SOPHIE PARKHILL

My role is a wide ranging one encompassing phlebotomy in morning clinic, stock ordering and setting up for daily blood and ultrasound appointments. Providing administrative support for the nursing team, diary management, data entry, preparation of promotional material and patient information, answering a busy switchboard and directing calls in a practice employing over 50 staff. I also implemented online access for all the major Australian pathology companies to significantly streamline the process of obtaining results.

• Collection of blood and other samples from patients in hospitals and collection centres, and more recently, Covid-19 testing.
• Strong focus on providing exceptional patient care, with the role encompassing technical and paediatric collections, specialised testing such as ECGs, blood pressure and Holter monitoring, and complex pre-surgical examinations.
• Time management in this role was exceptionally important with regards to patient appointments, sample preparation to be coordinated with courier times, monitoring of patients during time sensitive tests and keeping on top of a busy reception area and phone line, often as a single collector.
• The role also included accounts, ordering and maintaining stock levels, detailed data entry, maintaining patient records and ongoing referrals. Frequent liaising with referring doctors and other healthcare professionals, and clear relaying of instructions and test requirements to patients.

• Customer service role, providing telephone technical support to veterinary clinics across Australia and New Zealand for in-house veterinary diagnostic analysers, placing and picking product orders for our distributors with the US warehouses.

• I worked as a stablehand and strapper for various trainers, including John Size, Les Bridge and John O'Shea, caring for the racehorses in my charge, taking them to the races and barrier trials, and assisting with the daily veterinary and farriery care. I also worked at many of the Inglis Yearling and Broodmare sales, readying the horses for and accompanying them through the sale ring.

• I began with the practice as a receptionist, handling a high volume of phone calls, liaising with trainers, studs, spelling farms and referring vets, and organising patient transport, admissions and discharges.
• The role expanded to include invoicing of hospital cases and ambulatory work done at the Sydney racetracks and other equine facilities, preparation of radiography and surgical reports, and detailed documentation for the export of racehorses overseas.
• After a year on reception, I moved onto a more challenging administration and PA role, taking on the co-ordination of the student and internship program, organising work experience and externships for both Australian and international vet students, and streamlining the process of selecting new interns. During this time I was involved in the implementation and tailoring of new software for the practice.

• PAMS was a multimedia company and a forerunner in the creation of Internet software and website design. I worked as a receptionist and general office assistant providing administrative support.

• ICE was an event management company specialising in conferences, product launches and exhibitions throughout Australia and NZ. I oversaw the reception area, provided general office support, diary management and travel planning for the partners.