Dylan Atkinson Statement of Placement
Dylan came to us, at Grimsby Diana Princess of Wales Blood Sciences, as a student in July 2021.
Throughout his year with us he rotated between our Specimen Reception / Phlebotomy areas and
our Biochemistry, Haematology and Transfusion areas. Dylan also completed all the Trust’s
mandatory training.
On arrival into the department Dylan first went into our Specimen Reception area. This involved
having to check and input patient specimens into the LIMS. Dylan also helped complete the pre-
analytic testing on the blood samples. He then progressed into our Phlebotomy out-patient clinic
where he observed and trained to be able to collect blood samples from patients. Dylan also worked
within our Covid-19 processing laboratory where he learnt and adhered to Health and Safety
protocols and learnt how to test and report Covid-19 swabs, to aid in the movement of patients
throughout the Hospital.
Dylan then spent time in our Biochemistry department where, under supervision, he helped perform
the daily maintenance on the Roche Cobas 8000 and managed the workflow of the Biochemistry
samples. He also observed validation of IQC and patient results.
Within the Haematology department Dylan helped with the maintenance, workflow and observed
the validation of the Sysmex full blood count specimens, TOSOH HbA1c specimens and ACL TOPs
coagulation specimens.
Dylan became a real asset to the department and integrated well as part of our team. He used our
standard operating procedures (SOPs) and became competent in several techniques, under
supervision. Dylan understood his limits of practise within the department and asked appropriate
questions.