Phlebotomist | Laboratory

Job Description

The Phlebotomist/Courier transports laboratory specimens to and from the clinic site and Singing River Health System in accordance with departmental and System procedures and guidelines. He/She verifies all orders, procedures, and specimens according to current procedures. The Phlebotomist/Courier practices safe driving habits and follows all safety guidelines. He/She contributes to the department’s standard of excellence in providing quality services to patients and clients.

• Performs venipunctures, heel and finger sticks, and other specimen collections for the clinical laboratory testing.
• Ensures that appropriate specimens are collected from the proper patients, as well as work and communicate effectively with a variety of patients, including but not limited to, critically ill, trauma, newborn, geriatric, and outpatients in numerous outpatient settings.
• Provides accurate patient identification, specimen labeling, preservation, transportation and pre-test processing.
• Performs clerical duties; processes orders; performs computer functions; files reports; records/sends messages; gives reports to the nurse/doctor; and, transcribes doctors’ orders on outpatients.

Qualifications

• High School graduate or equivalent required; some college with courses in a health or science-related field preferred.
• Training in computer, basic office equipment and medical terminology preferred.
• License: Must have a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record; must maintain a satisfactory driving record.
• Certifications: If certified, a current Phlebotomy certification from an approved agency is preferred. Certification must be from one of the following: ASCP, APA, AMT, NHA, NCCT, NIHP, MedCA, AAH, NPC.
• De-escalation training: Must have de-escalation training completed by the end of position orientation (90 days); must have appropriate level of de-escalation training.
• Experience: One (1) year Phlebotomy experience preferred. Must have equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Physical Demands

• Work is moderately active: involves sitting with frequent requirements to move about the office, move about the facility, and to travel to another facility within the SRHS service area.
• Work involves exerting a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Work involves using repetitive motions: substantial movements of the wrists, hands and/or fingers while operating standard office equipment such as computer keyboard copier and 10-key.
• Work involves being able to perceive the nature of sound at normal speaking levels with or without correction; the ability to make fine discriminations in sound.
• Work requires close visual and acuity and the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus, i.e. shift gaze from viewing a computer monitor to forms/printed material that are closer to compare data at close vision.
• Must be able to be active for extended periods of time without experiencing undue fatigue.
• Must be able to work flexible hours.
• Work involves using many physical motions in performing daily work activities; subject to exposure of body fluids, sputum and tissues, which may carry the hazard of infectious disease.
• Work involves using repetitive motions: substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and or fingers while operating standard office equipment such as computer keyboard.

Mental Demands

• Keen mental faculties to perform data collection and specimen collection.
• Must demonstrate communications/speaking/enunciation skills to receive and provide information in person and by telephone.
• Must possess emotional stability conducive to dealing with high stress levels.
• Must demonstrate keen mental faculties/assessment and decision making abilities.
• Must demonstrate ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Special Demands

• Must possess proficient knowledge and ability to use a computer (must be keyboard proficient) and other office technology (i.e., telephone, fax, etc.).
• Must have intermediate knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Work requires the ability to function independently and as a team; must have the ability to adapt to workload demands.
• Work requires the realization that an error may have serious consequences for patients.
• Must have a valid driver license as job requires traveling throughout the SRHS service area.