Intern, Student

The interns laboratory experience may include exposure in one or more of the following areas:

Department Name Experience Gained
Special Chemistry- Special Chemistry will focus on Special Protein analysis therapeutic drug monitoring immunosuppressive drug monitoring and heavy metal testing. Quest uses state of the art equipment to perform protein electrophoresis and heavy metal testing. Interns will gain exposure to how protein patterns are applied to determine disease states.

Hematology- Hematology will provide exposure to complete blood counts coagulation testing urinalysis and blood banking. Quest applies the latest technology to complete blood count testing automated differentials coagulation testing and ABO Rh testing. Interns will gain exposure to using microscopes to perform manual body fluid counts and reviewing blood smears for various disease states and leukemias.

Microbiology- Microbiology will familiarize interns with clinical bacteriology including culture methods microscopy EIA automated identification and susceptibility systems such as the Vitek II Vitek Mass Spectrometry Maldi-tof and Microscan systems. Interns can expect experience with the Virtuo blood culture detection system and gain skills in processing various specimen types using sterile techniques following safety protocols and staining smears. Interns will be introduced to the latest in AI technology that enhance screening techniques and diagnostic testing for microbiology samples.

Molecular Diagnostics- Through Molecular Diagnostics inters will learn various techniques to amplify RNA and DNA; TMA RT-PCR and direct hybridization. Time will be spent learning about unidirectional workflow and the need for dedicated equipment and aseptic techniques.

Immunology/ Serology-In Immunology / Serology interns will focus on learning about infectious diseases and their diagnosis. Interns are exposed to a variety of methodologies such as ELISA chemiluminescence flocculation IFA Western Blot and DFA and antigen/antibody binding reactions. Interns will also learn about limitations and interferences of these methodologies.

Toxicology- Toxicology focuses on learning the principles and basics of forensic drug testing including chain of custody. Interns will gain an understanding of the life of a specimen as it travels throughout the forensic drug testing processes and equipment. Equipment used includes CV2000 automated aliquotter; Beckman AU 5800 automated chemistry analyzers; J57 4 point refractometer; Agilent GC/MS; Agilent GC-MS/MS; Ab Sciex LC-MS/MS; Shimadzu GC/HS and the Tecan aliquotter.

Biomedical Engineering- The biomedical engineering intern has focused responsibilities that support overall laboratory equipment and analyzer operations that can include repair preventative maintenance and troubleshooting for laboratory testing equipment. This opportunity covers various laboratory testing equipment across laboratory departments.

To be eligible to participate in the Summer Lab Internship Program students must meet the following qualifications by the start date of the program:
Completed Sophomore or Junior year in a four-year baccalaureate program in medical laboratory science chemistry human biology microbiology molecular biology molecular genetics or another human biomedical science-related field
A minimum of a 3.0 or better overall from an accredited institution
Completed course work in the following:
Biology
Chemistry
Math