Intern, Student at Quest Diagnostics in Maryland Heights, MO

Summary: Quest Diagnostics is the world’s leading provider of diagnostic testing, services, and information that patients and doctors rely on to make better healthcare decisions. The Summer Lab Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain experience in various laboratory environments while performing tests and applying their skills to process improvement projects. Responsibilities: - 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 leukemia’s - 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 Required Qualifications: - 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 Required Skills: Medical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Human Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Biology