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I always swore that I would always be a generalist even when I didn't like being one anymore. I thought that was the place to be and, while I didn't like the job anymore, I loved being able to say I was a jack of all trades. So it was with trepidation that I applied for and accepted a position in Microbiology.

It's such a different world from the main laboratory. It's no longer a rush to get the result out, or a pace of quantity over quality. I get to set my own pace to ensure that quality results are given on a consistent basis. In fact, learning to slow down was one of my hardest lessons.

I ended up loving Microbiology, well, for the most part. Don't all jobs have those bits you don't like? I'm really glad I took that step to go from a generalist to a specialist. I'm even planning to take the specialist exam one day!

As to funny micro stories, I have lessons I learned. Like Bacillus can look like a fungus when young, use forceps if you overheat your loop to remove it (that one was learned fast), don't play with the incinerator and the wooden sticks (it worries your coworkers).

Bottom line is work is fun again, and I had forgotten what that was like.

Michelle Hopson, Medical Technologist Microbiol, Harrison Medical Center	September 13, 2009
Bremerton, WA

As a hospital corpsman in the navy,it was the hospital laboratory where we usually gathered on our way out to see what San Diego was all about. That was the begining of my strong desire to be a medical laboratorian. Following my discharge, laboratory work in various hospitals and clinics, it was my diagnosis of cancer which took me in a surprising direction while using my expertice. Going to the poor countries of the world... Teaching and opening labs became my skill. It beame a whirlwind of projects concidered and accepted along the way... Assignments...Kenya,Bolivia,Honduras,Columbia,Mexico,Cambodia,Pakistan, gave me a very special time and life experiences I shall always cherish, and will always be thankful for the cancer diagnosis. For without this frightful medical label put on me, my last 28 yrs. of life would be... well, something different for sure.
Bernie Lash CLS

Bernard Lash, CLS, Retired	August 26, 2009
Oceanside, CA

A somewhat similar incident happened to me but with an explosive ending.

Joyce M. Driscoll, MLT(ASCP)	August 25, 2009
MA

When I was working at a local hospital just after graduating from med tech school, I remember an incident that I will never forget. Late one night as a coworker was working the overnight shift, a strange incident occured in the laboratory. As she was entering the main laboratory testing area, she smelled a very unusual smell. It smelled like someone had just lit a match. With her concern and the safety of the lab in mind, she called the lab manager who insisted that she call a code red. With in a few minutes, several men showed up with their masks and fire gear and the manager arrived still half asleep from being wakened by the phone call. They searched the area for a good hour and found nothing. The next day, as the processing associate began to perform her daily tasks, she heard a loud noise and dodged a paint can cap as it flung across the room. Apparently, a 24 hour stool was placed on the counter the previous evening. The gas had accumilated so much in the can that it literally exploded. I am sure that the lab manager will never forget being called in to work over a situation like this. To this day I am not sure if the fire department was notified of the actual findings in their investigation either.

Naomi Scianna, MT(ASCP), Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital	April 07, 2009
Barrington, IL

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