Member Stories
Mark Ashburner, Medical Physicist
"If there’s one thing I love more than anything, it’s arguing for my colleagues to get the best and fairest outcome."
Member Spotlight:
Rachel Roth
Rachel Roth is a senior scientist in microbiology at Awanui Laboratories in Wellington, delivering services to public hospitals in the Wellington region, as well as community laboratory testing. She also serves as the APEX Secretary for the Medical Laboratory Workers Division.
Rachel Roth,
Microbiologist
What does a good day at work look like?
A good day for me is when I see something down the microscope that is unusual and interesting. Maybe a bacteria that we don’t see very often and it’s in an important sample. Having pathologists in the lab is a real advantage for us (and the patients) as we interact often during the day and pass on important results quickly.
What do you like about being a National Executive member?
I like being on the National Executive because I hear about what is happening in the wider health system. Lab workers are the hidden workforce both in hospitals and community settings. So much is going on in health, and every discipline in allied, scientific and technical is currently facing similar problems. It is encouraging to be on the executive and know that APEX is being heard at the highest level to represent all our professional interests.
“Lab workers are the hidden workforce both in hospitals and community settings.”
How have you found your involvement with APEX over the years? And why APEX —what makes us different?
With APEX being involved in so many ways and not just at HNZ, the members can rest easy that they are well represented by professionals who have huge experience in representing all the disciplines. APEX is totally relevant and from my experience as a delegate, the big difference between us and other unions is the investment in training, communication and bargaining agreements which sets us apart.
What should APEX focus on for AST professions in the future?
I would like APEX to focus on efforts to get one laboratory service in place for Aotearoa. The damage that has been done by having corporates run private labs on public money has been significant. Our profession has taken a huge hit since Covid, and it is no longer a career that young scientists and techs want to choose or work in for any length of time.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
When I’m not at work I enjoy reading, gardening when the weather is good, and DIY-wallpapering.
