Sharon Benson 8212 Elvaton Drive a Pasadena, Maryland 21122

* 410.975.9298 443.848.3058
sb902948@westpost.net
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SENIOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
Hands-on, motivational leader with years of progressively challenging experience
achieving or exceeding desired patient outcomes. Exceptional ability to clearly
translate complex issues into actionable plans aligned to short and long-term r
equirements. Establish quick rapport with co-workers. Exercise diplomacy and tac
t; enjoy a reputation of relational excellence, and overcoming obstacles critica
l to performance metrics. Uphold highest standards for ethics and quality. Effec
tively evaluate and proactively manage performance against relevant benchmarks.
Perform quality assurance activities that include root cause analysis for FDA re
portable errors.
Core competencies include: Process Development / Improvement a Compliance a Labo
ratory Management a Purchasing a Confidentiality a Procedural Development a Safe
ty a Audit Management a Staff Development
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CAREER TRACK
MARYLAND GENERAL HOSPITAL Baltimore, Maryland
GENERAL SUPERVISOR, TRANSFUSION SERVICE Since 2005
Provide effective technical and administrative leadership to ensure that all de
partmental goals achieved or exceeded. Collaborate with senior management, inclu
ding physicians and other healthcare providers across multiple departments to an
alyze needs, coordinate laboratory activities, and ensure that hospital and exte
rnal compliance requirements met. Responsibilities also include purchasing, staf
f training and development, and policy development / improvement. Oversee storag
e, tracking, and distribution of tissue and blood in accordance with hospital gu
idelines.
* Interview, select, and train technologists. Promote a team-oriented environmen
t to maintain cohesion and facilitate goal achievement. Mentor staff to maximize
employee competencies for current requirements and for future career growth and
enrichment.
* Intimately involved in a range of Quality functions. Served as AABB Assessor,
and conducted monthly Blood and Tissue Use meetings with the Laboratory Director
and hospital representatives. Plan and execute numerous audits to ensure full c
ompliance with approved processes, and evaluate findings to improved abilities a
nd increase departmental effectiveness.
* Successfully revised procedures to match improved processes, including: blood
issue, routine and emergency release, processes for handling tissue in the opera
ting room, and improved antibody screening and cross matching to reduce vulnerab
ilities and errors.
* Special assignments include serving on the Nurse / Lab Problem Solving Committ
ee and the JOINT Commission Inspection Readiness Committee.
* Continuous training, auditing, observation, daily practice, and through use of
testing scenarios to achieve all 6 CLIA requirements, and to deliver an improve
d specimen collection sample rate from 3.9% to <2%.
* Increased receipt and tracking of tissue products on patient charts to 100% th
rough use of Meditech system, and improved tracing of final disposition of all b
lood products, from 60% to >85%.
* In addition, achieved ISBT 128 compliance in July, 2008.
LEAD TECHNOLOGIST 2004 - 2005
Consistently met departmental and team expectations. Ensured safety and operati
onal policies and procedures fully complied with, prepared technical reports, su
mmaries, and other documentation, managed internal resources, and assisted in st
orage, tracking, and utilization of blood and tissue. Managed staffing, and perf
ormed QC on equipment and reagents. Performed additional tissue responsibilities
for the OR.
* Captured data from computer system, and performed quality requirements to prep
are monthly blood and tissue reports for committee chaired by Medical Director.
Continued
Sharon Benson Page 2
* Provided insightful training for all technicians in the department. Directly o
bserved employee performance, developed written and wet tests, and followed up o
n proficiency testing of specimens to identify trends and correct errors. Focuse
d on ensuring that employees able to use critical thinking during emergencies, a
nd appropriate times to deviate from approved SOPs. Wrote evaluations and provid
ed input to assigned supervisors.
* Wrote new and revised existing procedures to match current practices.
* Made decisions involving interpretations of antibody identification, sending d
ata to reference laboratory and / or selecting appropriate blood for patient car
e needs.
* Consistently achieved departmental and team expectations. Ensured compliance w
ith safety and operational policies and procedures.
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 2000 - 2004
Performed all aspects of transfusion service, including crossmatch, antibody id
entification, inventory control, and supplier issues.
BALTIMORE WASHINGTON MEDICAL CENTER / ANNE ARUNDEL MEDICAL CENTER Baltimore, Mar
yland
CORE LAB GENERALIST, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 1996 - 2001
Served in a leadership role concerning matters in the blood bank on night shift
, performing duties in all areas of the laboratory.
* Provided expertise in the blood bank to resolve issues and ensure that expecta
tions met.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM Baltimore, Maryland
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST, BLOOD BANK 1993 - 1996
Performed complex antibody identification in support of physicians. Manufacture
d products that included washed red cells, irradiated red cells, aliquots for ne
onates, and pooled and washed platelets for neonates.
* Performed work on up to 6 specimens at one time, with duties including irradia
ting blood, and performing QC on reagents, instruments, and equipment.
Previous positions include:
Medical Technologist a" Harbor Hospital Center
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LEARNING CREDENTIALS
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE a" MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
University of Maryland
Additional courses, seminars and workshops include:
12-week NIH review classes preparing for Specialist in Blood Banking exam a Surv
eyor training conferences, CAP inspections, 2009
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CERTIFICATES & LICENSES
SBB Exam, 2007
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PRESENTATIONS
Inspection Techniques a" COLA, May 2010
All-day presentation as a paid consultant
REFERENCES AND FURTHER DATA PROVIDED UPON
ESTABLISHMENT OF MUTUAL INTEREST