A fascination with how the human body works led Courtney Orth Production Senior Scientist to Queensland Tissue Bank (QTB), where no two days are quite the same.
“I have a deep passion for human anatomy and mechanics,” Courtney said.
“I really wanted to explore a role where I would make an impact whilst being challenged.”
Today, Courtney’s work involves a unique mix of science, clinical practice, quality and leadership, helping prepare donated tissue for transplantation.
A typical day can involve hands-on clinical tissue preparation across ocular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and skin tissue, alongside technical oversight, problem-solving, and increasingly, leadership and supervision.
“It probably looks less like a fixed laboratory routine and more like constantly balancing what is clinically urgent with what needs to happen to keep production, staff and the quality system moving,” Courtney said.
For Courtney, it’s the combination of challenge and purpose that makes the work so rewarding.
“What I enjoy most is knowing that the work we do has a real impact on people’s lives,” she said.
“I really enjoy the combination of hands-on scientific work, problem-solving and continuously looking for ways to improve our processes.”
That drive to improve how things are done recently led Courtney to take on a process improvement project within the ocular tissue service.
“It was really rewarding to see something go from an idea through to implementation and know that the work had made the process more efficient and sustainable for the team,” Courtney said.
Courtney is also continuing to develop her skills, including working on an AI project, with plans to explore how emerging technology could contribute to their field.
For anyone considering a career in health, Courtney’s experience is a reminder that there are many pathways beyond the roles people traditionally associate with healthcare.
“Working here really helps me to appreciate life more and take more opportunities.”