Peggy Samuels

Led the medical technologist team for southern office locations, ensuring continuous quality standards for Joint Commission Accreditation. Oversaw baseline and monitoring cancer testing, verifying accuracy and timeliness of results for patient charts.

Performed molecular testing for respiratory viruses, CT/NG, and GI panels using Biofire and Cephid platforms. Monitored blood cultures and conducted microbiology plating and smear reading for routine and STAT samples.

Prepared lessons and virtual laboratory sessions for undergraduate students. Conducted laboratory testing for B Virus using Elisa and Western Blot, and performed Covid-19 testing.

Conducted molecular testing for Covid-19, CT/NG, C. difficile, and EPLEX. Performed bacterial culture and Quicktest ID.

Prepared cultures for microbial identification and isolated bacterial pathogens using the Microscan ID system. Communicated urgent STAT reports and findings of public health/infection control significance.

Managed the National Public Health Laboratory and Blood Bank, overseeing its set-up and commissioning. Pioneered the National Laboratory Policy and led the development of the National Quality Policy, serving as a focal point for biosafety and antimicrobial policy. Implemented quality assurance initiatives, oversaw SOP development, and managed surveillance testing and outbreak investigations.

Worked as a generalist Medical Technologist, rotating through Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Serology, and Blood Banking departments. Analyzed patient specimens to identify infectious agents and developed SOPs for Microbiology.

Established the microbiology department and collaborated with the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) on public health pathogen isolation and reporting. Gained experience in tuberculosis diagnosis and HIV monitoring, including CD4 and Viral load counts. Performed on-call duties across departments and developed quality control guidelines and SOPs for microbiology.

Supervised laboratory technicians in the microbiology department. Performed bacterial isolation, identification, and susceptibility testing.

Collaborated with public health inspectors to isolate and identify public health pathogens. Performed water quality testing and plate count/coliform testing on milk, cheese, and other dairy products, as well as juices and jellies. Gained extensive experience in isolating diarrheal agents like Salmonella and Shigella from food specimens, and procedures for isolating Vibrio spp. from seafood.

Received comprehensive training and achieved competency across all departments in the clinical laboratory. Gained essential practical experience required to obtain registration as a medical technologist.

Obtained a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. This foundational education provided comprehensive knowledge and practical skills essential for a career as a medical technologist.

Completed a Master's degree with a focus on Quality Assurance through distance learning. This program enhanced skills in ensuring high standards and continuous improvement within laboratory services.