Emily Goulet

In layperson terms, what do you actually do at work?

After a person goes to a doctor and has a biopsy taken (ex. you go to the dermatologist and have a mole removed to make sure isn't cancerous), that tissue sample is sent to a pathology lab. Once at the lab, we assign a identifying number to it and begin processing it with the final goal of making a microscope slide that can be looked at by a pathology (M.D.) to make a diagnosis. First we "fix" the tissue to keep it from degrading. It is them "processed" in a way that removes the water from the tissue and replaces it with paraffin wax. This makes the tissue hard so we can orientate it in a mold that is filled with more wax. We then use a microtome (kind of like a mini meat slicer) to make 3-5 micron (very thin) sections of the tissue and mount the tissue on a microscope slide. That slide is then dried and stained so the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cells can be viewed. A pathologist then examines the slide for signs of disease and issues a pathology report. That report is then given to the treating physician so the patient can be notified of the results and treatment, if necessary.

When did you get your first Big Break? How did you get it? How did it go?

I started my career working in a pathology lab as a lab assistant. Being a lab assistant gave me a great view of all the processes in the lab. I demonstrated my attention to detail, desire to work hard and that I was understanding the bigger picture of what the purpose of the work done in the lab was. After a year or so, I was asked if I wanted to try some other roles in the lab; immunohistochemistry, microtomy, frozen sections, quick staining for intra-op procedures. I always said yes to learning new skills and started accumulating knowledge that allowed me to learn enough to sit for the histology certification.