Phlebotomist

POSITION SUMMARY

Phlebotomist serves patients by identifying the best method for retrieving specimens; preparing specimens for laboratory testing; performing screening procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Included but not limited to the following);

• Responsible for the collection, labeling and preparation of blood specimens for patient testing.
• Responsible for the maintenance of all applicable logs, the filing of reports and assembling of the appropriate chart with appropriate lab report.
• Assists lab or nursing staff in the care of patients within limits and under clinic nurse supervision.
• Verifies test requisitions by comparing information with nursing station log; bringing discrepancies to the attention of unit personnel.
• Verifies patient by reading patient identification.
• Obtains blood specimens by performing venipunctures and finger sticks.
• Maintains specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following department procedures; observing isolation procedures.
• Collects therapeutic drug-monitoring assays by collaborating with nursing personnel to ensure appropriate drug dose to collection time.
• Tracks collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection; maintaining daily tallies of collections performed. Monitors glucose levels by performing glucose tests; recording results; reporting results to provider.
• Performs bleeding-times tests by entering results to the computer; notifying pathologist of results falling outside normal ranges.
• Maintains quality results by following department procedures and testing schedule; recording results in the quality-control log; identifying and reporting needed changes.
• Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
• Resolves unusual test orders by contacting the physician, pathologist, nursing station, or reference laboratory; referring unresolved orders back to the originator for further clarification; notifying supervisor of unresolved orders.
• Attends and participates in department, site and agency-wide meetings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Must be computer literate and be able to operate Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Must possess good knowledge of office practices
• Customer service oriented, organized, and diligent
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Must have excellent grammar usage
• Demonstrates problem solving skills
• Ability to work effectively and consistently with limited direct supervision
• Ability to communicate well with staff, physicians and general public
• Exhibits commitment to effective problem solving techniques when issues arise.
• Good organizational and strong communication skills with the ability to interact with a variety of persons
• Understanding, courteous, and professional at all times in contacts with patients, visitors, employees, and medical staff.
• Dependable/ must have flexible work schedule
• Neat and friendly appearance

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma required.
• Successful completion of an accredited Phlebotomy or Certified Medical Assistant program required.
• At least one year experience working in a hospital or doctor office.
• Experience with Pediatrics patients and performing waived lab testing.
• National certification preferred. Bi-lingual candidates are desirable.