Work-Life Integration: Tips for Surviving and Thriving in a Busy Career

Stress will always be part of a pathologist’s or laboratory professional’s job. Several ASCP members offer tips that have helped them survive—and even thrive—in a busy career, as well as tips that employers can use to support their staff.

Self Care

“I remind myself not to stress out about things I cannot control and that I can control how I react to stressful situations,” says Carlo Ledesma, SH(ASCP)^CM, MT(ASCPⁱ)QLS^CM, program director for the medical laboratory technology and phlebotomy programs at Rose State College, in Midwest City, Okla. Work-life balance is something he strives for since he juggles administrative responsibilities with being a full-time doctoral student in a laboratory science program. Travel and spending time with friends are two diversions he uses to provide a much-needed break from work and school.

He also advises younger professionals who are climbing the leadership ladder to find a mentor with whom they can discuss job-related matters as well as work-life balance. And, they should also find social, athletic or cultural activities they enjoy outside of the job.

Busy professionals will sometimes forego using their vacation time under the excuse that they have too much work to do. But that can actually be detrimental to one’s emotional health and wellness.

Troy Krieger, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, SCYM^CM, QLS^CM, CLS(MT), who works in a Flow Cytometry Laboratory in Billings, Montana, says it’s important that laboratory professionals and pathologists use their vacation time, make sure they maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep and exercise.

ASCP President-Elect Kim Sanford, MD, MASCP, intentionally blocks free time into her schedule and does something special for herself each week, whether it’s a pedicure, massage, going to the gym or doing an outdoor activity.

Scheduling these activities on the calendar is important for Dr. Sanford as she has very little free time in her role as medical director of the blood bank at Virginia Commonwealth University and the undergraduate medical education director of the pathology department for both the medical school and dental school. In addition, she teaches an introductory pathology course to both sets of students and helps organize the pathology sections of each system-based course. Dr. Sanford also coordinates all the electives in pathology for the M3 and M4 students (the upperclassmen of medical students) and coordinates the observerships for undergraduate students eyeing medical school.

“To be in this career long term, you have to plan downtime and realize that you won’t be successful at everything,” says Dr. Sanford, ASCP President-Elect. “You have to be forgiving of yourself.”

To stay organized, and keep her busy schedule controlled, she maintains an ongoing to-do list and a project list on a large white board in her office. She has regular meetings with her education assistant, medical office assistant, and associate director each week. “You need to have an accountability partner to keep you on track,” she adds.

“It is important for women to recognize they cannot do it all,” Dr. Sanford adds. “Paying for services that can lighten their load, such as yard care, housecleaning and grocery pick up or delivery, is money well spent. This helps free up time to recharge.”