Daniela Useche Discusses the Critical Role Played By Medical Technologists

By Daniel Finch

The healthcare industry has many moving pieces. As patients come into hospitals, they are greeted by a large group of highly trained individuals tasked with ensuring their health. From doctors and nurses to health insurance agents and medical technologists, each hospital has an army of people trained to work in unison to provide results.

Each patient represents a unique case which requires different tests and treatment plans. Hospitals are equipped with teams of individuals trained in their specific fields but working together to provide a high level of results. One such position is the blossoming field of medical technologist, a role that Daniela Useche fills admirably.

Useche’s job requires the taking, monitoring, and analyzing patient samples to lay the groundwork for both diagnosis and further treatment plans. “We play a critical role in ensuring accurate, timely and reliable results,” she says of her and her fellow technologists. The first step of any good healthcare assessment is understanding the problem at hand in order to build towards the best solution.

While having a good doctor plays a big role in a patient’s eventual recovery, the role of medical technologist is not to be overlooked. Through meticulous attention to detail Useche ensures proper sample collection techniques which minimizes contamination and leads to timely diagnosis and treatment plans. “We are skilled at handling samples correctly, helping to reduce errors due to degradation.”

Within a hospital setting it is important to divide up the responsibilities, sharing the process among many skilled individuals. While Useche’s responsibilities require much less face to face interactions than a doctor or nurse, she still has an important in person role with patients. “While carrying out testing, clear communication with the patient is essential,” says the healthcare professional. 

Technologists build trust and comfort with patients helping to reduce their anxiety during the testing phase. Useche plays an integral role explaining to patients how to prepare for certain tests. With her focus in Andrology, the branch of physiology that deals with conditions specific to men, she must run down specific guidelines for days of abstinence to ensure proper results.

Without Useche’s clear communication, errors can easily spring up and either alter or halt the medical process. The importance of presenting detailed explanations to patients goes far beyond a proper diagnosis. “I help patients understand the testing we are about to perform in order for them to properly give consent, as well as put them at ease.” This stage of healthcare is not to be overlooked, especially with the litigation rampant in the United States healthcare system.

Within the hospital setting, technologists are like the glue that holds everything together. They provide invaluable and accurate results which direct doctors and nurses on how to handle a patient’s treatment plan. Useche provides assistance to nurses during procedures while also properly handling any necessary samples. She also is in communication with health insurance agents in order to verify that they meet coverage requirements.

As someone who wears many hats, Useche values communication above all. “Whether with the patients or medical staff, clear communication is a vital part of my job.” From instilling understanding in the patients to reporting on which test to perform what the results are from said test she does it all.

While medical technologists hardly ever get the spotlight, their job is truly invaluable. Paving the way for correct treatment plans and in general helping the hospital to perform at its highest level. Daniela Useche is a proud technologist who continues to work hard and look for ways to improve. With the inefficiencies that plague the healthcare system, it is reassuring to know that people such as Useche are out there working to find answers.