BANGOR – Marilyn Kenyon has been director at St. Joseph Hospital’s Laboratory for nine years.

As such, she believes strongly that all contact with patients must be positive and as comfortable for the patient as possible.

“If you come to us and are sick,” Kenyon said, “you need to be assured that those who care for you are competent and compassionate.

“We, as health care professionals, must look out for your well being,” she continued, “because it’s nearly impossible to be your own advocate when you’re sick. I truly believe that people in the health care profession have a special calling. The greatest reward for me is knowing I can make a small difference in people’s lives.”

Kenyon’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from the University of Maine, and an internship at Maine Medical Center in Portland. She has teaching credentials in life and physical sciences.

Laboratory testing contributes to 70 percent of a diagnosis made regarding a patient’s illness. Clinical laboratorians must be multifaceted and able to adapt with an ever changing environment, said an official in public affairs at the hospital.

There are lab tests to detect cancer, anemia, diabetes, infections; tests to check cholesterol and triglyceride levels; tests to monitor coumadin (blood thinner) levels in blood; as well as macrobiotic cultures of throat, wound and urine specimens to determine what course of antibiotics would be most effective. The laboratory is also responsible for assuring that there is always a safe blood supply available for patients. Some people even choose to donate their own blood before elective surgery in the event a transfusion is necessary.

One of Kenyon’s duties is to oversee quality control to assure that instruments are accurate and procedures are followed. According to Kenyon, “Quality is crucial in assuring excellent patient care. We must always look at systems and processes and see where we can do even better. We benchmark with other organizations nationwide to make sure we’re competitive in achieving hospital and clinical lab standards.”

Kenyon researches new technology and testing to enhance physician diagnoses and treatment of various disease states. She also teaches her staff new tests and approaches to patient care. “Every day there are new opportunities to grow and learn,” she said “Education should be a lifelong process. It’s important to avail yourself of outside educational opportunities and networking with peers. Staying active in your own professional organizations is a good way to keep abreast of current issues.”

Kenyon said that most people are not aware of what laboratorians do “because we work behind the scene. We’re not out front caring for patients like doctors and nurses, but we are an important part of the team. Because of our work in the background, young people don’t realize what a fulfilling career is available as a medical technologist.”

There is a serious shortage of medical technologists, Kenyon explained, and she’d like to see many more people enter the field.

“This is a great time to be a new grad in the clinical laboratory field. Nationally, the compensation is finally starting to be commensurate with the importance of the work we do,” Kenyon said. “We have been lagging too far behind other professions to attract the number and caliber of individuals we need in this field. Labs need coverage around the clock, and we’re always looking for qualified people. There is a great deal of flexibility in the lab field. You can work different shifts to accommodate your family needs. You can work in small rural hospitals or big city hospitals or anywhere in-between. Once in the field there are so many options. I’ve never been bored a day of my life.”

For a new graduate, there are many opportunities. A Medical Technologist – Clinical Laboratory Scientist – is one option and requires a four-year degree. The position involves performing complex analyses, adding new tests, developing procedures, collecting data, teaching and overseeing quality assurance. This position can lead to supervisory or management opportunities. Medical Laboratory Technicians and Certified Medical Assistants require two-year degrees. MLTs perform general laboratory tests, while CMAs perform phlebotomy, routine administrative and clerical tasks.

As director, Kenyon sees herself as a team builder of health care professionals who have the same goals. She also sees interaction with other departments as vital to serving patients, with everyone working together. “It’s important to put others before yourself if you’re in healthcare. It can’t be all about you.”

Kenyon enjoys her work. “Patient care is the number one concern at St Joseph Hospital, and that’s important to me. Plus, I can have regular contact with patients here. It’s important never to lose that … never to forget why we’re here. As an added benefit, she and her staff recently moved into a new location within the hospital. “The environment is incredible and has lots of windows. We don’t realize it until we have the brightness. There’s so much natural light here. I just smile when I walk through the door each day.”