Project Three

Curtis Dorris
Salt Lake Community College
English 2100
27 April 2015

Table of contents
Cover letter

Basics of Refluxing Description

Cleaning Validation Instructions

In the Lab: Chemistry as a Career

References

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Resume

15

Reflection

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Curtis Dorris
Salt Lake City, Utah
26 April 2016
Mr. Jason Demke
Nelsonlabs
6280 S. Redwood Rd.
Taylorsville, Utah 84123
Dear Mr. Demke:
I am happy to see that a job opening in for a chemistry lab analyst has opened
up, and I would like to request an interview for the position. I am confident that I can
offer you the professional, problem-solving, and communication skills you are seeking.
I am currently attending the Salt Lake Community College pursuing a degree in
chemistry. I expect to graduate with an associates of science in 2018. My background
includes working as a lab analyst, as well as having previous knowledge of chemistry in
a hobby aspect. I am familiar with many reaction mechanisms, and their equations. I
have experience with accurately measuring volumes and weights used for analytical
work in the lab.
My previous work experience includes working in the healthcare reprocessing
department of Nelsonlabs, where I am responsible for precisely following instructions
provided by customers for cleaning/testing medical devices. I have knowledge of pipette
aid use, micropipette aid use, and calibrating balances. I am also qualified in using the
Spectramax spectrometer, and its software. Please see the accompanying resume for
details of my experience and education.
Feel free to call me at 801-718-8696 (cell) to arrange an interview. Thank you for
your timeI look forward to learning more about this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Curtis Dorris

The Basics of Refluxing

A reflux is a process used in chemistry to facilitate a reaction. The reaction mixture is boiled in a
vessel then the vapors are condensed with a condenser, and then fall back into the reaction
vessel. A reflux is used when a reaction takes place at temperatures higher than the boiling
point of the reactants so that the reactants do not boil off.
Parts of a Reflux Setup
To the right in Figure. 1. you will see a simple reflux
setup. Typically all the parts of the setup will be made
out of glass. The condenser on the top, the reaction
vessel on the bottom, and the heat source
underneath. This particular arrangement is using a
water bath to allow for better heat control over the
surface of the reaction vessel. The sections to follow
will describe the setup from the top down.
Condenser
The condenser is the key piece to this setup. Its job is
to take the rising hot vapors given off by the hot
reactants in the reaction vessel and forces them to
cool down and collect on the sides of the condenser.
It then flows down and back into the reaction vessel to

Figure. 1
Reflux apparatus, labeled. (2007, April 28). In
Mbeychok (Author). Retrieved April 18, 2016, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Reflux_labled.svg

continue reacting. This condenser uses a water jacket

to cool the vapors. A water pump in a bucket of cold
water is connected to this water jacket and cold water
is pumped around the inner part of the condenser
cooling the vapors. The water jacket and inner tube
are completely separated by glass. Without the
condenser a reflux would not be possible. This is just
one style of condenser that exists. Some condensers
use just the air to cool the vapors, and do not have a
water jacket. Which one is used depends on the
nature of the reaction being performed.

Reaction Vessel
The reaction vessel shown here is the round, bulb like part shown in Fig. 1. Its job is to contain
the reaction. This reaction vessel is referred to as a round bottom flask or boiling flask. Other
shapes can be used, but the round bottom flask is the most common. The top of the reaction
vessel is made to fit the condenser by using a ground glass joint.
Heat
A heat source is needed to perform a reflux. Most of the time that heat source is a heating
mantle or hotplate. A reflux takes place at the boiling point of the reactants, and in order to boil
something you need to heat that something. In the past the most common heat source was an
open flame provided from a bunsen burner connected to a source of gas such as methane, or
natural gas. In fig 1. You will also notice the container the reaction vessel is inside of, and the
heat source is directly below. This is a water bath and is used to assist in distributing the heat
evenly over the surface of the reaction vessel.

5 mL syringe cleaning validation procedure

The following document provides instructions on the soiling and cleaning of a 5 mL
reusable syringe. The syringe is illustrated below in Figure 1.

Fig1.

1. TESTING OUTLINE
1.1.
1.2.

Testing for the presence of Hemoglobin

Table of Controls

Control

Consists of:

Negative article control

Uncontaminated, unprocessed, extracted

Negative device control

Uncontaminated, processed through the cleaning

procedure only, extracted

Negative sample control

Only an extracted container

Positive device control (Extract 4 times =

extraction efficiency)

Contaminated, unprocessed, extracted

Positive sample control

Spiked extraction fluid with 0.1 mL

1.3.

