA damage and genetic instability through analysis of cell cultures.

• Prepared buffers and media used for cell culture.

• Organized cell lines and maintained a freezer log.

• Assisted scientists with scientific projects such as centrifuging and aliquoting cell lines.

• Autoclave biohazard materials.

• Took inventory and restocking laboratory supplies as needed.

• Maintained laboratory equipment.