Week Eight Task 3

I've been working with Red Cross for a while now. I learned at lot about all kinds of positions in health care. The collection techs are actually specialized in blood work. Then, they have to learn how to do platelets or autologous later. So there are ways to move forward in the field. Then there are people who coordinate the blood drives, people who coordinate the volunteers, people who work out schedules, etc. I do receptionist work. I help keep the refridgerator and cabinets stocked, sign people in, make appointments, answer questions, and get the initial paperwork filled out. Then, people go back to the history rooms where they get their hemoglobin checked and answer medical questions. If they are eligible, they are moved to a seat and set up to donate. Once finished donating, they are escorted to the canteen area for juice and cookies. This is where I come in. I schedule their next appointments, make sure they eat and drink something, and make sure they are feeling well enough to leave the donor center.

The only negative experience I've had was with one of the Red Cross employees. I was told that since I was working a seven hour shift, that I needed to take a little lunch. I didn't want to be gone too long, and the only thing right there was the Captain D's. Well, I got a plate and went to eat in the break room at Red Cross. Someone came in and started freaking out. Apparently one of the girls there is like deathly allergic to shrimp and shellfish. Just it being in the room. So I took my food outside. Then there was an ambulance and everything. She had a small reaction. It was awful. Everyone said it wasn't my fault. And they are supposed to put up signs. And apparently one of the techs said that she doesn't take her meds everyday like she's supposed to. It was a really rough experience.

Week Eight Task 2

A common question that you hear at the Red Cross: "Are you allergic to latex?" The nurses ask this question to donors before putting on their gloves and starting the procedure. They use cornstarch to powder gloves in packaging, and some people can get respiratory systems from the powder getting in the air and getting inhaled. The best thing to do if allergic to latex is to avoid contact with it, but sometimes that isn't so easy and they have to make it known to people around them. An allergy to latex sometimes comes from people who have a lot of surgeries or who work in the medical field and are constantly exposed. I imagine that it must be extremely difficult for them to enter a hospital. Some symptoms that can come from contact with latex, if allergic, is eczema and contact dermatitis. Besides the health risks from working with blood, I think that this is one of the other common health safety issues we could be around at Red Cross.

Week Eight Task 1

There are a lot of possible hazards at the Red Cross. I work with donors before and after they give blood. Before they give blood there aren't really any problems, but there are quite a few afterwards. We are constantly reminded to never touch a donor's blood. When they are at the canteen (where they get juice and cookies) their bandages could get bloody and we are cautioned to get a nurse and not touch the blood. They can also become faint. We are supposed to do what we can to help or brace them if possible, but they remind us that if we are really small, not to try and catch someone twice our weight but try our best to help in any way we can. It is my job to keep an eye on people and make sure that they are eating and acting normal. If they look faint or queasy, we need to get them a nurse. This isn't too difficult to do though. The nurses are always just a few feet from the donors and are easy gotten in case of an emergency.

Week Seven Task 3

What skills do you possess that are unique to you?
I am really great with customer service. You have to be able to remain calm and a lot of times the customer is very angry. You need to have skills to calm down the customer, understand the problem, and do whatever is in your power to fix it. Some customers are extremely difficult to calm down. It takes a lot of patience. I've failed at this in some severe situations, but I'm getting a lot better at it.

What experiences in work or the community equip you to follow a career path you would like to pursue?
I really want to be a Medical Receptionist or Medical Assistant. I have learned a lot about being a receptionist working with the Red Cross and even more about it in the aspect of the medical field. When working in the medical field, you may work in a specific genre of health care. I know most of the information now about blood types, giving blood, giving platelets, eligibility, etc. As a receptionist you have to be familiar with the field and the terminology. That is extremely important. This has definitely prepared me for my choice of career.

What will you continue to do in your daily life to add valuable skills to your resume?
Just adding to my people skills. You have to be a people person to be a receptionist. You are the first and last person they see when they come to the office and you have to be polite, knowledgeable, and personable. I also want to add to my organizational skills. When dealing with a lot of paperwork, you have to be extremely organized and have a good system.

Week Seven Task 2

I already sent you my resume for Business Procedures.

Week Seven Task 1

My volunteer work:

• UGA concession & merchandise stands - I did stocking, inventory, register, and customer service. I also helped prepare and take orders from customers. (three years)
• Red Cross - I worked at both blood drives and the donor center. At the drives I watched over the donors and gave the refreshments to keep them from fainting. I also worked the registration desk and signed people in and had them fill out paper work. At the Donor Center, I did both of these tasks along stocking the juices and cookies and running the reception desk.

My abilities:

• I have great customer service skills.
• I can multi-task.
• I know how to handle stressful situations.
• I am a very proficient typist.
• I have good organizational skills.