Carmen Jiménez Medina

Medhionine is a medcomms agency with a mission to simplify scientific complexity and make it accessible. As a medical writer, I am dedicated to: - Writing scientific content in Spanish and English. - Translating medical texts from Spanish to English and vice versa. - Editing, proofreading, and revising medical texts following the AMA style. - Creating content for blogs and social networks. - Manage blogs and social networks. - Analyse metrics to optimise communication strategies. - Develop investor decks to present projects to non-specialised investors. - Promote health products through effective strategies. - Develop product dossiers. - Visualise and tell scientific stories in an impactful way. I work closely with visual artists to transform complex information into compelling visual content. At Medhionine, every word and every image has the power to improve health and enrich the knowledge.

I work as a multidisciplinary scientist across several sections of the pathology department, such as haematology, coagulation, transfusion, clinical chemistry, and molecular biology. My duties in blood sciences include interpreting results correlating with the patient history and identifying cell morphology and parasites in blood films. In addition, I perform capillary electrophoresis and interpret graphs to determine abnormal haemoglobins. Also, I can operate highly complex automated systems in blood sciences, loading samples, performing maintenance, running quality controls and calibrations, and troubleshooting accordingly. I work with equipment belonging to Beckman Coulter, Grifols, and Werfen. During the pandemic of COVID-19, I participate as a lead scientist in processing a high throughput of specimens by RT-qPCR. I operate with Biomolecular Systems and Promega equipment. In addition, I perform a wide range of rapid PCR tests using the GeneXpert Instrument System (Cepheid) and PCR panels in the Biofire Filmarray System (Biomerieux). As a result, I can interpret the results and graphics of RT-qPCR and be able to address errors and inadequacies immediately, and initiate corrective actions. Furthermore, as a lead BMS, I train and supervise different team members, help set up new PCR assays, and write working instructions. I participate in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with Oxford Nanopore Technology. I use NEXTCLADE and PANGOLIN as bioinformatic software to read and upload genomic sequencing results to the worldwide database of SARS-CoV-2. I have a good understanding of health and safety, quality and sterilisation conditions in the laboratory. Being a multidisciplinary scientist has given me a broader vision of clinical diagnosis.

I do night shifts as a specialist biomedical scientist in haematology, coagulation, and blood transfusion on a rotational basis. My role in hematology and coagulation involves interpreting results that correlates with the patient history and identifying cell morphology in blood films and other biological fluids like CSF. In addition, as part of the antenatal screening program, I perform high-liquid performance chromatography (HPLC) and interpret graphs to determine abnormal haemoglobins. I also detect malaria parasites in blood films, and with the help of illumigene. In transfusion, I perform automated and manual blood serology tests. I can internet anomalies in the blood groups and antibody screening and detect irregular antibodies. Also, I do stock checks and issue a wide range of blood products that need great attention to detail. The laboratory is accreditated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) During my role, I operate with highly complex automated analyzers, i.e., loading samples, performing maintenance, running quality controls, checking Levey Jennings graphs, and troubleshooting to assure accuracy when reporting patient results. To comply with ISO15189 & UKAS, I analyse data trends, perform external quality controls, carry out horizontal audits of samples, raise non-conformities through the Trust Risk Management System on Q-Pulse, and suggest preventative actions. I provide support and advice to service users and give verbal reports on the telephone. As a specialist scientist, I have to activate contingency plans and make decisions in problematic situations that impact the scope of practice. This role requires excellent communication and organizational skills.

I am a biomedical scientist in haematology, coagulation, and blood transfusion on a rotational basis. My role in hematology and coagulation involves interpreting results that correlates with the patient history and identifying cell morphology in blood films and other biological fluids like CSF. In addition, as part of the antenatal screening program, I perform high-liquid performance chromatography (HPLC) and interpret graphs to determine abnormal haemoglobins. I also detect malaria parasites in blood films, and with the help of illumigene. In transfusion, I perform automated and manual blood serology tests. I can internet anomalies in the blood groups and antibody screening, and detect irregular antibodies. Also, I do stock checks and issue a wide range of blood products that need great attention to detail. The laboratory is accreditated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) During my role, I operate with highly complex automated analyzers, i.e., loading samples, performing maintenance, running quality controls, checking Levey Jennings graphs, and troubleshooting to assure accuracy when reporting patient results. To comply with ISO15189 & UKAS, I analyse data trends, perform external quality controls, carry out horizontal audits of samples, raise non-conformities through the Trust Risk Management System on Q-Pulse, and suggest preventative actions. I provide support and advice to service users and give verbal reports on the telephone. This role requires excellent communication skills with colleagues, seniors and managament.

I work as an associate practitioner in haematology and coagulation, assiting biomedical scientists and supervising biomedical support workers. My role involves operating with complex automated systems, i.e., loading samples, performing maintenance, running quality controls, checking Levey Jennings graphs, and troubleshooting to assure accuracy when reporting patient results. I also write standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the automated systems, complying with ISO15189 & UKAS. I have improved manual dexterity by performing manual techniques such as preparation and staining of blood films, manual clotting, and processing CSF with the preparation of cytospins. Besides, I carry out semi-automated methods like infectious mononucleosis screens in the DX reader and malaria parasites detection with illumigene (LAMP). Furthermore, as a part of the quality controls, I execute the airflow checks and maintenance of the safety cabinet. Finally, I enter patient results into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). I do the stock checks of the department, communicating effectively with other team members. In addition, I train and supervise new staff members in my duties.

I assist biomedical scientists in receiving a wide range of biological samples and handling them according to health and safety policies. My duties include identifying different tests and sorting them into the Pathology departments, i.e., immunology, microbiology, virology, histology, and blood sciences. I also have to determine time and temperature-sensitive and referral tests that need preparation and storage following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and complying with ISO 15189 & UKAS. Working as a biomedical support worker has allowed me to recognise all the tests within Pathology. I also have to prioritise hospital wards such as A&E, critical care, paediatrics, and maternity to ensure the best quality patient care. Time management and attention to detail are skills that I have acquired with this experience. Finally, I enter patient data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and load the samples into automated systems, such as Beckman Coulter, Sysmex, and Werfen.

In my work experience, I assist biomedical scientists in haematology, coagulation, and specimen reception. My role involves working with complex automated systems, i.e. loading samples, performing maintenance tasks, running quality checks, checking Levey Jennings charts and troubleshooting to ensure accuracy in reporting patient results. I have improved manual dexterity by performing manual techniques such as blood film preparation and staining, manual coagulation and CSF processing with cytospin preparation. In addition, I carry out semi-automated methods such as infectious mononucleosis screening on the DX reader and malaria parasite detection with illumigene (LAMP). In addition, as part of quality control, I perform airflow checks and maintenance of the safety cabinet.