Surface area: 188.69 cm2

2. SAMPLE CONTAMINATION
2.1.
2.2.

Soil four articles, 1 positive device control and 3 test articles.

Prepare the test soil of Defibrinated Blood Soil (DBLSO).
Blood soil ISO 15883-5

Clinical Relevancy of components in the test soil above

Ingredient

Why Clinically Relevant

Defibrinated blood

Hemoglobin

Bovine calf serum

Protein

Physiological Saline

Isotonic equivalence to human tissue and blood

Egg Yolk

Carbohydrates and Protein

Dehydrated Hog Mucin

Carbon Source, protein, viscosity properties

Dry Milk Powder

Protein, carbohydrates carbon source

2.3.
2.4.
2.5.
2.6.

3.

4.

With soiled gloved hands handle all surfaces of the articles.

Immerse the distal end of the test articles in the prepared soil, and
draw up 5 milliliters of soil 2 times with each test article.
Remove the test articles from the soiling area, and allow them to dwell
until dry for a minimum of 1 hour.
During the validation, after the dwell time remove the positive device
control for extraction.

MANUAL CLEANING PROCEDURE

3.1.

Using 70% (Isopropyl Alcohol) IPA wipe all surfaces of the articles to
remove gross soil.
3.1.1. Use additional wipes to keep articles wet and remove soil.

3.2.
3.3.
3.4.

Draw up 5 milliliters of 70% IPA 2 times per test article.

Allow the articles to air dry.
Visually inspect each test article for visible soil. If soil remains repeat
the cleaning procedure.

EXTRACTION PROCEDURE

4.1.
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
4.5.

Using 2 swabs, 1 wet, 1 dry, swab the articles exterior. Then place the
swabs in an appropriate container per test article.
Draw up 5 milliliters of extraction fluid and eject into the jar the swabs
were placed in per test article.
The positive article will be extracted 4 times.
Shake the jars 100 times in a 12 inch path.
Transfer the extracts to the hemoglobin analysis laboratory.

In The Lab: Chemistry as a Career

CURTIS DORRIS
English 2100
02 Feb 2016

Abstract
This report is meant to provide readers an insight into what working as a chemist
is like. Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the identification of the
substances of which matter is composed. I will be researching what the daily life of a
chemist is like at work, and why the work they do is important. As part of my research I
will combine sources from an interview, the internet, and my own experience working in
a laboratory. Throughout the report I offer my opinions on the culture of a laboratory
work environment and the type of person best suited for such a career.

Introduction
What is Chemistry? Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the
identification of the substances of which matter is composed; the investigation of their
properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change; and the use of
these processes to form new substances. The work of chemists affects many different
areas of our daily lives whether we know it or not. Everything from the oil and gas we
put into our vehicles, to the medicines and medical devices that are used to save lives,
there was a chemist at some point that helped make it possible. As a current Chemistry
major, I wrote this report in order to learn more about what it is like to work in as a
professional chemist, but also to show people that chemistry is not all about making
methamphetamine or explosives.

Methodology
My research was fairly straightforward seeing as I already work in a laboratory,
and though I dont work in the chemistry department, I do perform testing on reusable
medical devices which involves some chemistry testing. Part of my duties includes
taking extraction samples of the devices and delivering them to the chemistry

department for residual analysis. The company I work for is a microbiology testing
laboratory focused on the medical device industry.

Observations
Since starting my career as a laboratory analyst almost a year ago I have
observed that this isnt your typical lab. There is a strong sense of camaraderie among
the people I work with. There are opportunities to learn something new, or to teach
someone something they never knew before nearly every single day. In the chemistry
department, there are dragons made out of tinfoil hanging from the ceiling. You will find
pictures of the Simpsons in safety situations with words of wisdom throughout the
company. In the summer time they put together a chemistry show for the employees
and their families. Each department is like a little family that takes care of each other,
helping where needed.
Internet
The internet yielded many articles written by employees from the laboratory I
work at. I was able to get a better idea of what it is like to work as a chemist through
those articles. Some of the articles I found most useful were the articles which describe
the testing that is carried out by the chemists at Nelson Laboratories. I mainly used
Google as my search engine, but otherwise I went directly to Nelsonlabs.com for my
research. There are some issues with researching a company that has many different
clients in the medical device industry though, and that is due to the matter of
confidentiality, and because of that I was not able to obtain any examples of writing from
the customer's perspective.
Interview
Though I already work at Nelson Laboratories, I thought it would be a good idea
to interview someone who works there that had been there longer than myself, and has
had more contact with the other departments in the company. I chose to interview Pam
Dorris MBA at Nelson Laboratories. I asked her about the types of tests our customers
ask for the most in regards to chemistry, and the demands they place on the chemists
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there. I also asked what her observations were of the culture there. The following
information show the results of my findings.

