PHLEBOTOMY TECH I

Job Summary

The Phlebotomy Technician I plays a central role in the Laboratory's workflow. Responsibilities include performing phlebotomy, greeting patients and visitors, processing and clarifying orders, and answering calls. The role requires knowledge of phlebotomy procedures, basic computer skills, and adherence to safety protocols.

Department Scope of Service

The Laboratory operates 24/7, serving various healthcare providers and facilities. It processes approximately 100-125 patients daily.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrates proper response to Code Blue/Rapid Response.
• Participates in quality/performance improvement initiatives.
• Accurately documents patient care in the electronic medical record.
• Complies with safety goals.
• Identifies patients accurately before starting procedures.
• Gathers, documents, and transmits accurate identifying and essential information about patients.
• Collaborates with other members of the health care team to keep patients informed about and involved in their care.
• Investigates patient questions and concerns before proceeding with procedures and treatments.
• Reports incidents, as outlined per policy, including potential errors and near misses.
• Identifies victims of abuse and reports according to policy.
• Performs and documents patient assessment according to department policy.
• Abides by professional code of ethics.
• Demonstrates proper utilization of standard and transmission-based precautions.
• Adheres to hand hygiene policy and the use of appropriate PPE.
• Provides services as appropriate to the age of the population served or delegates appropriately.
• Facilitates the process of caregiver/patient interaction to ensure safe and efficient blood drawing.
• Identifies potential barriers to learning.
• Demonstrates knowledge and performance of appropriate role during a code blue and/or rapid response.
• Identifies QA/I process activities and utilizes data to measure performance and improve outcomes.
• Records applicable laboratory data per training in the patient record. Incorporates principles of pain management into the provision of patient care.
• Administers patient care in an efficient and timely manner.
• Performs phlebotomy for all sections of the lab using proper, appropriate technique.
• Performs venipunctures or capillary punctures (heelsticks, fingersticks, etc.) according to established guidelines.
• Knows specimen requirements, tube types, volumes required, and order of draw.
• Uses correct procedure for patient identification, verification, labeling of specimens.
• Performs LIS update, logging in of specimens to accurately reflect specimen collection times and receipt in the lab.
• Checks specimen collection lists and unavailable specimen lists and follows up on those specimens.
• Processes all outpatients requiring phlebotomies, attends to the patients, recognizes his/her role as the lab representative by being both professional and caring to the patient’s needs.
• Performs COVID-19 testing for patients with clinician orders via nasal swab. Also, escorts (via foot or wheelchair) and directs patients and visitors to various areas of the facility.
• Provides efficient, friendly service to the customers of the laboratory.
• Processes all outpatients. Requires skill in patient management, and public relations. They must receive, welcome, and attend to all outpatients coming in for laboratory work.
• Correctly enters the patient’s orders into the LIS and has labels ready for phlebotomist. Requires knowledge with the LIS program for ordering tests, making test notes, and requirements for performing the tests.
• Requires knowledge of laboratory tests to prevent inappropriate or duplicate orders, assess if orders are possibly wrong and need to be checked, etc.
• Provides information that the patient may need and answers any questions they may have.
• Investigates; when missing information, questions on tests ordered.
• Produces requested reports within established timeframes.
• Requires contact with office staff, nursing, and physicians in interpreting orders, and giving out results.
• Requires contact with reference laboratory client services on issues with lab tests, results, and requirements.
• Processes all drop-off specimens by assuring appropriate labeling and correctly entering orders into the LIS. Requires handling of “potentially infectious materials”.
• Answers the lab telephones, answers questions, gives out lab results per hospital protocol, and screens calls. Must be able to demonstrate awareness of situations requiring intervention by others (troubleshoots, screens problems, and refers if necessary).
• Investigates and resolves problems in multiple areas from patient issues, orders, and reports to inquiries from offices, physicians, nursing, and laboratory staff.
• Demonstrates ability to manage the complexities of multiple tasks in a fast-paced, stressful environment.
• Understands, and is familiar with all aspects of Laboratory Information System (LIS), HIS. Is capable of maintaining and troubleshooting all fax, printing, and LIS issues in Laboratory.
• Verifies correct patient identification.
• Orders lab tests and verifies correct orders, includes necessary comments for tech notification, or if problems with specimens, if call or faxing of report required, copies to other physicians with minimal errors.
• Test result lookup.
• Performs a variety of laboratory clerical functions.
• Basic Word processing skills for typing procedures, minutes to meetings (including taking the minutes during meetings) and notices.

Level I Duties

• Routine venipuncture, supervised blood collection, patient preparation, and safety protocol adherence.
• Outpatient duties not otherwise specified.