The Objective Lens Podcast

The Objective Lens

The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
This podcast is about life in the medical laboratory and discusses issues that are important to the people who work there. We also will give you tips and support for some of the unique challenges of working in the medical laboratory and in health care. Although each episode will have a laboratory slant to it, many people working in health care may find the information useful and relatable. We'll be talking to subject matter experts in their fields, such as lawyers, union representatives and physicians, using their expertise to help you. If you want to connect with us, ask questions or give suggestions for future episodes you can find us on Facebook and Twitter @csmls. The Objective Lens is the official podcast of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS), the professional society for medical laboratory professionals in Canada.
Episode 30 — A Coffee Invitation to Career Development
Career paths are not always linear. Curves and bumps along the way can take your career to unexpected places. In this episode, we drop into a discussion with three lab professionals who know what its like to wonder the career path to beyond the bench. They offer advice to help medical laboratory professionals manage their career development, and sometimes a cup of coffee can influence the path you take.
Sep 3, 2019
42 min
Episode 29 –  On the Bench and In the Hot Seat
Legally defending your medical lab’s work is no laughing matter. In this episode, we speak with a geneticist who has provided testimony in order to help medical laboratory professionals navigate the process. We also take a look at forensics in crime scenes and how sharing your DNA publicly online could have consequences.
Aug 27, 2019
34 min
Episode 28 – A Piece of the Puzzle
The opioid epidemic is a complex and multi-layered problem. In this episode, we explore how various factors are contributing to this crisis. We also delve into how one novel drug testing methodology might just be one piece of the puzzle to combat the epidemic.
Aug 20, 2019
27 min
Episode 27 – Over the Rainbow: Gender Diversity and Health Care
Health care professionals have a responsibility to use correct gender information to respectfully and properly care for all patients. In this episode, we discuss how gender diversity impacts patient care with three panelists who bring their own expertise and experience to the topic.
Aug 13, 2019
1 hr 14 min
Episode 26 – Breaking the Glass Ceiling Together
The medical laboratory is a female dominated profession; however, this isn’t the case for leadership roles. Why is that? In this episode, we delve deeper into the challenges and mindsets that might be holding women back from taking on such positions, and what can be done to create a truly equal workplace.
Aug 6, 2019
29 min
Episode 25 – Lab in a Hockey Bag
When natural disasters, bioterrorism or public health epidemics strike, Canada has a national emergency system in place to protect its citizens. In this episode, we speak with directors who oversee different components of this system, and you might be surprised at how uniquely Canadian it is—hint, hint: it involves hockey.
Jul 30, 2019
36 min
Episode 24 – The Lone Ranger
Are you new to the profession and thinking of working alone? Or are you contemplating accepting a job offer where you would have to work on call or at night, where other lab professionals are nowhere in sight? In this episode, we will help you navigate working solo. We also share the lived experience of two CSMLS members who are lone lab rangers during their shifts.
Jul 23, 2019
36 min
Episode 23 – Tip of the Iceberg
Has the idea of taking a genetics test ever crossed your mind? Maybe you have limited access to lab services, or maybe you think these do-at-home tests are a harmless look into your ancestry. In this episode, we speak with a genetics counsellor and a genetics technologist to explore the drawbacks of these tests, like error rates and placing more strain on an already overburdened health care system—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Jul 16, 2019
40 min
Episode 22 – The New Frontier
Do you ever wonder if artificial intelligence will replace medical laboratory professionals? Or maybe you’re curious as to what current advanced technology looks like in the lab context, and how it will affect your everyday work life. In this episode, we speak with medical laboratory professionals who have implemented cutting-edge software in their own lab. We also delve into exciting artificial intelligence research for health care applications.
Jul 9, 2019
35 min
Episode 21 – We are back
We’re back and ready to deliver season three of The Objective Lens. Here’s a quick sneak peek into some of the big questions we will be tackling this year. Stay tuned over the next couple weeks to be sure you don’t miss the first episode.
Jul 2, 2019
2 min
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