Published July 30, 2019
Editor’s Note: Cheyenne Reyes graduated in May 2019 from the University of Louisiana Monroe Medical
Laboratory Science program. She is employed with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport-Monroe
Medical Center in Monroe. Reyes was profiled recently by The American Society for
Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). The article is reprinted with permission from
the ASCLS. Comments from ULM’s Jessica Lasiter of the Medical Laboratory Science program
were added by the ULM Office of Marketing and Communications.)
From The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
While completing her degree in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Louisiana
Monroe, Cheyenne Reyes worked as a phlebotomist. This gave her a unique perspective
of the laboratory through the eyes of phlebotomists.
Few people know the work done by medical laboratory scientists (MLSs). However, most
people are aware of the nursing profession, and many know of phlebotomists. The reason
is simple: patients see and communicate with them.
The symbiosis of phlebotomists and laboratory scientists is of substantial importance.
In some places, the MLS collects their own specimens, but most of the time laboratory
professionals depend on phlebotomists or nurses for collection.
However, each test must be performed on a patient’s specimen, most commonly his or
her blood. If it weren’t for phlebotomists, the laboratory scientists would have to
draw their own samples, leading to a delay in patient results.
Often, patient data is the sole reason for a diagnosis, and they are very time sensitive.
Phlebotomists are depended up to collect quality samples that are transported to the
lab quickly so tests can be performed as soon as possible.
Cheyenne Reyes: My experience as a phlebotomist
“As an MLS student, I was given a wonderful opportunity to be trained on the job and
work as a phlebotomist while taking classes. Thanks to this job, I have gained an
understanding of the laboratory that many of my peers have not experienced. During
my time at work and in clinicals, I noticed some laboratory scientists pay little
attention to what phlebotomists must deal with, which inspired me to pass out a survey
to both phlebotomists and medical laboratory scientists.
“In my survey, several phlebotomists did not feel respected or appreciated by their
laboratory scientists. Phlebotomists have expressed that MLSs ‘look at our title as
nothing,’ even though ‘we are a major part of the lab.’ Some even feel as though they
are viewed as working for the laboratory professionals, rather than with them," Reyes
said.
Jessica Lasiter, ULM Associate Professor of MLS in the School of Allied Health, said
all MLS students complete a clinical rotation for phlebotomy in at a hospital or clinic.
“The MLS student experiences the daily workload for a phlebotomist and the interaction
between multiple disciplines in healthcare while completing their phlebotomy clinical
rotation. Hopefully, after their phlebotomy clinical rotation, the MLS student will
always remember and appreciate the specialized role of the phlebotomist,” Lasiter
said.
Reyes continued, “While I am fully aware that samples must be held to a certain standard,
we also must think about how many times that patient was probably stuck to get that
1mL of blood. The phlebotomists must go up to that patient and tell them they must
try to draw blood again for the 16th time in an hour because the last sample was not
good enough.
“If we need a recollect and their outpatient waiting room is full, we must have patience
or be willing to help. Receiving samples from the pneumatic tube system, drawing outpatients,
and answering the phone may not seem like a lot, until you are in the middle of it.
They do not need a laboratory professional to ask them about another sample that needs
to be recollected every five minutes.
“During my few years of work and school, I have met a variety of people working as
medical laboratory scientists. They have bestowed upon me knowledge that can only
come from many years of experience in the field.
“While some may be surprised to learn about the lack of respect toward phlebotomists,
the results of this survey seem to indicate that the feelings of the phlebotomists
are not unfounded.
“Many medical laboratory scientists firmly believe in aiding and thanking their phlebotomists.
However, there are a few that believe phlebotomists ‘shouldn’t feel anything’ about
their unwillingness to help because it’s the phlebotomist’s job, and ‘they will feel
thankful if I’m willing to help,'" Reyes said.
“ULM's Medical Laboratory Science Program molds the students to respect all areas
of healthcare including phlebotomy,” Lasiter said. “Phlebotomists are often the only
personal contact a patient has with the laboratory. This key player in healthcare
can leave a lasting impression on the quality of the laboratory and the entire health-care
setting.”
