National Pathology Week is our annual celebration of pathology when we highlight the important contribution pathologists make to healthcare. Throughout this week we have been showcasing some of the individuals who make up our pathology teams at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.
Stevie Kirby – Trainee Biomedical Scientist
What does your job involve?
My job involves carrying out a range of laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease. I do this by ensuring all patient results are accurate by running and interpreting internal quality controls. Throughout my trainee position, I will gain experience working with automated analysers and learn complex manual techniques
Why did you choose this discipline of pathology?
I chose Biochemistry as it was closely related to the subjects I found most interesting within my undergraduate and master’s degree. Whilst working in a different department within Pathology, I gained an insight into the vast number of tests and samples received in the lab and was interested in how these samples corresponded to a clinical diagnosis. Working closely with Biochemistry, I was able to see the interesting and varied work performed and decided that this was the department I wished to specialize in.
What do you love most about working in pathology?
I enjoy performing routine and specialist analytical testing on a whole range of biological samples, and provide test results to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat the patient’s illness. I love working in a team with some of the most dedicated, knowledgeable people I know, I feel that we make a difference.
Why is pathology so important to the NHS?
Pathology aids over 90% of clinical diagnosis in the NHS and helps to screen and monitor many more. Pathology is vital to monitor the treatment of patients within the NHS.