Philadelphia & Beyond
Are you looking for a new contract or a permanent position in clinical or anatomic pathology? Consider Pennsylvania where history, culture, affordability, and opportunity abound. Philadelphia & Beyond Karen DiDonato ⋅ March 24, 2023 There are many reasons why someone might want to live and work in Philadelphia. Here are some of the most common: [...]
Happy Independence Day!
Independence Day has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. Let HCI connect your clinical and/or anatomic pathology career to the original colonies. Happy Independence Day! Karen DiDonato ⋅ June 26, 2022 Independence Day has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. But what is it? Here’s a brief [...]
Things To Do On Your Days Off: Boston
You’ve landed a contract anatomic or clinical pathology position in the Boston area, but now what? What will you do with your time off? Use this guide to help you explore the area, with a bonus link to help you eat like a local. Things To Do On Your Day Off: Boston Karen DiDonato ⋅ [...]
Things To Do On Your Days Off: Atlanta
You’ve landed a contract anatomic or clinical pathology position in the Atlanta area, but now what? What will you do with your time off? Use this guide to help you explore the area, with a bonus link to help you eat like a local. Things To Do On Your Day Off: Atlanta Karen DiDonato ⋅ [...]
Summertime: Skin Cancer & Mohs
Now that we’re in summer, it’s a good time for a reminder to cover your skin and wear sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. But what if you’re diagnosed? Here’s a brief primer in Mohs, and a bonus: how to get Mohs CEUs for your ASCP! avast anti track key mendeley full crack zentimo full version [...]
Happy National Cytotechnology Day!
Today we celebrate National Cytotechnology Day with an introduction on the creator of the Pap smear, which revolutionized the early detection of cervical cancer. Happy National Cytotechnology Day! Karen DiDonato ⋅ April 13, 2021 Today is National Cytotechnology Day! Every year since 1985, National Cytotechnology Day has been celebrated on May 13, the birthday [...]
Feeling Sore? Tips & Tricks to Help Foot Pain
Many people don’t think much about their feet -- until they hurt. Working in the laboratory on hard, typically concrete floors can be very taxing on the body. In honor of Foot Health Awareness Month, we’re here to guide you in finding foot comfort while working all day (and night!) in the laboratory. Feeling Sore? [...]
Feeling Sore? Tips & Tricks to Help Foot Pain
Many people don’t think much about their feet -- until they hurt. Working in the laboratory on hard, typically concrete floors can be very taxing on the body. In honor of Foot Health Awareness Month, we’re here to guide you in finding foot comfort while working all day (and night!) in the laboratory. Feeling Sore? [...]
Feeling Sore? Tips & Tricks to Help Foot Pain
Standing for hours on hard surfaces in the laboratory can be taxing on your feet, legs, joints, and more. Allows us to help you find some comfortable footwear to help ease the discomfort. Feeling Sore? Tips & Tricks to Help Foot Pain Part I Karen DiDonato ⋅ April 13, 2021 Many people don’t think much [...]
Get Closer to St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
Get Closer to St. Patrick’s Day Traditions Karen DiDonato ⋅ March 15, 2021 Saint Patrick’s Day, coming up on March 17, is the one day each year that anyone can be Irish – if not by birthright, then by spirit. There are many legends about Saint Patrick, the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. [...]
Meet your Recruiter: Jason Malone
In this recurring Q & A series, you will learn about that person with whom you've been speaking, emailing, and texting -- your recruiter. They know a lot about you, but now it's your turn to learn about them. And you'll finally be able to see if the voice matches the person you imagined! Name: [...]
New Year, New Laboratory Travel Opportunities
New Year, New Laboratory Travel Opportunities: How to prepare for contract positions while avoiding potential delays Karen DiDonato ⋅ January 11, 2021 The new year is upon us (thank goodness!) and many of us are hoping for a very different year. Do we need to just “hope” or can we create our own direction? Sure, [...]
Unlock Your Potential: A Guide to Licenses and Certification
Unlock Your Potential: Your guide to Licenses and Certification in Clinical and Anatomic Pathology Karen DiDonato ⋅ December 8, 2020 While it is possible to work in anatomic and clinical pathology without certification or state-specific licenses, getting nationally certified and/or state licensed will increase your chances of getting hired, getting a higher salary, or being [...]
