Volume 38 Number 4 | August 2024
The Face of the Medical Laboratory Profession
Emmanuel M. Nyangau, MSHS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Today Volunteer Contributor
We are often perceived as introverts. From time to time there are a few who step out of their comfort zone and can be an extrovert for a moment. This is sometimes what is needed to leave an indelible impact on our community on behalf of our profession, in the classroom and out of the classroom, to be able to advocate for our profession.
Leaders are visionaries and they provide foresight. The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is an organization that believes in “working together to work wonders,” which is very much alive, and where service is encouraged for faculty and students to give back to the community. As an example, there are clinics that are student run and faculty supported. Faculty mentorship at Grace Clinic (through St. Vincent under the leadership of community service and engagement leadership), as well as Global Health leadership and others, have been instrumental to the community in helping accomplish this purpose.
We have been invited to be part of the Grace Clinic. Visibility, availability, and advocating for medical laboratory science allows me to prove a reflection from my community service and engagement through Grace Clinic in Galveston, Texas.
“We cannot fix every medical problem with a pill.”
– Dr. Norman Farr
This quote reminds me a lot about care and service, and I do refer to it each time I am serving. We are not fixing but being part of this individual’s journey to wellness, stability, and belonging.
Laboratory services are essential at the community level with a presence on the healthcare team and especially for the population we work with, considering all the barriers that exist in their care.
The last 15 months have been a tremendous eye opener courtesy of participating in patient care through Grace Clinic, a UTMB-sponsored community engagement project for the unhoused/unsheltered on the Island of Galveston. I am thankful for my colleague and mentor’s invitation and encouragement.
Let me provide a picture of the setting. Every Thursday, from 7:45 am to noon, we meet at Central Methodist Church in Galveston, and all medical disciplines are available, represented by students, to render care. Most of the care seekers are unhoused or unsheltered. This is their place of refuge and where they receive care for many of the basic needs that are impossible to have, such as showers, mail, a safe to keep belongings, clothing, food, and a break from harsh weather. “This church is their place of comfort and refuge which makes us guests,” we are reminded by the pastor. They have medical needs, which UTMB students and faculty address.
We gather on the second floor of the building in one room; clinical/medical laboratory, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistants to get a briefing before attending to members of the community. The briefing includes a reminder of our role and responsibility, announcements follow, and then a short reflection on the social determinants of health. We then begin providing care while new members are given a mini orientation tour.
Our role as medical laboratory professionals is to be available and to assist with all the necessary lab related tasks. We share and educate on laboratory tests, order tests, and provide a brief elaboration of the laboratory professional’s role. Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) students do participate in tableside discussions and care. They also pair with an interprofessional group of students who are administering medical care. We participate in specimen collection (phlebotomy), processing, storing, and transporting specimens. We also perform point-of-care testing as requested or needed. We offer consultation, answer questions, and discuss tests. We engage in educating patients regarding specimen collection and ease their fear, anxiety, and clear-up misunderstood facts about the lab. We ask questions important to testing and sometimes just talk to them and ease the fear of needles, explain tests, and provide information on the ordered lab test(s), as well as provide reminders regarding how to get results.
Until you step into the clinic, you really do not know what to expect. It is not a traditional clinic setting, but it has everything to look like one. Students appreciate this opportunity as they have stated. Our leaders and colleagues understand “Lab services are critical to overall care.” Continuity of care is not disrupted because “we have all services within easy access.” From colleagues, “Your work and role are crucial to patient care and to be here removes barriers to getting labs,” and, “You help ease their fear of needles, and your calm collective way allows for them to trust you.” The laboratory service presence is a crucial part of the care, “by being here you are part of the holistic care.” Students are always amazed at the type of care and services that are offered. “I have not seen anything like this being done anywhere else,” and, “I have learnt a lot and do appreciate what you do for the patients.” From community members, “I always get stuck so many times before they get blood, this is the first time you stuck me once and got blood,” and, “Thank you so much for helping explain the tests, I have learnt something new.” Most comments are positive, encouraging, and uplifting.
It is a great way to step away from our offices and classrooms and be next to direct care; it reveals our compassion that we care. I am thankful to all the students that volunteered, the instructors for their support, and my mentor, who has retired, for encouraging me and sharing this opportunity. I am also thankful for the Department of Community Engagement and the service team for accepting, embracing, and involving MLS professionals by incorporating us at the community level closer to the care seekers. The leadership of the church including the pastor, spiritual leader, the administrator, and his whole team are a great blessing. The School of Health Profession leadership and the MLS Department chair are embracing community involvement, advocating for it, and allocating the time. I want to thank everyone for their work, volunteering, and offering service at Grace Clinic without forgetting the hosts.
Laboratory services are essential at the community level with a presence on the healthcare team and especially for the population we work with, considering all the barriers that exist in their care.
Emmanuel M. Nyangau is the Assistant Professor of Instruction, Technical Supervisor Special Coagulation at the University of Texas Medical Branch Health in Galveston, Texas.