Krystal Deschamps
Barrie,Canada
Summary
Dynamic and detail-oriented Medical Laboratory Assistant with extensive experience at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. Proven expertise in specimen processing and quality control, coupled with strong problem-solving abilities. Committed to enhancing patient workflow and turnaround times while effectively educating nursing staff on specimen labeling and laboratory practices.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Point of Care Laboratory Assistant
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
Barrie, Ontario
10.2024 - Current
- Maintain updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Coordinate interprofessional efforts to educate new hires regarding Laboratory practices and Point of Care
- Manage inventory and supplies to ensure that materials are available when needed.
- Perform quality control and crossover studies to ensure the accuracy of reagents and materials used for testing.
- Conduct proficiency assessments for CAP and IQMH across all Point-of-Care testing options.
- Manage time effectively to ensure tasks are completed on schedule and deadlines are met.
- Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently, and effectively.
- Apply advanced troubleshooting abilities to address complex challenges, and implement solutions with users and equipment.
- Update and maintain databases with current information relating to the Point of Care program.
Histology/Cytology Laboratory Assistant
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
Barrie, Ontario
07.2017 - Current
- Participate in continuing education to stay current on new techniques used in the field.
- Assist in the performance of autopsies under the direction of a pathologist.
- Receive, quality check, requisition and prepare tissue specimens for gross examination
- Assist the pathologist in the gross examination of surgical specimens.
- Process Formalin fixed tissue specimens and Cell blocks in tissue processors to be embedded and cut
- Change stains for frozen section procedures, and prepare specimens for flash freezing.
- Prepare body fluids and fine needle aspirate specimens for screening and pathology review.
- Operate automated slide-staining machines for efficient processing of slides.
- Perform routine and specialized histology staining procedures.
- Prepare slides for microscopic examination and analysis by pathologists.
- Organize, label and file histology slides into appropriate folders or files.
- Assist in training new personnel on the proper use of laboratory equipment or techniques.
- Perform routine maintenance on histology and cytology instruments, including cleaning and calibrating them.
- Disposed of specimens after completed testing procedures.
- Archive histologic/cytologic slides and blocks in accordance with Cancer Care Ontario guidelines.
- Ensure specimen integrity by adhering to standard protocols for storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials.
- Perform clerical duties, such as registering, filing paperwork or preparing slides for sendout.
- Prepare reagents and solutions used in laboratory tests and procedures.
- Assist with developing new methods or techniques in order to improve laboratory processes.
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Royal Victoria Hospital
01.2007 - 06.2021
- Receiving, sorting, and processing specimens as per laboratory guidelines.
- Performing limited testing in required areas, using correct safety measures.
- Hands-on experience working with line master and Centralink computers.
- In-depth use of the Meditech computer system and experience editing Medworxx.
- Mixing and dispensing solutions, and working with culture media.
- Assisting with monitoring the pending and overdue lists, and following up.
- Resulting, reporting, filing, and distributing reports and results.
- Maintaining inventory by placing orders for supplies when needed
- Organizing requisitions for sample collection in order of priority and area
- Quality control and temperature monitoring throughout the laboratory.
- Referred in, out patient, blood product and home draw registrations
- Arranging couriers and preparing specimens for send out to other testing sites
Microbiology Lab Assistant
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
Barrie, ON
02.2008 - 05.2021
- Performed PCR, and ELISA tests to analyze bacterial samples such a s C-Difficile and Strep.
- Performed PCR tests for detection of Virus's such as Influenza, and Covid-19
- Set up incubators with appropriate temperatures for culturing bacteria, virus and fungi.
- Inoculated and Prepared culture plates for analysis using sterile technique.
- Disposed of hazardous waste materials safely following established procedures.
- Prepared microscopic slides of cultures for identification purposes.
- Conducted quality control tests on samples to ensure accuracy of results.
Phlebotomist
Royal Victoria Hospital
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Collections for STAT and routine blood tests for in and out patients
- Performed ECG’s , therapeutic phlebotomies and glucometer testing
- Infant and child collections using venipuncture and capillary methods
- Urine collections for a variety of testing; requiring different techniques
- Monitoring collections batches and prioritizing work load for ER and in-patients
Hospitals in Common Laboratory
01.2005
- Phlebotomy and ECG’s, Holter monitors and Glucose tolerance tests
- Separating and sorting samples accordingly and preparing them for send out
Education
Medical Laboratory Assistant Diploma -
CDI College
01.2005
Pre-Health Sciences Certificate -
Georgian College
01.2003
OSSD -
Innisdale Secondary School
01.2002
Skills
- Specimen processing and quality control
- Laboratory automation operation
- Urinalysis and drug screening
- Slide preparation and staining
- Solution preparation and dispensing
- Venipuncture and capillary collection
- Patient workflow improvement
- Nursing staff education on labeling
- Results retrieval assistance
Certification
- MLPAO webinar series-2025
- Autopsy and Mortuary Sciences-Australia Online-2019
- Pre-analytical Practices in Microbiology-Thompson River University-2018
- Pre-analytical Paractices in Histopathology-Thompson River University- 2017
- Labcell Workflow Data Training Siemens Healthcare Solutions 2011
- Automation and Centralink Training Siemens Healthcare Solutions 2011
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods Industrial Safety Trainers 2010
- Nursing Humber College 2010
- CPR and First Aid, Level C Action First Aid Annually
- First Aid and CPR Instructors Certificate St. Johns Ambulance 2004
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Georgian College 2003
References
References available upon Request
QUALIFICATIONS
- Completed the MLA Diploma Program with a final mark of 90%
- Successfully completed the OSMT Certification exam
- Pre-Health Sciences Certificate from Georgian College
- In-depth use of Meditech Computer system, and experience with Medworxx
- Knowledge and experience operating Total Laboratory Automation (TLA)
- Total Laboratory Automation Centrifuge and Decapper key operator
- Trained in Transportation of Dangerous Goods and WHIMIS
- Experience working in Out-patient lab, Core Lab and Microbiology
- Recognize problems and solve them quickly on a team or individually
- Accountable, Compassionate, Flexible, Organized and Reliable
- Capable of complying with patient confidentiality
- Excellent communication skills; verbal and written
Timeline
Point of Care Laboratory Assistant
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
10.2024 - Current
Histology/Cytology Laboratory Assistant
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
07.2017 - Current
Microbiology Lab Assistant
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
02.2008 - 05.2021
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Royal Victoria Hospital
01.2007 - 06.2021
Phlebotomist
Royal Victoria Hospital
01.2006 - 01.2008
Hospitals in Common Laboratory
01.2005
Medical Laboratory Assistant Diploma -
CDI College
Pre-Health Sciences Certificate -
Georgian College
OSSD -
Innisdale Secondary School
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