Results
A chemist can expect to work in many different industries, and for a variety of
employers. They are not simply people in lab coats who mix chemicals together and
hope it doesnt blow up in their face. The scope of the positions available to a
professional chemist range from working in the petroleum industry, agriculture, waste
management, medicine, and cosmetics just to name a few. There does seem to be
some dividing opinions of what it is like to work as a chemist amongst those in the field.
The Analytical Chemist
The type of chemistry career I most heavily researched was that of the Analytical
Chemist. Analytical chemistry is the study of the separation, identification, and
quantification of the chemical components of natural and artificial materials. This is a
part of what the chemists do at Nelson Laboratories. They work to identify substances
left behind from cleaning a reusable medical device that could pose a risk to the next
patient it is used on, as well as identify anything that could already be on the device, or
even the materials the device itself is made out of that might put a persons life in
danger. The tests they perform are highly sensitive; detecting even the smallest
amounts of things like carbon, heavy metals, and residual chemicals used to clean the
devices.
Equipment
Chemists employ not only their education but also highly sensitive and
specialized equipment in their day to day work. Using that equipment is not simply a
matter of pushing a button though. The samples being tested have to be prepared by
skilled hands and eyes to be done properly. An example of such a device is called a
TOC Analyzer (Total Organic Carbon). The samples must be extracted with special
tools and glassware that has been treated to have a very low TOC level. The samples

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must have absolutely no air present in the containers because even the air itself is full of
carbon that can cause large errors in the data recorded
Income
According to www.payscale.com, a professional chemist can expect to make
between $45k and $65k annually. This is first assuming you have a four year bachelors
degree in chemistry and are lucky enough to know someone that can get your foot into
the door someplace. Otherwise based on the starting salary at Nelson Laboratories, a
newly hired lab analyst can expect to make around $16.19 per hour- $31,084.80
annually.
Culture
From my observations of working in a lab, and from my interview with Pam Dorris
at Nelson Labs, I found that culture can be described as an academy. Academy Culture:
Employees are highly skilled and tend to stay in the organization, while working their
way up the ranks. The organization provides a stable environment in which employees
can develop and exercise their skills. Examples are universities, hospitals, large
corporations, etc. At Nelson Laboratories in particular, the culture is also one that places
a lot of emphasis on culture. They encourage everyone to work with integrity and have
fun in the process. Since starting my job there, I have been to numerous department
and companywide events celebrating birthdays, company goals being met, holiday
parties, and team building activities. The effect of this is that going to work is something
to look forward to every day.
Discussion
A professional career in chemistry is a lofty goal to set for someone, and it can
take many years of college before most companies will consider your employment.
They often pick the person with the bachelors degree over the person who is just
looking for a job off the street. That being said, chemists are in high demand in a
multitude of areas. Due to that demand, the job market for chemists is very competitive,

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and more often than not finding a career in chemistry could require working in a different
country.
Working as a chemist seems to be a paradise for those who love science and
technology. The laboratory environment is a great place for a chemist. You are
surrounded by like minded people, and ideas flow easily when everyone has similar
interests with different specialties. The work environment can be very laid back, but still
demanding. The work they do is important to the advancement of technology, and
medicine. Without chemists, we would not have most of what we consider everyday
conveniences such as: plastic, soap, clean water, cleaner transportation, and even
computers.
There is a flip side to being a chemist though. These days chemistry has a
cloudy reputation of being associated with drugs. There is a lack of education regarding
chemistry and its benefits to society. Too often we hear on the news about a new meth
lab that the police have discovered. Popular TV shows also paint chemistry in a bad
light, such as the TV series Breaking Bad which depicts a chemistry teacher turned
meth cook. The effects of this blemish are that announcing ones interest in chemistry
will often raise a few eyebrows. This makes it difficult if chemistry is a hobby and
favorite past time for those who truly enjoy the science, and are not conducting anything
illegal.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Chemistry is one of the core sciences in that everything around you is composed
of chemicals. Working as a chemist can be a highly rewarding career, and even
profitable. However in order to become a chemist, one has to endure years of school,
and for many this is a big deterrent. It takes a driven individual to get through it, but if
you can get through all of the schooling and enjoy finding solutions to problems, then
becoming a chemist sounds like an amazing career.
It is my opinion that becoming a chemist can open doors for a chance at
discovering something brand new and never seen before, something that could
potentially change the world. New discoveries are made every day by chemists, and