Being Thankful in the Face of a Pandemic
Being Thankful in the Face of a Pandemic Karen DiDonato ⋅ November 24, 2020 The year 2020 has been a challenge for most, that’s for sure. But here we are in November, rounding the corner to Thanksgiving Day. With this gastronomic holiday comes time to reflect on the past year: remembering people we have lost, [...]
10 Fun Facts about Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, use these fun facts to get the conversation going via Zoom, phone, or in person. 10 Fun Facts about Thanksgiving Karen DiDonato ⋅ November 19, 2020 Thanksgiving may look quite different this year for many people. We’re having atypical conversations with family and friends about how to better social distance during the holiday, [...]
Meet Our Staff: Antone Bouche
In this recurring Q & A series, you will learn about that person with whom you've been speaking, emailing, and texting -- our staff members. They know a lot about you, but now it's your turn to learn about them. And you'll finally be able to see if the voice matches the person you imagined! [...]
6 Easy Tips to Effective Resume Writing
Your resume is a representation of you and your work history. Use these six steps to get your resume to best represent you. 6 Easy Tips to Effective Resume Writing Karen DiDonato ⋅ October 20, 2020 How long did it take you to create your resume? Hours? Days? Imagine if your hard work could be [...]
Meet your Recruiter: Antwan Spivey
In this recurring Q & A series, you will learn about that person with whom you've been speaking, emailing, and texting -- your recruiter. They know a lot about you, but now it's your turn to learn about them. And you'll finally be able to see if the voice matches the person you imagined! Name: [...]
Burnout: An Occupational Phenomenon
Working in a helping profession can exasperate potential feelings of burnout. This blog will define and identify burnout, and suggest techniques to help. Burnout: An Occupational Phenomenon Karen DiDonato ⋅ May 12, 2020 Have you ever felt burned out at work? Does the idea of continuing to work on a project or returning the next [...]
Keeping Fit on Assignment
Keeping New Year’s resolutions can be difficult to turn into habits. Let HCI help you understand what a habit is, how to form one, and how to stick to the most common resolution--getting fit--even when you are on assignment or traveling for pleasure. Keeping Fit on Assignment Karen DiDonato ⋅ January 29, 2020 Now that [...]
The Best of California
We currently have an abundance of contract and permanent positions in the state of California. Connect with us; we will be happy to help you find a nearby permanent position or a contract assignment in the clinical or anatomic laboratory. The Best of California Karen DiDonato ⋅ December 10, 2019 California has something for everyone: [...]
Autumn: A Season Ripe for Apple Picking
Make some memories this autumn at a pick-your-own apple orchard. HCI is happy to help you find a nearby permanent position or a contract assignment in the clinical or anatomic laboratory. Autumn: A Season Ripe for Apple Picking Karen DiDonato ⋅ October 1, 2019 The nights are getting cooler now that it’s autumn. And with [...]
New Referral Program for Lab Travelers
When our clients and employees refer laboratory travelers to us, it's the best thank you we can ask for. To show our appreciation, we're offering two amazing gifts that won't last long! Announcing a New Short Term Referral Program Karen DiDonato ⋅ August 8, 2019 Don't be like this guy! Upgrade your headphones to the [...]
Raise a Pint: International Beer Day 2019
In honor of International Beer Day on August 2, use this list of beer festivals throughout the country to visit for a day in August, or let us help you find a clinical or anatomic laboratory contract assignment nearby to attend after work. Raise a Pint: International Beer Day 2019 Karen DiDonato ⋅ August 2, [...]
Mental Health While Traveling
Staying emotionally healthy can be challenging while traveling and during a contract assignment. We compiled eight tips to help you stay mentally fit. Mental Health While Traveling Karen DiDonato ⋅ July 5, 2019 We all know we should be active year round. Staying fit has numerous physical and mental health benefits. But what about when [...]
