Position overview

ACT Pathology is a division of Canberra Health Services with laboratories located at both Canberra and North Canberra Hospitals operating 24 hours, 7 days a week all year round and Collection Centres located at six other sites. Pathology provides diagnostic and consultative services to medical specialists and general practitioners and their patients in hospital and in the community.

Customer Services, ACT Pathology is primarily the liaison between patient, clinician, and laboratory. Customer Services is responsible for the collection of pathology samples from patients within Canberra and North Canberra Hospitals, outpatient collection centres within the community and a home collection service for those that are too frail to attend an outpatient room.

Under direction of the Customer Services Manager and the Pathology Collections Manager you will be required to perform collection procedures working across all sites, perform reception duties, data entry, stock maintenance and a liaison role with patients and clinicians.

Customer Services operate from Monday through to Sunday between the hours of 6:30am to 5:30pm and on public holidays.

This position is for a full-time phlebotomist who must be available to work between the hours of 6:30am and 17:30pm five days a week and as operationally required at any ACT Pathology location, including weekends and public holidays.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Perform pathology specimen collections (including but not limited to venipuncture, swab and fungal scrapings etc.) whilst adhering to the standard ISO 15189 Medical Laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence as documented in the procedures of ACT Pathology and Canberra Health Services.
2. Prepare pathology specimens for transport adhering to National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) Guidelines as documented in the procedures of ACT Pathology.
3. Perform reception duties by attending to outpatients and telephone enquiries. Liaising with clinicians and laboratory staff when required.
4. Perform data entry of patient requests ensuring accurate entry of all relevant data.
5. Ensure an understanding and commitment to continuous quality improvement and customer service.
6. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality of patient and laboratory information.
7. Stock maintenance, ensuring consumables are in date and prepare store orders for customers.
8. Commitment to perform duties in any of the customer service sites and participate in weekend roster as required operationally.
9. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Have good written and oral communication skills and the ability to liaise with a diverse range of clients.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
• Be Self-motivated.
• Resolve consumer enquiries, provide information and options, and/or refer customers to the appropriate area of pathology
• Conduct data entry of pathology tests.
• Develop and maintain relevant knowledge in relation to procedures and processes.
• Ability to apply professional/technical knowledge.
• Develop a general understanding of the role and functions of the organisation, aware of issues that may impact allocated work tasks
• Understand and follow relevant legislation and procedures.
• Work constructively as part of a team.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Certificate III in Pathology Collection or other approved qualification with a minimum of twelve months venepuncture experience.
• A current Australian driver’s licence.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Have an understanding of National Association of Testing Authorities (NAA) accreditation requirements.

Experience

Essential

• 12 months phlebotomy experience

Desirable

• Pathology data entry experience
• Medical terminology experience
• Customer Service

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
• Be available for occasional weekend and after-hours work.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience and must be addressed in your application:

1. Proven ability in blood collection from both adults and children using venepuncture and capillary techniques, including knowledge of tubes, additives, orders of draw and special handling requirements for blood collections.
2. Detailed knowledge and experience in collection of other pathology samples, for example (but not limited to) swabs, urines, and fungal scrapings.
3. Experience in the use of computer programs and laboratory information systems with high level of keyboard skills.
4. Proven ability to manage and prioritise workflow and perform consistently at a high level in regard to accuracy and attention to detail, including knowledge and understanding of privacy and confidentiality legislation as it pertains to health information.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health, and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.