Phlebotomist /Associate

Position Summary

Phlebotomist/Associate II collects blood from patients following established standards and practices to assure specimen quality while maintaining the safety and comfort of the patient. Responsibilities include receiving and tracking specimens, performing venipuncture and finger/heelstick, coordinating specimen collection, and handling specimens in the laboratory information system.

Responsibilities

• Follows AIDET protocol consistently including explanation of procedures performed to patient.
• Practice hand hygiene, use appropriate personal protective equipment involving gloves, gowns and mask if required.
• Assure proper patient identification prior to the performance of any procedure.
• Perform venipuncture and finger/heelstick to obtain blood specimens using appropriate aseptic technique to maintain specimen integrity.
• Maintain safety and comfort of the patient. Proper care of phlebotomy site.
• Care for phlebotomy sites.
• Coordinate specimen collection for special studies.
• Perform waived testing such as fingerstick PT and/or glucose/cholesterol.
• Accurately label specimens, receive and track specimens into the laboratory information system.
• Dispose sharps and medical waste in accordance with hospital policy.
• Organize, stock, maintain phlebotomy trays in a sanitary condition.
• Maintain supplies for phlebotomy; assist technologists in maintaining the general supply storage area.
• Maintain regulatory documentation including temperature, inventory control and lot numbers.
• Clarify orders with physicians' offices.
• Arrange patient redraw if necessary.
• Receive specimens from patients, OR, ER and physician offices; label and track laboratory specimens as required.
• Verify the complete accuracy of test orders from Test requisition.
• Prepare specimens correctly for sending out to reference laboratories including knowledge of manifests and tracking procedures.
• Package "pass-through" specimens to Quest or LabCorp.
• Correctly document all information on specimens received, specimens sent out and transportation temperature on test requisition.
• Distribute specimens to the correct laboratory department.
• Promptly follow up on all problems in problem folder by investigating issue and calling physician offices/patients as necessary.
• Support and help co-workers.
• Follow all hospital policies including safety, patient confidentiality, compliance, dress code, etc.
• Answer laboratory telephones using proper phone etiquette and customer service script.
• Answer questions regarding laboratory test results, specimen requirements, reference tests and other miscellaneous questions.
• Handle customer service complaints and forward to appropriate parties for resolution.
• Investigate and follow up on problems.
• Dispatch phlebotomists and laboratory couriers.
• Maintain Courier Dispatch Log.
• Provide customer service for the outpatient area.
• Greet outpatients and process paperwork.
• Register patients in the hospital information system by attaining patients' demographic and insurance information for billing purposes.
• Enter patient test orders including clarification with patient's physician of all unclear patient test orders into the hospital/laboratory information system.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Laboratory Administration or Supervisors.

Required Experience And Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Current Phlebotomy certification or Medical Assistant or Patient Care Technician certification required upon hire.
• Completion of phlebotomy courses and or previous phlebotomy experience.
• Ability to travel offsite if required.
• Basic office skills and computer keyboarding skills.
• Organizational skills, medical terminology and ICD-10 coding knowledge.
• Excellent Customer Service, Communication and Interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of Phlebotomy experience preferred.