Press Start: Lead an Empowered Life as a Clinical Laboratorian

How am I Doing?

Glen McDaniel — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:16:00 GMT

A few years ago I was consulted by a new manager who was frustrated because several of his employees refused to sign their annual performance evaluation. Some accused him of playing favorites and being unusually harsh and punitive. After speaking with...(read more)

Will You Take the H1N1 Vaccine?

Glen McDaniel — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:37:00 GMT

Each year, my friends and family ask me if I will be taking the flu shot. Of course they are usually referring to the seasonal flu vaccine. This year, the situation is complicated by the appearance of the H1N1 or so called "swine flu." I always advise...(read more)

You Still Have a Choice

Glen McDaniel — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:07:00 GMT

Just over 2 months ago I wrote a blog discussing the NCA-ASCP merger. The blog elicited a lot of responses both directly on this site and through personal email. One nagging question has been the role of AMT in all of this. Some AMT certificants worried...(read more)

"Historically, Nothing!"

Glen McDaniel — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:50:00 GMT

Just about everyone knows someone in the workplace whose mantra is "that's the way we have always done it here." People like that are usually afraid of change and so cling desperately to the status quo long after it has outlived its usefulness. There...(read more)

Stop the Flu Madness

Glen McDaniel — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:43:00 GMT

As we approach the flu season there are lots of questions about influenza testing and horror stories about a looming epidemic or pandemic. Patients are flooding doctors' offices and emergency departments, and clinicians are demanding widescale testing;...(read more)

APHL Asks For Help With HIV Algorithms

Glen McDaniel — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:24:00 GMT

Back in 1989, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) issued a firm algorithm for diagnosing HIV; an algorithm that is still in use today as the gold standard. The patient is tested...(read more)

How to Survive a Layoff

Glen McDaniel — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:58:00 GMT

We are told that the recession is easing , but there are many people who are still feeling the squeeze. Some economists describe this phase as a "job - less recovery" and even in healthcare, lay offs and downsizing are still occurring. Some employers...(read more)

You Are Paid What You Are Worth

Glen McDaniel — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:24:00 GMT

I was speaking to a client the other day and he kept complaining about how underpaid he is. He resisted every exercise I suggested to list his strengths, competencies and value to his company. "I am very well qualified, I do a good job, I work very hard;...(read more)

What's Your Biggest Weakness?

Glen McDaniel — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:07:00 GMT

What do you do when asked by an interviewer, or your boss during a performance evaluation, "What do you think is your greatest weakness?" That question stops most people in their tracks. President Bush asked by a reporter if he had made mistakes was so...(read more)

We Teach What We Need to Learn

Glen McDaniel — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:21:00 GMT

A good friend of mine who is a life coach is fond of saying "We teach what we most need to learn." I have found that to be true not just in a metaphysical sense but also in leadership as well. I once had a boss who always brought every topic back to patient...(read more)

ASCP and NCA Unify at Last

Glen McDaniel — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:34:00 GMT

Just in: The two largest national certification agency for clinical laboratorians announced in Chicago that they have merged (finally!) Laboratorians have long recognized that one of the factors contributing to low recognition and confusion in the profession...(read more)

I Love Nurses!

Glen McDaniel — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:24:00 GMT

A few minutes ago, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed a bill to revamp the health care system Celebrating the passage of the bill, President Barack Obama, surrounded by nursing leaders at the White House , proclaimed "I...(read more)

Social Networking and Work

Glen McDaniel — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:09:00 GMT

Millions of people now practice social networking . In fact just about everyone I know has a profile on one or more sites like Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and Twitter. Some networkers are more aggressive and dedicated than others and spend hours each week...(read more)

Clothes Make the Man -or Woman!

Glen McDaniel — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:54:00 GMT

Yesterday, I accompanied a friend to the doctor to provide moral support and also to "translate". My friend historically has had a very negative experience with the medical establishment and hasn't always had an advocate for her as she navigated the complex...(read more)

Because I Said So

Glen McDaniel — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Remember as kids, how your parents would explain a directive with a terse "Because I said so." Or simply "Because!." That response demonstrated a significant imbalance of power between the parent and child. Healthcare providers are familiar with superiors...(read more)