Music Festivals in California
Consider a contract assignment in California, a state that has something for everyone -- including a higher pay rate. Music Festivals in California Karen DiDonato • June 14, 2019 Have you considered taking a travel assignment in California? Sure, it’s one of the most expensive states in the country in which to live, but [...]
Urinalysis via Smartphone
An at-home smartphone-enabled urinalysis test is the latest example of a trend toward home diagnostics driving a surging medical technology market. Urinalysis via Smartphone Karen DiDonato • May 14, 2019 The last time I was asked to provide a urine sample, the CNA at my doctor’s office handed me a sealed cup, some wipes, and [...]
Specimen Delivery by Unmanned Drone
UPS recently announced a partnership with Matternet to transport medical samples via drone across a hospital system in Raleigh, North Carolina. Specimen Delivery by Unmanned Drone Karen DiDonato • April 24, 2019 Medical samples are now being transported by an unmanned drone across WakeMed‘s flagship hospital and campus. The 941-bed hospital system includes three full-service [...]
Candida auris: Emerging fungus, serious global health threat
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is alerting U.S. healthcare facilities about a superbug on the rise nationwide that presents a serious global health threat. Candida auris: Emerging Fungus, Serious Global Health Threat Karen DiDonato • April 12, 2019 What is it? Candida auris (also known as C. auris) is a type of [...]
Debunking Staffing Agency Myths
Because you are reading this blog, you are likely considering working with HCI. Like many people who are unfamiliar with our services or who have never used a staffing firm, you probably have questions. Let’s discuss some misconceptions about using an agency in order to debunk three staffing agency myths. According to the September/October 2018 [...]
Meet your Recruiter: Sadie Samuel
In this recurring Q & A series, you will learn about that person with whom you've been speaking, emailing, and texting -- your recruiter. They know a lot about you, but now it's your turn to learn about them. And you'll finally be able to see if the voice matches the person you imagined! Name: [...]
Voice Technology in Health Care
Virtual assistants, like Amazon's Alexa, are being installed in patient rooms in a variety of patient health settings A medical center in Los Angeles is piloting a program that allows patients to use Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa to communicate with nurses and staff members. Cedars-Sinai provided more than 100 patient rooms with the Alexa-powered platform [...]
Fly Smart: 5 Tips to Travel Healthy
Whether you are a seasoned contractor with a resume full of experience in various cities or you fly only to get to your vacation destinations, these five tips are for you. Learn to travel healthy while on the plane to ensure you’ll be healthy at your destination. 1. Keep Moving There is an actual medical [...]
LabCorp Donates $1 Million to Local College
A global life sciences company donated a large gift of $1 million to a local community college with Medical Laboratory Technology, Histology, and other biotech programs. Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) recently gifted $1 million to Alamance Community College (ACC), a community college in Graham, North Carolina. The college, which has a student body of [...]
New Generation Could Change the Workforce
With millennials now well into adulthood and most transitioning into leadership roles, a new, younger generation is entering -- and could potentially change -- the workforce: Generation Z. Generation Z is defined by Pew Research Center as people born in or after 1997. The consulting firm BridgeWorks estimates that Generation Z accounts for 61 million people [...]
Hot Jobs for Both Types of Winter People
It seems there are two kinds of people during the winter: the "hibernators" and the "embracers". The "hibernators" typically stay inside warm and cozy and only venture outside to get to and from the car. They count the days until spring. Just the thought of December to March can leave them in a disappointing shiver. [...]
Meet your Recruiter: Donato Valera-Teano
In this recurring Q & A series, you will learn about that person with whom you've been speaking, emailing, and texting -- your recruiter. They know a lot about you, but now it's your turn to learn about them. And you'll finally be able to see if the voice matches the person you imagined! Name: [...]
6 packing tips for your next laboratory assignment
You've signed the contract, submitted your paperwork and compliance documentation, and your first day of work is coming right up. It’s time to start thinking about what to pack to make yourself comfortable for your 13-week (or longer) assignment. Packing for a long assignment can be daunting. Heck, even a two-week trip can cause the [...]
