(upbeat music) - Are your favorite subjects in school chemistry, biology, or physics, or do you enjoy looking at things under a microscope?

If so, you may be perfect for a career in laboratory medicine, where you work behind the scenes as a detective, testing and analyzing fluid and tissue samples.

Hi, my name is TJ Brooks.

I'm the transfusion services manager for Dayton Children's Hospital.

My job is really cool because I get to work in the blood bank.

I may be behind the scenes, but my department is very important.

If you've ever seen movies or TV shows that show medical technologists diligently pipetting samples or mixing test tubes, that's what we do, but it's much more than that.

In the blood bank, we perform pre-transfusion testing and blood component preparation for pediatric patients.

Pre-transfusion testing involves blood typing and screening and identification of unexpected antibodies and cross-matching of donor red blood cells with the patient's.

This means that we check the blood to make sure it's free from any diseases and that it matches the patient's blood type.

This is important so that the patient doesn't get sick or have a reaction.

Pediatric blood transfusions are unique due to the patients' size and their special requirements.

As the transfusion services manager, my job involves reviewing records, writing policies and procedures, and establishing robust quality systems that ensure safe transfusion and laboratory practices.

I meet, discuss and collaborate with many physicians and nurses and key stakeholders within the hospital to promote safe blood transfusion practices.

I am constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve how we do things.

It is my responsibility to make sure that we have well-trained staff in the blood bank 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

I also perform testing and prepare blood components for transfusion.

The blood bank helps many different types of patients who need a transfusion of blood, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate, which actually helps the blood clot.

These can include surgical patients, hematology-oncology patients, and those who have had accidents or other kinds of traumas.

As you can see, I get to do a lot of interesting things as a transfusion services manager, but my favorite part of my job is knowing that we save and enhance the lives of children each and every day.

I love the work that I do in the laboratory, especially mentoring others, but everyone needs a break once in a while.

When I'm not at work, I enjoy going to the gym, being outdoors, family game nights, and taking long walks with my dog.

And this career allows me the flexibility to spend time with my family.

Someone working in this field could start between 40,000 and 60,000 a year, depending on your employer.

My career path started when I joined the Air Force right after high school.

I had good grades and test scores, so they recommended the medical laboratory sciences career field for me.

I didn't have a clue what that was, but it looked and sounded pretty cool.

It turned out to be the perfect fit for me.

And when I left the Air Force, I had the credentials necessary to work as a laboratory technician.

My military credentials essentially translated to an associate's degree, and years later, I went back to school for a bachelor's in medical technology.

Working in the laboratory has been an extremely rewarding career, and if you enjoy science and biology, I highly encourage you to pursue a career as a medical technologist or medical technician.

This field is crucial for all aspects of patient care and treatment.

You'll never get bored and always get to learn about new technology.

Thank you for joining me today.

We'll see you again next time.