The automated laboratory operates 24 hours a day

The automated laboratory produces nearly 9 million laboratory results per year, most of which are completed within 24 hours. 

The automated laboratory also serves as a teaching lab that provides students with the opportunity to learn in a modern environment.

Biomedical laboratory scientists ensure that the results are correct

Automation has accelerated the processing of samples and significantly decreased human errors. 

“Automation allows us to monitor sample flows to the accuracy of one second,” says Biomedical Laboratory Scientist Maria Värjönen. 

She emphasizes that although a sample’s journey through the laboratory is mostly automated, laboratory scientists play a critical role in examining and evaluating samples in which automated devices detect deviations. 

The laboratory scientists and clinical chemists working at the laboratory ensure that the results are correct. 

“Our laboratory serves both primary and specialized health care. We participate in the care pathway of many patients, and I find my work meaningful, because I’m helping with the care and diagnosis of patients in a concrete manner.”

Automated laboratory activities involve cooperation

Working in the automated laboratory also has its own special features. Värjönen mentions the challenges of coordinating work in three shifts with leisure time and working with technical equipment. Technology is constantly evolving, and biomedical laboratory scientists must adapt to a changing environment. 

"Our team has skilled professionals who have been working in laboratories for decades. They bring a lot of experience to our team, and we younger people can help in areas like information technology,” says Värjönen. 

In addition to laboratory scientists, maintenance personnel from an external company work in the lab and keep the equipment in working order. Continuous maintenance of the equipment is important as it must function flawlessly. 

Diverse tasks and a good work community mean satisfied employees

Värjönen has been working as a biomedical laboratory scientist since 2019. She came to the HUS automated laboratory in 2020 as a summer employee and was later hired for a permanent position. 

Värjönen’s work in the automated laboratory includes ensuring the quality of samples, processing samples, maintaining equipment, and providing customer service by telephone. Värjönen enjoys the diverse nature of her work and the challenges it provides. 

“The work stays interesting because situations are changing continuously. In addition to analytics, we take samples at different locations, which adds some refreshing variety to our working days,” says Värjönen. 

The competence and team spirit of the work community are a great source of motivation for her. 

“Everyone gets to utilize their own strengths in the automated laboratory.”