Stephanie Rodriguez Hernandez, CHT (ACHI)

Selected as one of five representatives to launch and support Vitalant's enterprise-wide HLA Product Support program, providing specialized platelet coordination for complex transfusion cases.

• Helped establish and refine workflows, protocols, and SOPs for a newly created department, contributing to standardized operations across the enterprise.

• Serve as a liaison among hospitals, laboratories, and internal stakeholders, facilitating complex discussions regarding product availability, allocation decisions, and patient-specific transfusion needs.

• Partner with leadership to identify process improvements, streamline case coordination, and enhance operational efficiency within a rapidly evolving service model.

• Advance Vitalant's mission of improving patient outcomes by ensuring timely access to HLA-matched platelet products for critically transfusion-dependent patients.

• Served on a multidisciplinary team responsible for validating and implementing a new cell-sorted chimerism assay, helping establish testing workflows, performance criteria, and quality standards.

• Performed and interpreted complex histocompatibility and immunogenetics testing to support transplant monitoring, donor selection, and patient care decisions.

• Applied Lean Six Sigma methodologies to redesign laboratory organization and inventory management processes, identifying significant sources of inventory loss and improving operational efficiency.

• Trained and mentored laboratory personnel on testing procedures, quality standards, laboratory safety, and workflow best practices.

• Performed high-volume testing across hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, and general laboratory departments while maintaining quality, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.

• Trained laboratory personnel and supported the implementation of new instrumentation and workflows, ensuring competency and successful adoption of new laboratory technologies.

• Conducted microscopic examinations and complex specimen analysis to support accurate patient diagnosis and treatment.

• Contributed to quality improvement initiatives and troubleshooting efforts that enhanced workflow efficiency, testing reliability, and operational performance.

• Assisted in preparing and processing pathology specimens for diagnosis.
• Collaborated with pathologists on case reviews and findings documentation.
• Assisted with post-mortem examinations, including gross dissections of organs and tissues.
• Reviewed medical histories and prepared reports summarizing findings for medical examiner.

• Assisted with daily operations and preparations for funeral services.
• Provided compassionate customer service to families during visitations.
• Assisted with embalming processes, including arterial injection and cavity treatment.
• Managed compliance with local, state, and federal regulations in all operations.