Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist

Job title : Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist

Overview

• The professional splits work between front-desk tasks and clinical tasks. The phlebotomy work involves blood collection, infection control, sample labelling and data entry.
• The medical reception work entails coordinating the daily administration of patients, visitors, staff and consultants.
• Hence, the Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist is responsible for scheduling appointments, relaying patient enquiries and the digital entry of patients' records, while also being able to draw quality samples from patients in a smooth, ethical manner and label those samples for medical testing.

Description

• The Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist position requires good knowledge of clinical work, compliance, and adherence to standards and procedures. It requires good knowledge of sample collection techniques.
• The position also requires a good understanding of professional front-desk conduct, client and test scheduling management, patient communication, front-desk workflow, laboratory software use, office coordination, routine forms and records handling, patient billing and verification, privacy policy, and the pace of day-to-day laboratory office operations.
• The position plays an important part in how organised, responsive and efficient the workflow feels to both patients and staff. The position also contributes to supporting the operations and functioning of the laboratory.
• The Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist will work as part of the front-office team and the laboratory team, while interfacing with the maintenance, sales and marketing, and finance staff.

Key Role Functions
The key role functions for the position are:

• Sample collection, labelling and routing of blood samples for laboratory testing
• Patient registration, data entry and billing
• Compliance and adherence to all safety and infection control procedures
• Customer relations and communication
• Team support and operations coordination

Duties and Key Responsibilities
The Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist is responsible for the following specific duties and responsibilities:
Sample collection, labelling and routing of blood samples for laboratory testing:

• Discuss the test to be performed, obtain verbal consent and ensure that the patient understands the procedure
• Verify the patient's identity to ensure accurate identification
• Interpret test request forms
• Prepare an appropriate site for obtaining samples, following all safety and hygiene measures and procedures
• Support the laboratory scientist in preparing and maintaining the necessary equipment and supplies used during blood-drawing procedures
• Draw samples from patients using correct techniques
• Prepare and label the samples collected for testing, procedures and identification purposes
• Transfer the samples collected to the laboratory and follow protocols for blood sample transport
• Give information, support and reassurance before, during and after the collection of samples
• Maintain sample collection standards for quality analysis and results for patients
• Keep abreast of general medical terms, basic and specialised phlebotomy procedures, and terms particular to blood collection

Patient registration, data entry and billing:

• Use the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Perform computer data entry of patient information and blood test requests
• Update patients' records and keep track of the data and information
• Collect all necessary information from clients
• Perform cost estimates, billing and invoicing tasks, and take payments
• Use other computer programs such as Microsoft Excel and Word

Compliance and adherence to all safety and infection control procedures:

• Understand and follow all safety and infection control procedures
• Practise precautions to control infection
• Maintain a clean, safe, healthy and secure working environment
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while performing duties
• Follow biomedical waste disposal protocols for the disposal of clinical waste
• Maintain and promote quality in all processes and operations

Customer relations and communication:

• Use proper manners when greeting and interacting with patients
• Work well under pressure and communicate effectively with patients
• Answer phones, review messages and relay patient enquiries
• Relay messages, send results and communicate health information
• Maintain confidentiality and respect clients' need for privacy
• Communicate with the laboratory staff and other staff to provide relevant, reliable information
• Follow the organisation's guidelines for communicating with staff, patients and partners
• Stay up to date on all tests, service products and related information
• Read internal communications
• Contribute to routine communication tasks to ensure sustained visibility and business growth

Team support and operations coordination:

• Communicate, share information and collaborate with other team members and staff to enable efficient delivery of work
• Work effectively with other people to meet requirements and the organisation's standards of performance
• Follow the organisation's policies and procedures
• Contribute to the organisation's strategic goals and efforts
• Adhere to the employee code of conduct
• Maintain records of office material stock and communicate requests for supplies and office maintenance work

Requirements:

• The nature of the work of the Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist is typically client-facing and hence requires a mix of specific requirements:
• Minimum Educational Requirement: Degree in Nursing, Degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology, or training as a phlebotomist
• Preferred Technical Training: Post-NYSC 12 years' work experience; certificate from an accredited phlebotomy programme (mandatory only for trained phlebotomists)
• Additional Requirements: Knowledge and experience of venipuncture, finger-prick techniques and sample labelling. Experience with biohazard waste disposal and following safety guidelines.
• Experience in the use of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or hospital software. Customer service experience.Organisation and time management skills to handle a variety of tasks effectively.

Required Competencies:
The required competencies for this position are:

• Writing skills, reading skills, effective oral communication (listening and speaking) and interpersonal skills. Planning and organising skills. Computer application skills. Attention to detail. Patient centricity. Professionalism. Continuous learning. Teamwork. Efficient resource use.

Working Conditions:

• The Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist position incorporates both healthcare administration work and clinical work, in line with modern industry trends.
• The duties of the position are carried out in person, not remotely. The working environment is a standard, well-equipped medical laboratory setting.
• The Medical Receptionist and Phlebotomist works five days a week at the laboratory in Jabi, Abuja, with occasional short visits to clients' residences or offices for sample collection.