Alissa Lounsbery, MLS |
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I am currently employed in a rural critical access hospital as a Core Laboratory Generalist. As a Generalist, I am responsible for all testing areas including Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, and Blood Bank. Chemistry and Hematology are highly automated areas in our lab, for this reason I tend to enjoy working in Microbiology and Blood Bank the most. Everyday my workload is different, our facility is located next to the interstate, so we never know what type of trauma may come in through the Emergency Department. Our laboratory also provides services to a connected clinic, dialysis unit, and a long-term care facility, this combination keeps us very busy.
I discovered the profession of Medical Laboratory Science completely by chance! I found myself switching majors and switching colleges a lot in my first two years. As they say, the third time was the charm! I completed my MLS, bachelor’s degree at the third college I attended at which I had planned to get a Pharmacy degree. During one of the prerequisite classes, we had to discuss other career options, if we did not get into Pharmacy. One of the students had mentioned her sister was a laboratory professional. The job sounded very interesting, so I quickly started researching the degree. It sounded like the perfect career for me! Within the next few days, I contacted my guidance counselor and set up a new path to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS).
I find being an MLS very rewarding knowing that I am helping save lives. About 70% of a patient’s medical chart is comprised of laboratory results. These results help the doctor determine what is wrong with the patient and what the best course for treatment is. Working at a small rural facility, I am also privileged to draw blood from patients. This gives me the opportunity to connect with the patient and their families. It is through this personalized connection that I fully understand how important my career is!
I discovered the profession of Medical Laboratory Science completely by chance! I found myself switching majors and switching colleges a lot in my first two years. As they say, the third time was the charm! I completed my MLS, bachelor’s degree at the third college I attended at which I had planned to get a Pharmacy degree. During one of the prerequisite classes, we had to discuss other career options, if we did not get into Pharmacy. One of the students had mentioned her sister was a laboratory professional. The job sounded very interesting, so I quickly started researching the degree. It sounded like the perfect career for me! Within the next few days, I contacted my guidance counselor and set up a new path to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS).
I find being an MLS very rewarding knowing that I am helping save lives. About 70% of a patient’s medical chart is comprised of laboratory results. These results help the doctor determine what is wrong with the patient and what the best course for treatment is. Working at a small rural facility, I am also privileged to draw blood from patients. This gives me the opportunity to connect with the patient and their families. It is through this personalized connection that I fully understand how important my career is!
