DLO connects with local college to recruit Medical Technologists

Finding the right candidates with the necessary skills and personality for health care positions can be a challenge. In order to improve recruiting and retention efforts, Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma (DLO) has connected with Rose State College in Midwest City, Okla., to expose students to job opportunities available with DLO through tours at its Core laboratory in Oklahoma City. Carlo Ledesma, a DLO lab supervisor who also serves as the medical laboratory technology program director at Rose State, arranged the tours to give students additional insight into the day-to-day operations of a laboratory.

“It is a win-win situation for both the Rose State students and DLO by providing the students the exposure to the laboratory operations and giving DLO the opportunity to sell our job opportunities and benefits programs that can be available to them upon graduation,” said Ledesma.

Providing lab tours is just one of a variety of strategies DLO has instituted to improve its recruitment of key technical positions, such as medical technologists, phlebotomists, and specimen processing staff. DLO recently hired its first ever medical technology training and education manager to help create a program to support current and future needs for skilled technical employees at its laboratories across the state.

Rachel Davidson has worked at DLO for more than 14 years, starting as a specimen processor in Microbiology in 2002. During her time, she has also been a medical technologist and group lead in Microbiology, and most recently was the quality assurance specialist for DLO. Davidson will assist Kim Holloway, DLO’s chief operations officer, and Human Resources in the development of a new recruiting and training program.

“I am excited to take on this new challenge to help Oklahoma’s leading diagnostic laboratory,” said Davidson. “DLO’s success is a direct result of the highly skilled staff and quality standards we achieve for the patients and physicians of Oklahoma.”

Davidson, along with DLO’s HR and Marketing departments, will review current job descriptions, produce digital and print media for recruitment events, increase social media and job site postings, and examine the current hiring process for technical positions. The group also plans to produce a series of videos to educate individuals who are considering a health care career on the various job duties and required characteristics needed to be successful.

“Evaluating all aspects of our recruitment and hiring process will enable DLO to employ the right people to serve our patients and providers, reduce turnover, and create a wonderful work environment for all employees,” said Davidson.