Katherine Rishi

Main duties:

• Performed manual and automated haematology and immunohaematology testing and reporting methods per standard operating procedures.
• Oversaw the safe and efficient storage, transport, and handling of blood products.
• Liaised with clinicians regarding supplying appropriate blood products.
• Managed blood product inventory.
• Worked predominantly without supervision in a 24/7 shift environment; independently prioritising tasks and using scientific judgment.
• Operated, maintained, and performed troubleshooting of analytical equipment, and measuring devices including pipettes, centrifuges, pH meters, and timers.
• Performed monitoring of temperature-controlled devices using the Environmental Temperature Monitoring System and regular manual quality checks.
• Participated in control of material including receipting, pre-acceptance testing, and release of batches.
• Used microscopy to review blood films and performed manual white cell differential counts.
• Regularly participated in Good Manufacturing Practice Training and understood requirements as a TGA-approved laboratory as relates to the testing performed for the Cord Blood Bank.
• Participated in internal and external quality assurance activities per NATA/ISO accreditation.

Achievements:

• Elected into the role of Workplace Health and Safety Champion for 4+ years
• Implemented and improved systems to organise lab supplies and reagents.
• Directly contributed to quality by reviewing, writing, and improving 120+ Blood Bank SOPS and Methods.
• Engaged in professional development activities; Attended professional discussion groups, seminars, and online workshops relating to my fields.

• Worked in a fast-paced 24/7stat-lab environment servicing the Knox Private Hospital and local collection centres.
• Performed routine and urgent testing in the disciplines of Chemical Pathology, Haematology, and Transfusion.
• Performed triage, data entry, sample referral and customer service activities after hours.
• Worked unsupervised to prioritise specimens and work independently toward the logical solution of scientific and technical problems.
• Worked in a small, tight-knit team communicating effectively with clients, clinical staff, and colleagues to maintain a professional pathology service.
• Participated in internal and external quality assurance activities per NATA/ISO accreditation.
• Supported other stat labs in the Dorevitch group by working across stat labs sites at The Avenue Private Hospital, Warringal Private Hospital, and South-Eastern Private Hospital.

Duties:

• Performed laboratory duties according to standard procedures relating to weighing, tracking, sampling, and analysing sugar cane samples to determine the Commercial Cane Sugar content (CSS).
• Used appropriate PPE
• Performed data validation, entry, and report checking.
• Operated, calibrated, and performed troubleshooting on laboratory equipment
• Maintain sanitary cleanliness and hygiene of the laboratory and performed established "lock-out" procedures to steam clean juice sampling equipment safely and effectively.

Core Duties:

• Performed all required duties as a local relieving 24/7 shift scientist as required at the Nambour Hospital Stat Pathology Laboratory.
• Performed testing in the disciplines of Chemical Pathology, Haematology, Transfusion, Microbiology, and Anatomical Pathology.
• Performed triage, data entry, sample referral, and customer service activities after hours.
• Worked with limited supervision to prioritise specimens and work independently toward the logical solution of scientific and technical problems.
• Participated in internal and external quality assurance activities per NATA/ISO accreditation.

Stat Microbiology Duties:

• Gram staining and identification of microorganisms,
• streak-plating bacterial cultures to isolate single colonies,
• performing microscopy on fluids, urines, and CSF for identification of microorganisms, cell counts, and crystal analysis.
• Using established aseptic techniques to process CSF samples in a biological safety cabinet to prepare aliquots for microbiology, cytology, and biochemistry.

Anatomical Pathology Duties:

• Chemically processed, embedded, cut, mounted, and stained tissue samples.
• Performed immunohistochemistry staining techniques.
• Performed troubleshooting of inconsistencies and identified errors to trace root causes and implement corrective actions.