What does an average day look like for you?
Dima Fiseha ‘s working day in the busy microbiology laboratory begins promptly at 9am, though she often arrives early to mentally prepare for the challenges ahead. “The first thing I do is check the daily work schedule and any communications from the night shift team,” she explains. While assignments are typically planned in advance, the unpredictable nature of hospital diagnostics means priorities can shift rapidly. “We might receive urgent samples from A&E overnight or have staffing changes that require us to adapt quickly,” Dima notes.
The morning handover meeting is a critical touchpoint where the team discusses any particularly complex cases or special requests from clinicians. “This is when we learn about samples that need priority processing – perhaps from immunocompromised patients or suspected sepsis cases where every minute counts,” Dima says.
Once at her workstation, her first responsibility is ensuring all analytical equipment is functioning perfectly. “I run internal quality controls on all our analysers before any patient samples are processed,” she emphasises. “This isn’t just routine – it’s absolutely fundamental to ensuring every result we release is accurate and reliable.” Any deviations from expected values trigger immediate troubleshooting, sometimes requiring consultation with senior biomedical scientists.
As samples begin arriving from across the hospital – from routine GP referrals to critical ICU specimens – Dima’s organisational skills come to the fore. “In a high-throughput lab like ours, meticulous sample tracking is essential,” she explains. “I create detailed worklists that follow each specimen through every stage of testing, ensuring nothing gets missed or delayed.”
Collaboration is a constant theme throughout her day. “If I encounter an unusual result or something that doesn’t match the clinical picture, I’ll discuss it with colleagues or sometimes call the requesting doctor directly,” she says. “This dialogue between lab and clinic is so valuable – it helps us provide truly meaningful diagnostic support.”
What is your favourite thing about the job?
When asked what she finds most rewarding about her role, Dima’s answer is immediate and heartfelt. “Knowing that our work directly contributes to patient care and recovery – that’s what gets me out of bed every morning,” she says. “Each sample we process represents a real person whose treatment may depend on our results.”
She particularly relishes the intellectual challenges of diagnostic microbiology. “It’s never just about following protocols – there’s real detective work involved,” Dima explains. “When we get unusual results or complex cases, piecing together the clinical puzzle is incredibly satisfying. I always try to understand the patient’s full story, not just process their samples.”
The ever-evolving nature of medical science keeps her engaged. “There are always new tests, technologies and guidelines to learn,” she says enthusiastically. “I make time to read journals, attend webinars and participate in training – it’s crucial we stay at the cutting edge to provide the best possible service.”
Beyond the technical aspects, Dima values her role in the Staff Engagement Group. “Being able to advocate for both staff and patients is really meaningful,” she reflects. “Whether it’s improving workflows or implementing new safety measures, these contributions help make our department better for everyone.”
The collaborative spirit of healthcare resonates deeply with her. “Some of my most rewarding moments come when clinicians call to discuss results or ask for test selection advice,” Dima shares. “That interdisciplinary dialogue – knowing my expertise can directly inform patient management decisions – is incredibly fulfilling.”
Is there a moment you will always remember?
Among many memorable experiences, one incident stands out as particularly poignant for Dima. “It was during a late shift when I received an urgent call from Dr Jones, one of our microbiology consultants,” she recalls. “He was desperately searching for a critical paediatric sample that should have been processed hours earlier.”
The gravity of the situation was immediately apparent. “This wasn’t just any sample – it was from a very sick child at St Helier Hospital, and the doctors suspected a life-threatening infection,” Dima explains. “The sample was difficult to obtain, and without it, they couldn’t start targeted treatment.”
What followed was an intense 20-minute search. “I checked every possible location – processing areas, storage racks, even places where samples almost never get misplaced,” she says. The breakthrough came when she thought to look in the SMP (special microbiology processing) box. “There it was – incorrectly filed and completely out of place, but thankfully intact.”
Her actions didn’t stop at finding the sample. “I processed it immediately and stayed late to ensure the results were reported as quickly as possible,” Dima recounts. The clinical team’s gratitude made a lasting impression. “Both Dr Jones and the patient’s family assistant contacted my manager to express their thanks – they said identifying the pathogen quickly made a real difference in the child’s treatment.”
This experience crystallised important professional lessons. “It reinforced that our work, though often unseen by patients, has very real human consequences,” Dima reflects. “Now when I train new staff, I share this story to emphasise why we must be meticulous in our sample handling – someone’s health may depend on it.”
How did you get into pathology?
Dima’s path to biomedical science began during her school years in Saudi Arabia. “I was always fascinated by biology, particularly how living systems function at microscopic levels,” she recalls. While initially considering Law, she found herself drawn to the investigative nature of laboratory science.
Her academic journey brought her to the UK to study Biomedical Science at the University of Hull. “The degree opened my eyes to the incredible scope of pathology,” she says. “From identifying pathogens to understanding cellular abnormalities, I loved how we could apply scientific principles to real diagnostic challenges.”
Career progression wasn’t straightforward. “As an international student, I couldn’t immediately pursue the IBMS registration portfolio needed for NHS roles,” Dima explains. Rather than seeing this as a setback, she gained valuable experience in research and private sector laboratories. “I worked on clinical trials and research projects, even co-authoring publications – these experiences deepened my understanding of quality standards in laboratory medicine.”