Bio-Lab Consulting

I have a practice that is looking for a Office manager. Patient database can be difficult, so they need someone who can handle stress easily. There are 2 physicians and 3 other providers. Has own laboratory. Nice office and location in Frisco, TX. If interested, here's their information.

www.txprimary.com

I keep seeing posts by techs saying there are no jobs available. Let's be clear about this. There is a shortage of lab techs. The reason there aren't jobs being posted are because a number of things:

1. Dept heads get a bonus if they stay on budget and don't ask for another FTE.
2. If they are fully staffed overtime will not be approved. O/T is how they can give a tech more $ without having to raised their rate of pay.
3. With the cost of healthcare insurance going up, they can save $ if they don't hire anymore techs.
4. Money saved by not hiring more techs can be used for better equipment, etc. and yes this is used from a diff budget, however, I'dif they are over in one Dept the shortage has to come from somewhere. So the next year's budget will be adjusted.

When using automated or MLA+ pipettes, you should NOT have to force the tips on. If you do, they are the incorrect tips. You can always check to see if they fit correctly by pulling up some DH20 and hold upright. If it leaks, it isn't a correct fit.

When I recently attempted to use an automated pipette, one that's used for molecular, I was told by the tech that I needed to force the tip on. Even then, it still dripped. So I would question how accurate this is when using for testing, etc.

Also of note, volumetric pipettes should be used to make up calibrator and controls. Not serological or automated. Volumetric pipettes have a bulb in the middle which helps to remove any bubbles when dispensing. Serological is not as accurate. Here's a picture of volumetric piepttes.

Did you know that when you dispense a drop of liquid from a transfer pipette, the angle the pipette is held matters? Transfer pipettes should be held vertically when dispensing. When held at an angle, the drop size will be smaller. The drop on the left was dispensed by a transfer pipette help upright/vertical to the counter. The drop on the right was dispensed with the transfer pipette held at a 45 degree angle to the right. As you can see, the drop on the right is smaller.

This is why transfer pipettes should not be used for any test that requires exact measurement. Even though it seems like a very small difference, it does matter. Especially if you're performing a card or cartridge test.