Off the Bench

First Lab Job Interviews Part 1: Preparing for the Interview

In this first of two podcasts, Galina, Justin, and Sophia talk about their first laboratory job interviews. The three hosts discuss some basic interview prep and tips, the need for perseverance through the first several interviews, the importance of trying to find a place that is a good fit for you, and how it all goes back to, "What do you want in your job?"

COVID-19 Pandemic: Monoclonal Antibodies, Vaccines, and the Medical Laboratory Profession

In this episode Kyle McCafferty, a medical laboratory scientist in Detroit, Michigan, speaks with Dr. Rodney E. Rohde, chair of the Texas State University Clinical Laboratory Science Program and Specialist in Virology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, about COVID-19, specifically monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and the medical laboratory profession. The episode is available for P.A.C.E.® credit; visit www.ascls.org/offthebench to learn more.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Workup, Management, and Prognosis with Dr. John McClure

In this episode, Galina Dronova talks with Dr. John McClure, a pathologist in Minneapolis, Minnesota, about Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), the lab testing necessary to identify AML, and where a medical technologist fits in the process.
The episode is available for P.A.C.E.® credit; visit www.ascls.org/offthebench to learn more.

ASCLS Updates: January 2021

This special minisode of Off the Bench features hosts Sophia Chandrasekar, Galina Dronova, and Justin Hanenberg with ASCLS President Maddie Josephs. They discuss the past "crazy, awesome week for ASCLS" that included three new events: PRISM: Pride · Respect · Inclusion · Support · Momentum; the Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC2); and a Mid-Year House of Delegates Meeting.

Understanding Emerging Zoonotic Diseases on a Global Scale with Dr. Tracey Goldstein

One major driving force to viral spillover from wildlife to humans is human behavior. On this episode Jasmine Pante, MT(ASCP), of Monterey County, California, interviews Dr. Tracey Goldstein, PhD, of One Health Institute Laboratory at University of California-Davis, about emerging zoonotic diseases on a global scale and the One Health approach to prevent future outbreaks.
The episode is available for P.A.C.E.® credit; visit www.ascls.org/offthebench to learn more.

Transgender Health

This episode focuses on the medical laboratory’s role in addressing gaps in healthcare quality for transgender patients. Romi Selzer, of Henry Ford Hospital Blood Bank in Detroit, interviews Dr. Gabrielle Winston-McPherson, associate director of chemistry, who oversees the core automation laboratory at Henry Ford Hospital. 

Legislation Insights for the Laboratory with Stephanie Noblit

Legislative awareness is important for laboratory professionals because what happens in legislation can affect our daily lives. Join ASCLS Leadership Academy graduates Billie Ketelsen, MLS(ASCP)CMMB(ASCP)CM, and Stephanie Noblit, JD, MLS(ASCP)CM, as they discuss two legislative efforts currently impacting laboratories, PAMA and the Laboratory Workforce Shortage. The episode is available for P.A.C.E.® credit; visit www.ascls.org/offthebench to learn more.

Recalibration - Bad Lab Science on TV

This month's episode of the Off the Bench Podcast is a recalibration episode produced by several of the ASCLS Leadership Academy Class of 2020 students: Jasmine Pante, Romy Selzer, and Sophia Chandrasekar. Join them as they watch, react, and dissect scenes from three popular medical television shows. Watch the show clips they reference.

Recalibration: COVID Laboratory Conspiracy Theories

Hosts Galina Dronova, Justin Haneneberg, and Sophia Chandrasekar talk with guest speaker, Cliff Cymrot, about various COVID-19 conspiracy theories that Galina stumbled upon on social media that involve laboratory testing. Join us as we process and recalibrate these ideas with discussion of laboratory science and methodologies.

Knowledge Hoarders and Control Freaks

Sam and Lindsey interview Beth Warning, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, instructor with the University of Cincinnati-College of Allied Health Sciences, about the importance of sharing knowledge and succession planning in the laboratory. As more technologists begin to retire, or move on to other opportunities, they take with them a wealth of knowledge of laboratory procedures and organizational history. How can we retain this expertise in specific lab methods and basic tenets of testing?
Learn more in Beth's March 5 ASCLS webinar, Knowledge Sharing and Succession Planning in the Laboratory.