Lead Phlebotomist

Schedule

Full time; four 10-hour shifts per week from 5:45 am–4:15 pm with flexibility based on department needs; varied weekdays and occasional weekends.

About the role

At Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, the Lead Phlebotomist functions as the lead person for Phlebotomists within Laboratory Services, performing lead duties, leading projects, and serving as the liaison between management, staff, and physicians. The role supports staff in delivering exceptional patient care, adhering to standards of practice, and ensuring patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Organize work schedules and create work assignments
• Review timecards for accuracy
• Conduct quality assurance audits of staff performance
• Develop and implement quality improvement activities
• Train and mentor staff; provide feedback on performance and developmental needs
• Collect, analyze, and report on data; prepare performance and metrics reports
• Perform phlebotomy and specialized specimen collection procedures at the Phlebotomist II level

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED, homeschool equivalency, partial or full post-secondary education)
• Course in phlebotomy/venipuncture preferred
• Five years of related experience, including data entry and specimen handling
• Neonatal/pediatric phlebotomy experience preferred
• Previous experience leading a team preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Preferred: PBT(ASCP) – Phlebotomy Technician (ASCP)
• Preferred: CPT – Certified Phlebotomy Technician (ACA), (AMT), or (NCCT) by Board of Certification

Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of specimen requirements (serum, plasma, whole blood, tissue, body fluids)
• Knowledge of different specimen collection containers and media
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; delivers excellent customer service to patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers
• Strong organizational skills to handle a heavy workload and maintain accuracy
• Basic computer proficiency; operates Hospital/Laboratory Information Systems and Office software
• Independently adapts to multiple ongoing priorities and organizes workflow
• Demonstrates independent judgment and discretion to recognize problems, identify causes, and take corrective action
• Strong training, leadership, and mentoring skills
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English sufficient to perform essential job functions, especially regarding patient and employee safety

Essential Functions

People

• Promotes a positive work environment and leads the team to achieve optimal department results
• Collaborates with the patient care team by communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information
• Role models effective communication and customer service skills; assists in developing these skills in team members
• Orients, guides, and mentors team members, students, and support staff
• Assists in interviewing and hiring new staff

Service

• Follows established procedures for collecting and processing biological specimens; handles STAT samples expediently
• Performs special collections/procedures as directed and according to competency and standard operating policies/procedures
• Performs Laboratory Information System functions; registers patients and orders tests as needed
• Independently handles resolution of complex problems and issues; notifies management of resolution
• Serves as liaison between team members, management, and physicians
• Monitors and adjusts activities to ensure optimum patient throughput and experience; conducts leader rounding to meet patient satisfaction goals

Quality/Safety

• Performs interactive patient identification; labels specimens correctly 100% of the time using two patient identifiers
• Accurately processes, organizes, orders, labels, and transports specimens for laboratory testing
• Recognizes and initiates action to resolve requisition and specimen labeling discrepancies
• Recognizes problems, investigates root causes, takes remedial action, and notifies management for follow-up
• Provides feedback to management on team member performance and conduct; ensures team members follow AIDET protocols
• Develops, evaluates, and documents policies, processes, and procedures
• Maintains a safe laboratory environment; follows safety, hazardous materials, security, and emergency preparedness policies
• Assists with implementation and education of departmental safety initiatives, standards of practice, and protocols

Finance

• Manages time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks
• Provides leadership on efficient utilization of time according to budgetary guidelines
• Reviews team members’ timecards for accuracy and management approval
• Uses department resources, equipment, and supplies properly and efficiently
• Participates in inventory management to ensure adequate supply levels

Growth/Innovation

• Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions to improve quality or service
• Seeks continuing education opportunities to expand competencies with a focus on continual development

Work Attire

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes

On-Call

Employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies regardless of selection below.

On-Call: No

Travel

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No