As part of National Pathology Week 2023, Conner Ellison, Medical Laboratory Assistant at Salford Royal Hospital shares his insight into a career in Pathology. Salford Royal is part of Northern Care Alliance, a member of the GM Pathology Network. 
What is your area of expertise?
Specimen reception within pathology
How did you develop skills in this area?
Over the duration of my career I have had the chance to build my skills, interacting with my fellow colleagues and team leaders who have helped me learn and adapt into the busy surroundings. This involved me having to learn the telepath system to order tests for patients' samples. The track automation system which processes the samples and the urgent station as well as routine booking in samples.
Why did you choose a career in Pathology?
I have always had a drive for anything that meant I was helping someone, and this was it when the opportunity came around. I didn’t have a second thought. I knew this was my moment to try my best to achieve and work to help someone as I believe it as every sample processed and tested is a life helped in some way even if that is making someone better or finding something to help the doctors. Pathology is like a mystery waiting to be solved so that also gave me the push to getting involved.
What does a typical day involve?
My day is different everyday. It can range from me processing orders from doctors requests on the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system or manual paper documents, to sorting and arranging samples to go into the track automation system. We have to do maintenance to the systems to keep them running as efficiently as possible and as smooth as it can be. It can be rather difficult to do this but that’s all part of the troubleshooting and mystery solving, as I mentioned earlier. Every day is different and so are the tasks on the track automation system.
What’s been your biggest inspiration?
This is a easy one as I have two. My nana was my true inspiration as she was a nurse for many years and always told me to make a change and always be willing to help someone regardless of who they are or where they are from or background. My second inspiration is my daughter; the reason being is I want everyone to have the best they deserve and I believe that children are the future and we need to set an example for them to follow so they can see that change isn’t bad and it is good. Each time I see my daughter I learn from her and she drives me forward to learn more how I can help and she inspires me the most as she can have good and bad days but still gets on with the day regardless.
How have you grown in your profession?
I’ve grown into my profession by the help of my colleagues and support from team leaders/ managers and using my skills I’ve learnt over time which also helped me adapt to fitting into not only pathology but the hospital environment.
What has been your biggest achievement so far?
My biggest achievement so far is getting the full time role within pathology reception as a MLA but also helping the Princes Trust, The King’s Fund, attending the Conservative Party conference in Manchester giving a speech and appearing on ITV news and radio with Tyler West.
What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in Pathology?
My advice would be not to hold back. Make a change for yourself and make a change to help another life be saved, helped or aided to help that person and most of all enjoy it to the full.