TIPS FOR DEPARTING OFWs

HEMATOLOGY: Question 6

A patient has been diagnosed with anemia and the physician wants to assess how well the bone marrow is producing RBC's. The physician requests which of the following test to be drawn and tested?

 

a.  Haptoglobin

b.  Reticulocyte

c.  Myoglobin

d.  Iron Panel

 

ANSWER:  b. RETICULOCYTE

SOURCE:  keywordhungry.com

CLIN CHEM: Question 2

ANTI-SMITH ABs(Anti-Sm)  are very specific markers for ______:

a. Scleroderma
b. Sjogren's Syndrome
c. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
d. (MCTD) Mixed Connective Tissue Disease ANSWER:  c. SLE

MICROBIOLOGY: Question 6

What is the biosafety level of Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

Answers:  BSL III

SOURCE:  cdc.com and alyvea.com

HEMATOLOGY: Question 5

What RBC inclusion can be seen on blood smear of a child who accidentally ingested moth balls?

ANSWER:  HOWELL JOLLY BODIES

SOURCE: www.medical-labs.net

MICROBIOLOGY: Question 5

What is the test associated with Scarlet Fever?

Answers:  Dick Test

 

NOTES: 

This is a method of determining susceptibility to scarlet fever by injection into the skin of 0.1 cubic centimetre of scarlet fever toxin. A reddening of the skin in an area over 10 millimetres (0.4 inch) in diameter within about 24 hours indicates a lack of immunity to the disease. Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by Group A streptococcal bacteria, commonly affecting children.

 

SOURCE:  britannica.com

Microbiology: Mnemonic #1

CULTURE PLATES

BBE (Bacteroide-Bile Esculin) - Bacteroides fragilis

CCFA (Cycloserine Cefoxitin Fructose Egg Yolk) - Clostridium difficile

EYA (Egg Yolk Agar) - Clostridium & Fusobacteria (Lecithinase & lipase prod)

LKV (Laked Kanamycin-Vanco) - Bacteroides & Prevotella

Thio - Aerobe, facultative anaerobe

Martin Lewis - Neiserria (CO2 ↑) BCYE (Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract) - Legionella & Tularemia Regan Lowe + Bordet-Gengou - Bordettella pertussis Rabbit BA/Horse - Haemophilus TCBS - Vibrio LIM Broth (Todd Hewitt) + Colistin & Nalidixic - GBS Human blood tween agar (HBT) - G. vaginalis CIN (Cefsulodin-Irgason Novobiocin) - Y.enterocolitica (Aeromonas & Plesiomonas) XLD (Xylose-lysine deoxycholate) - Salmonella & Shigella HE (Hektoen enteric) - Enteric pathogen (stool) Cystine-tellurite BA - C. diptheriae (black colonies) Loeffler medium - C. diptheriae Tinsdale agar - C. diptheriae

POEA CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

This was effective May 16, 2012, so there might be changes made thereafter.

BLOOD BANK: Question 2

What is the most common antibody associated with cold agglutinin disease?

ANSWER: Anti-I

NOTES:

Cold agglutinins are IgM antibodies and are often present at the start of or in the first week of clinical illness of CAD.  Most red cell cold agglutinins encountered in clinical practice show anti-I specificity.  It is also associated with of M. pneumoniae. 

SOURCE: www.sciencedirect.com

MICROBIOLOGY: Question 4

What is the rapid test for Legionella?

Answer:  Urine Antigen

Source: Dr.T.V.Rao MD

PREPARE YOUR DOCUMENTS!

Here is the checklist of the basic documents you need to prepare so that applying to the US as a Medical Technologist will be smooth sailing.

· HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

Where: Your high school 

I somehow lost the original, so I went to my high school alma mater and asked for a certified copy.  I had to pay a certain amount for it.  I think I asked 2 certified copies from them, one for my keeping and one they had to submit directly to CGFNS for the VisaScreen.

· DIPLOMA OF BSMT

Where: Your college

I believe you have this on hand once you graduate the 4 year course.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.

· TRANSCRIPT OF SCHOOL RECORDS

Where: Your college

You have to ask for at least 2 certified copies of this to be sent to your agent/employer and to the Foreign Credential evaluating company.  I think you also have to ask them to send a certified copy directly to CGFNS for the VisaScreen.

· FOREIGN CREDENTIAL EVALUATION

Where: WES or JSILNY

I chose JSILNY because it was cheaper that time.  Click HERE to download and print the application form.  It contains all the instructions already.  Shown below was my application status.

· PRC MEDTECH CERTIFICATE

Where: PRC 

I believe you have this on hand once you pass the board exam.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.

· PRC MEDTECH BOARD RATING

Where: PRC 

I believe you have this on hand once you pass the board exam.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.

· AMT or ASCPi CERTIFICATE and SCORE REPORT

Where: AMT or ASCPi 

Most of us took the test for the ASCPi.  The certificate is valid for 3 years and you can renew it thereafter by paying a fee and maintaining a certain amount of CEU.  I will discuss more on the process of taking the ASCPi in another post.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.

· ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETENCY

Where: TOEFL or IELTS

Most of us took IELTS.  It is valid for 2 years.  Basically, it is just needed to complete the VisaScreen application.  Your employer may also need a clear or scanned copy of the results/certificate.  I may post a detailed discussion on this someday.

· CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT

Where: Employer

You need at least 2 years of employment preferably in a tertiary hospital as a generalist.  You also need to ask for a Job Description which I believe you can get from the HR department.

· RESUME

Where: Yourself

When I made my resume, I learned that I should not put photos on them.  However, some agency prefer to have some photos posted, so it really just depends.  Some also prefer to have at least 3 character references.

· PASSPORT

Where: DFA (Department of Foreign Affair)

At the time I processed my passport it was only valid for 5 years.  I heard it has now extended to 10 years.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of the first page of the passport.

· BIRTH CERTIFICATE

Where: PSA (Philippine Statistic Authority)

I already have a bunch of certified copies of my birth certificate so this was really a no-brainer for me.   Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.  If you are married, you may need to get a hand of your MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE as well.

· NBI CLEARANCE

Where: NBI (National Bureau of Investigation)

It is only valid for 6 months.  I forgot if this was really required but I remember lining up for this for something.

· VISASCREEN CERTIFICATE

Where: CGFNS
Prepare the following documents: secondary school diploma, college diploma and TOR, PRC certificate, IELTS and ASCPi/AMT certificate.  Honestly, this was the most challenging thing I had to process.  It was just too complicated for me on top of it being sooooo expensive.  I had to pay 540 USD for the application.  It was no spare money for me at that time.  It was like almost 3 months worth of my salary working as a Medtech in the Philippines.  Anyhoo, too much for that.  Again, I'll talk more on that in another post.  Basically, this is valid for 5 years and renewable for a certain fee.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.   

STEP BY STEP US VISA INTERVIEW

From the Hotel (Hotel 101 near MOA), we left 7:40 AM and arrived by 8:00 AM by the bridge.  It costs us P 120.00 for the Taxi.  This happened on May 18, 2016 (Wednesday).

Picture taking is prohibited.  My schedule for the interview was 9 AM and I was all done by 9:30 AM.  The whole process was really smooth but nerve-racking  at the same time.

1.  Gate opens 15 minutes before the schedule.  Present your passport & confirmation letter.

2.  Leave your gadgets behind!

3.  STEP 1(initial screening) - present passport, confirm. letter and NOA

4.  STEP 2(fingerprint capture)

5.  STEP 3(interview)
     Here are possible questions that will be asked:

• What's your name and birthdate?
• What state will you be working?
• What will your work be?
• What course did you take and when did you graduate?
• Have you practiced your profession prior to applying for the job in the US?
• How much will your pay be?
• How many hours will you work? (I think I answered 8 hours, hehehe..maybe it should have been 40 hours per week?)
• Have you read your rights as a nonimmigrant worker? (You will be provided a booklet on this.) 
  

• Who will keep your passport? (Of course, you should say that YOU will keep it.)

6.  PASS! They will take your passport & it'll be sent back approx. 1 week after through 2go.

(Mine arrived by Friday, the next week.)

  

GETTING READY TO WORK IN THE USA AS A MEDTECH

Steps:

1. Prepare documents : IELTS, ASCPI, VisaScreen , Credential evaluation(JSilny or WES) and certifications.
2.  Have at least 2 years of experience in the laboratory preferably as a generalist.
3.  Look for job openings online preferably in non-profit US hospitals or acquire assistance from an agent (for direct hire), placement agency (MedPro Staffing, Passport USA, etc) or ask referral from your former coworkers who have worked in the US already.
4. Pass the interview of your prospective employer (through skype, phone call, etc.)
5. Employer will file the H1B petition at   USCIS.  Once completed, documents will be sent to you.
6. Schedule for a US Visa interview at the US embassy in Manila.  Payment will be done through MRVP.
7. Complete the POEA requirements, medical certification and PDOS.
8. Book your ticket.
9. Hello US of A.  Get your SSN right away.

BLOOD BANK: Question 1

What is the storage temp of FFP?

ANSWER: -18 C

NOTES:

FFP volume of the unit is usually 200 – 250 ml and stored at -18° C or below within 8 hours of collection. It outdates in 12 months. One mL of FFP contains approximately 1 unit of factor activity.

Prior to administration FFP is thawed at 30 - 37° C in a thawing device. If thawed in a water bath, a protective wrap is used to prevent contamination of the ports on the unit. Thawed FFP is stored at 1-6° C and must be infused within 24 hours of thawing. After 24 hours, the component must be discarded.

SOURCE: www.labce.com

CLIN CHEM: Question 1

APO A1  is the major protein component of ______:

a. HDL b. LDL c. VLDL d. Chylomicrons

ANS:  a. HDL

NOTES: Deficiency of apo A1 is associated with HDL deficiencies, including Tangier disease and systemic non-neuropathic amyloidosis. Apo A1 may have a role in protection against Alzheimer's disease. SOURCE: patient.info/doctor/apolipoproteins

HEMATOLOGY: Question 4

What is the condition commonly associated with STOMATOCYTES?

ANS:  LIVER DISEASE

NOTES:

Stomatocytes are red cells with a slit-like or “fish-mouth” central pallor. Stomatocytes may be seen in patients with alcoholic liver disease, hereditary stomatocytosis, or Rh null disease.  They may form in vitro in the presence of certain cationic medications or low pH.

SOURCE: hematology.org