In the La-bor-a-tory
By Amelia (amy) Quicke
15 June 2008
What's your profession? Please describe it.
I am a "Lab Rat" or proffessionally known as a Medical Lab Tech on the night shift for St Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, VA. I perform the lab work for the ER and inpatients for the hospital. I am a generalist which means I do chemistry, hematology, blood banking, microbiology, serology, immunology and some minor instrument repair. In other words I get up close and personal with things that most people say "Oh Gross". You know when you go to the doctor, they take your blood, you "pee" in a cup then they send it to me to analyse.
Where do you do this?
St Francis Medical Center, Midlothian VA
Do you enjoy what you do?
I love this job! I see part of what keeps us alive and what makes us ill. Working nights gives me freedom during the day to explore my obsession with photography.
When you were young, what did you want to "be" when you grew up?
When I was very young I wanted to be an astronaut. In high school I wanted to be a psychologist. In college I wanted to be a journalist, I even wrote for the college paper at Old Dominion in Norfolk, VA
Do you feel stuck doing what you are doing?
Not at all! I chose this profession when I turned 38, after my children were older. I worked full time as a client service rep, part time as a house cleaner for a realtor, went to school and struggled to find time for my four children. Through their help and support I was able to finish school on the "Presidents List" and "Magna Cum Laude". They let me know how proud they are of me on a daily basis, this makes it all worth it.
What are the most and least satisfying parts of your job?
I love the fact that I play a key role in the well being of the patients. Through my work the doctor has a major tool with which to make the decisions that ensure comfort and speedy recovery. Sometimes it is a life or death situation and my reports alert the doctor to potential problems or issues the patient my have. Looking through the microscope I see the essence of life and the causes of illness. I can't think of any part of my job that is not satisfying, St Francis is a wonderful hospital and Bon Secours is a excellent company both dedicated and committed to the community.
How do you combine photography with your job?
The possibilities are endless. I recently discovered I can actually take shots through the eye of the microscope, I am trying to come up with an idea to improve the shots. The lab has a beautiful picture window to the courtyard and patio. The sun rises and shines through the trees each morning. The hospital is full of beautiful acrchitecture, fountains, courtyards and chapel. The courtyard and parking lots are full of flowers and birds. Everything is geared to patient mental well being to promote fast healing.
Anything else you'd like to add?
The people of the laboratory are the hidden heros. We are not normally visible to the public and very seldom in the thoughts of patients or their families. We are the people behind the scenes; Pathologist, Phlebotomist, Accessioners and me the MLT.
