Useful experience

Editor - Last summer I, like many of my fellow students, tried to obtain employment that would help finance the forthcoming year of expenses. Although I had no specific job in mind, it had occurred to me that a healthcare related job might not only be interesting but also educational, so from early spring I scanned the job advertise. ments in local papers.

I have just completed a 14 week contract as a medical laboratory assistant in my local hospital. The experience has not only been interesting, but also a true learning experi. ence. I now know what happens when many of the samples reach the laboratory. During my period of work the August doctor changeover occurred. Although the new doctors were given a rundown on how the laboratory functioned, it soon became clear to me that a lot of the procedures for ordering tests, sending the correct bottles, and even the methods of obtaining blood for accurate results were unfamiliar to them. Improvements were made with time, but not before the doctors realised that the labora. tory staff were more than approachable and willing to offer advice.

My colleagues told me that the same problems occur every year. They firmly believe that just as it is compulsory for the medical student to spend rotation time in the fields of medicine and surgery, so they should spend time working in the medical laboratory setting and also in the pharmacy.

Not only did I make many new friends and have a great time working in the labora. tory, but l learnt many lessons that will hold me in good stead when I become a junior house officer.

Linda Coalter Second year medical student, Queen's University, Belfast
Email: C1215200@qub.ac.uk


studentBMJ 2001;09:399-442 November ISSN 0966-6494