Phlebotomist

About the role

The Phlebotomist plays a key role in providing high-quality patient care by performing blood draws and other specimen collections, ensuring accurate labeling and processing, and supporting efficient laboratory workflow. This position combines hands-on phlebotomy with troubleshooting, training support, and workflow improvement recommendations in a fast-paced clinical or hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform venipuncture and other blood draws using straight needles and butterfly needles with a high degree of accuracy and patient care.
• Collect, handle, and store blood, urine, fecal, and other specimens according to established procedures and protocols.
• Clearly and courteously explain venipuncture, blood draw, and other specimen collection procedures to patients to ensure understanding and comfort.
• Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes, verifying that all information is complete and accurate.
• Label, centrifuge, split, and freeze specimens as required by test orders, following all laboratory protocols.
• Check all test requisitions or computer-generated labels against scripts or orders to ensure 100% accuracy before processing.
• Package specimens for transport, following specific protocols to maintain specimen integrity during transit.
• Store specimen samples at the required temperature and place them in appropriate collection containers or tubes, ensuring accurate labeling and handling.
• Update patient information accurately in the system and maintain complete and precise documentation of specimen collection and processing.
• Record maintenance data and assist with decontamination procedures to maintain a clean and safe work area.
• Understand and fully interpret physicians' orders related to laboratory tests and specimen requirements.
• Assist in troubleshooting issues related to specimen collection, labeling, processing, and workflow.
• Make recommendations to improve workflow efficiency and support best practices within the department.
• Attend and actively participate in annual department trainings and other required educational sessions.
• Understand and comply with OSHA and DEP regulations and all relevant safety and compliance standards.
• Answer telephone calls professionally and read laboratory results as needed to satisfy appropriate inquiries.
• Support training of team members by demonstrating proper specimen collection techniques and adherence to protocols, as required.