The Inventor: Out for Blood In Silicon Valley
One of the films to premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival chronicles Elizabeth Holmes, the criminally-charged founder of the now-defunct biotech startup Theranos, Inc. The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley highlights the world’s youngest self-made billionaire and the psychology of fraud. The 119-minute film is summarized by Sundance.org: Elizabeth Holmes arrived in [...]
8 Fonts for the Best Resumes
You spend hours creating your resume. You make sure the dates are correct; the spelling and grammar are spot on; and you’ve checked that all your verbs are parallel in structure. But did you use the most legible font? Does it demonstrate your professionalism while maintaining character? There are hundreds of thousands of fonts. Some [...]
5 Questions to Ask your Interviewer
Have you ever been at the end of a job interview when this happens: Interviewer: “Do you have any questions for me?” You: “Umm…” <<crickets chirping outside a silent room>> Sound familiar? As part of your interview preparation, you should have several questions for your interviewer. This will not only demonstrate your interest in [...]
Pumpkin spice and our laboratory staffing website
The dropping temperatures and falling leaves indicate winter is not far away. The cooler nights mean more blankets on our beds and warmer pajamas. Our windows will be closed and the heat will be turned on. We’re drinking more hot beverages -- yours may even be the infamous pumpkin spice flavor (we won’t judge). Along [...]
The Unsung Heroes of Healthcare: Medical Laboratory Scientists
In an article titled “The hidden profession that saves lives”, Rodney E. Rohde, PhD identifies the work done by medical laboratory scientists as “one of the most under-recognized health professions – with excellent job prospects”. Dr. Rohde’s article concludes that medical laboratory scientists (MLS) are the unsung heroes behind patient care. Many patients believe the [...]
Avoid These 5 Resume Writing Snafus
HCI has been in business for over twenty years and has seen more resume mishaps than I’d like to think. Some of them make me giggle, others make me wonder about the applicant. Consider these issues when crafting or updating your resume: 1 ALL CAPITAL LETTERS This one bothers me not just because it seems [...]
Poop! Labs and laboratories
Passing across my screen every day are words like “Kirby Bauer Sensitivities”, “sed rates”, “electrophoresis”, and “immunofluorescence”. I can only scratch the surface of what those words mean. Sure, I can attempt to use them in a sentence, but it would be more like a list of words instead of a cohesive word-string. I’m bound [...]
Say no to hotel living *and* restaurant eating
If you are an experienced traveler, most contract laboratory assignments begin with you staying in a hotel room for a few days while your apartment details are finalized. But what are you going to eat during that time? If you are like me, after a while I crave home cooking instead of salty and often [...]
Hello!
Since today, November 21, 2018, is the 46th annual World Hello Day… The idea for the day was born after the 1973 armed conflict in the Middle East between Israel and a coalition of Arab states. To promote the first step in peace -- communication and understanding -- brothers Michael and Brian McCormack, both students [...]
Working in the line of a California wildfire, 11/15/18
Traveler Spotlight: Kelli N., HT(ASCP) Nearly one month after arriving for an assignment in California, one of our seasoned histology contractors found herself working about a mile from the deadly “Woolsey Fire”. The fire broke out November 8, 2018 in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, and, at press time a week later, was only 57 [...]
Pass the tissues, don’t pass on the flu shot
Along with the many office-related items on my desk are cold medicine, a box of tissues, and a pot of hot tea. Yeah, I’ve got it: the dreaded first cold of the season. It seems so many people around me have already had a cold or are dealing with, let’s say, “intestinal issues”. ‘Tis the [...]
Get Started As a Laboratory Traveler
Because you work in clinical or anatomic pathology, you are very lucky to be able to take your skills and travel around working in laboratories nationwide. But how do you get started? Not to worry! HCI has over 20 years of laboratory staffing experience to share. When you accept a laboratory travel job with HCI, [...]
5 Tips For Flying With Your Pet
Many of our laboratory contractors travel with their furry friends. With assignment lengths typically around 13 weeks, many pet parents simply cannot part ways for so long. And I understand fully! In fact, one of my “coworkers” is my 9-year-old maltese/yorkie mix named Sophie. I could NOT leave her sweet face for very long! When [...]