For the past 17 years, Tasha has worked at Dynacare providing laboratory services to her patients. As a Medical Laboratory Technician at the Garden City Laboratory and Health Services Centre (LHSC), she performs a range of duties, including benchwork, data entry, and phlebotomy (blood draws for medical testing).
“Our workplace is a fast-paced environment, so we do our best to work quickly and efficiently while still providing friendly customer service.”
Tasha notes that many people don’t realize laboratory work extends far beyond drawing blood. It’s precise work that is essential to determining accurate diagnoses and treatment.
“Each sample must be drawn correctly, prepared to specific requirements, and shipped accordingly. This may require centrifuging, freezing, protection from light, or strict timing for collection and transport.”
Tasha was encouraged to pursue a career in healthcare by her mother, completing the Medical Laboratory Assistant course when she was pregnant with her first child. With an interest in human anatomy and physiology, she was drawn to a role combining science with direct patient care.
It wasn’t long before she knew she had made the right choice. After tragically losing her partner before the birth of their daughter, Tasha returned from maternity leave to find that the distraction of work helped her cope with the immense grief.
“My patients provided purpose during an incredibly difficult time and reminded me how important my work truly is.”
Like many health-care workers, Tasha faces the challenges of high workloads and staffing shortages. She believes meaningful change begins with simplifying systems, improving efficiency, and hiring enough staff so workers aren’t pushed beyond their limits.
Despite these challenges, she remains motivated by her patients and values the connections she builds with them.
“Sometimes a patient will recognize me from a previous lab and request me when they come in. That’s what stands out to me as a success story.”
Tasha is also a strong advocate for medical laboratory sciences. She regularly encourages interested patients to consider careers in the field and shares advice on training and phlebotomy. She says these conversations have helped inspire new hires at Dynacare.
Outside of work, Tasha enjoys spending time with her family: hiking, watching the northern lights and star-filled skies, exploring lakes, trying new restaurants, and discovering new trails around the city.