Laura Umphray
Newtownards,Ards and North Down
Summary
Dedicated healthcare professional with extensive expertise in phlebotomy and patient care, specialising in venepuncture and specimen collection. Proficient in medical terminology, infection prevention, and maintaining patient confidentiality. Demonstrates exceptional skills in patient communication, health education, and empathetic care, ensuring a calm environment under pressure. Committed to strict hygiene practices and adept at using phlebotomy equipment with precision. Career goal: to advance within the healthcare sector by enhancing patient care standards through innovative techniques and compassionate service.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
2008
2008
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Healthcare Assistant
The Surgery, Newtownards
Newtownards
2013.07 - 2026.03
- Manage a HCA led treatment room under a tight appointment schedule, whilst continuing to deliver an excellent standard of service to all patients.
- Performing phlebotomy , weight and height measurements alongside vital signs for accurate health records ,urinalysis and other bodily fluid samples ensuring these are correctly prepared and labelled for transport to the laboratory.
- Maintain strict confidentiality with sensitive patient information and ensuring accurate documentation.
- Ensured hygiene standards, reducing infection risks.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on latest care practices by attending regular meetings and training opportunities.
- Communicate with reception staff to ensure appointment schedule is manageable
- Advise other health care assistants and nurses on unusual blood test requests/processes
- ECG’s and 24 Hour Blood pressure monitoring
- Assisting with minor surgery clinics and coil fittings
- Ear syringing, simple wound dressings, suture and clip removal
- B12, flu, pneumonia and covid booster vaccines under direction of a personal specific directive
- Ensuring all equipment and stock is up to date and reorder when necessary
- Providing patients with health and well-being advice providing them with secure resources for extra information
- Teaching medical students , promoting their professional development.
Phlebotomist
Hillsborough Health Centre, Hillsborough
Hillsborough
2009.05 - 2013.07
- Performed phlebotomy duties in the treatment room as requested by GP’s, and assisted registered nurse with dressings.
- Phlebotomy, urinalysis and other samples ensuring these were correctly labelled ready for transport to the laboratory
- Managed near patient testing clinics for warfarin and immunosuppressant medication twice weekly
- Communicating with district nursing team to ensure blood tests carried out for house bound patients
- Ensuring all equipment and stock is up to date and reorder when necessary
- Trained staff members on new equipment for near patient warfarin monitoring and wrote the protocol for same
- Assisted in training new staff on phlebotomy procedures, leading to smoother operations.
Auxiliary Nurse
Ulster Hospital, South Eastern HSC, Dundonald
Dundonald
1995.03 - 2009.04
- Assisted with patient care as assigned by ward manager.
- Reported and documented patient care activities accurately.
- Communicated with nursing colleagues regarding patients' conditions.
- Served meals and aided patients in feeding when necessary to ensure nutritional needs are met.
- Set up medical equipment to support timely treatment delivery.
- Provided personal hygiene assistance to patients, ensuring comfort and dignity.
- Made beds and changed bed linen routinely.
- Monitored vital signs regularly, alerting medical staff to significant changes promptly.
- Gained NVQ level 2&3 in Health and social Care
- Attended training sessions regularly, updated caregiving skills and knowledge.
Care Assistant
Crestacare Nursing Home, Comber
Comber
1992.02 - 1995.03
- Provided care and support to elderly clients maintaining dignity and where possible independence
- Assisting clients with personal day-to-day needs (e.g. showering, using the toilet, washing, dressing and grooming)
- Supervising meals and snacks, feeding clients when necessary
- Monitoring client health conditions, escalating any concerns to care manager
- Gained valuable basic nursing skills, which created a foundation to further career
- Delivered excellent customer service by addressing concerns of patients' families.
- Worked closely under supervision from registered nurses contributing to efficient workflow within the facility.
- Adhered strictly to professional standards, regulations and policies at all times while executing duties.
- Used manual handling techniques and lifting aids to position clients in safe, comfortable postures.
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Health and Social Care
City & Guilds Belfast
BelfastNVQ Level 2 - Health and Social Care
City & Guilds Belfast
BelfastAS Level - General Studies and Accounting
A-Level - Biology & Chemistry
GCSE - Maths
GCSE - English, Biology, Chemistry, Art and design
GCSE - French
Skills
- Sample and specimen collection
- Medical terminology understanding
- Measuring vital statistics
- Initiative taking
- Sharps disposal
- Stocktake
- Venepuncture
- Patient confidentiality
- Infection prevention and control
- Patient education
- Basic life support
- Venipuncture technique
- Phlebotomy equipment use
Certification
- COVID 19 Vaccinators core skills- Adult and children (over 5 years) vaccinations (Oct 2022)
- Public Health, Brief Intervention for Health and Well Being Advisors (2019)
- Annie Barr professional development Ear care training (2015)
- ‘352’ training academy , Wound management (2015)
- Ards GP federation tissue viability and wound assessment (2015)
- Annie Barr Immunisation training for health care assistants (2013)
- The Beeches nursing education, Personal safety in the workplace (2005)
- The Beeches nursing education, Care of the dying (2005)
- Blood pressure & non invasive blood pressure measurement (1998)
References
References available upon request.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Healthcare Assistant
The Surgery, Newtownards
2013.07 - 2026.03
Phlebotomist
Hillsborough Health Centre, Hillsborough
2009.05 - 2013.07
Auxiliary Nurse
Ulster Hospital, South Eastern HSC, Dundonald
1995.03 - 2009.04
Care Assistant
Crestacare Nursing Home, Comber
1992.02 - 1995.03
NVQ Level 2 - Health and Social Care
City & Guilds Belfast
AS Level - General Studies and Accounting
A-Level - Biology & Chemistry
GCSE - Maths
GCSE - English, Biology, Chemistry, Art and design
GCSE - French
NVQ Level 3 - Health and Social Care
City & Guilds Belfast