Healthcare Science Week: Clinical Biochemist Vanessa Lo Curto | News

To mark Healthcare Science Week (10-16 March), we’re a shining a spotlight on some of Royal Surrey’s healthcare scientists and their vital role in patient care, making sure patients get the right diagnosis and safe, effective treatment.

Vanessa Lo Curto talks about her role as a Clinical Biochemist, working as part of a large team within the Berkshire Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) network.

Tell us about your role?

As clinical scientists in biochemistry, we are responsible for the clinical interpretation and analysis of blood and urine samples. Our scope also extends to other samples, such as faeces, cerebrospinal fluid and kidney stone. Although we often work behind the scenes, we play a crucial role in the diagnosis and monitoring of biochemical disorders. These disorders can include conditions such as diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and abnormal liver function. While these are some of the more common issues we encounter in the laboratory, the actual list of conditions we address on a daily basis is remarkably extensive.

What did you do to train for it?

I gained a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and subsequently applied for the Scientific Programme for Clinical Scientists. This programme required me to attend the University of Manchester for three years to obtain my Master's degree in Clinical Biochemistry. During this time, I also worked at Royal Surrey as a trainee healthcare scientist. This role allowed me to apply the concepts I was learning at university and gain a deeper understanding of the daily responsibilities of a clinical biochemist.

What is the objective of your role?

My role is to make sure that patients receive accurate results in a timely manner. I support GPs and other healthcare professionals by advising them on additional tests that could enhance patient care.

I aim to make sure patients receive outstanding service by continuously improving our laboratory's performance and quality. We aim to introduce new in-house tests that can reduce turnaround times, allowing clinicians to act quickly and manage patient care effectively. 

What are some of your day-to-day tasks?

My job involves multitasking and encompasses a variety of responsibilities, which keeps my work interesting since every day is different. This includes being on the rota as a duty biochemist to authorise results, conducting clinical audits, introducing new assays for the laboratory, and contributing to the laboratory's quality by addressing any non-conformities that arise.

What is the best bit of your job?

Helping healthcare professionals and patients makes me feel fulfilled. Even though this job is not patient-facing, it is rewarding because the impact is significant. The investigations I conduct as a duty biochemist play a crucial role in helping clinicians determine the causes of patients' illnesses. I find great satisfaction in this aspect of my job, as it allows me to contribute in a meaningful and unique way.

What would surprise people about it?

Many people would be surprised to learn just how important this job is. Often, the existence of this profession is not well known. When I’ve attended events like Healthcare Scientist Week or the trust's open days, I’ve encountered numerous individuals from the public who were unaware that, between the machines producing results, there are professionals analysing those results in addition to the GPs.

What would you say to people thinking about going into this profession?

This is a wonderful opportunity where you can truly make a difference. There are numerous possibilities for personal and professional growth, making it a rewarding experience. You will never be bored at work; everything we do is significant and requires critical and logical thinking to provide better care for patients.

Why are you proud to do this job?

About 70 to 80 per cent of patient management decisions are based on blood test results, and being part of the process which allow the release of accurate results makes me proud every day.