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hopefully someone will read this paper and end up choosing to be a chemist who might
one day make the next big one.

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References
Organizational Culture and Changing Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from
http://managementhelp.org/organizations/culture.htm
Chemistry Careers. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from
http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/college-to-career/chemistry-careers.html
Analytical Chemist Salary. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Analytical_Chemist/Salary
19-2031 Chemists. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes192031.htm
Shmoop Editorial Team. (2008). Chemist: Typical Day. Retrieved February 22, 2016,
from http://www.shmoop.com/careers/chemist/typical-day.html
Has "Breaking Bad" Made The Reputation Of Chemistry Worse? (n.d.). Retrieved
February 22, 2016, from
http://www.science20.com/news_articles/has_breaking_bad_made_reputation_chemistr
y_worse-83005

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Curtis Dorris
Professional Experience
Laboratory Analyst, Nelson Laboratories, Taylorsville, UT, May 2015 Current
Cased-Hole Operator Cutters, Vernal, UT, March 2014 March 2015
Cased-Hole Operator, Weatherford, Grand Junction, CO, Feb 2012 March 2014
Technical Support Agent Level 2, Verio, Orem, UT, Sep 2008 Feb 2012

Created check lists based on procedural documents

Recorded raw data from testing
Maintained current training requirements
Familiar with FDA regulations
Familiar with SpectraMax software and use
Lead and train team members
Maintain log books and check for accuracy
Know and understand transportation labels and requirements
Daily safety check of truck and equipment
Coordinate with team members on job specifications
Maintained understanding of current web technologies or programming practices
through continuing education, reading
Documented test plans, testing procedures, or test results
Documented technical factors such as server load, bandwidth, database
performance, and browser device types
Identified problems uncovered by testing or customer feedback, and corrected
problems or referred problems to appropriate personnel for correction
Developed test applications for identifying problems with production
environments

Education and Certification

Salt Lake Community College Chemistry Major
CDL License with Hazmat Endorsement
Skills
Detail Oriented
Self Motivated
Time Management
Computer Skills
Adaptability

Email and Internet Efficient

Technical Writing
Critical Thinking
Strong Understanding of
Scientific Method
Problem Solving

Customer Service
Multi-task
Work as part of a team
Quick Learner
Verbal and Written Communication
Skills

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Reflection
Before taking the technical writing class, I already had an idea that the skills the
class aimed to teach me were needed. However, I was not well versed in the processes
involved when writing such documents. My job as a laboratory analyst requires me to
read, and follow technical instructions at every step of my daily routine. This class has
helped me to realize how those documents are created, and what processes help shape
them.
The 1st project from the class was a paper on the job culture of our chosen
career, and the writing styles used there. Being the first assignment of the semester, it
was challenging, and I was able to take away quite a bit from the experience. I think the
hardest part of that paper was collecting the data I needed. I had never interviewed
anyone before, and I was not sure exactly what to ask the interviewee. I also found it
difficult to think of the company beyond just the department I worked in. In order to
overcome that challenge, I talked with many people, attended events, and paid much
more attention to the interactions around me. The culture turned out to be very different
than I was expecting to find. Instead of what I thought would be just another faceless
corporation, I found that the culture was inspiring, fun, and proud. Achievements are
praised, and problems are taken on by the many.

That first project also taught me about the importance of a paper's organization,
its layout, and design. How important it is for conveying the information we want to
convey. Thanks to this class, I feel like I will be able to move up in my career field with
more confidence with the necessary tools I need to succeed. It should also help me a
great deal going forward in my education towards my degree in chemistry, as well as
my everyday responsibilities as a contributing member of society.

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