The Phlebotomist obtains specimens and performs venipunctures for specialized and routine testing; maintains specimen integrity and quality control; and communicates patient and family health care needs to the appropriate health care provider.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for obtaining, delivering, and accepting specimens for laboratory testing
- Uses various venipuncture methods to collect blood samples/specimens from patients as needed or ordered
- Performs difficult and hard to obtain venipunctures on a routine basis including complex blood samples such as legal draws for blood alcohol, blood cultures, or foot/leg collections when ordered
- Transports samples from various locations, including long-term care facilities and diagnostic centers, to appropriate laboratories
- Processes samples for further examination and analysis by medical professionals
- Maintains specimen integrity and quality control
- Verifies order request and patient identity information prior to drawing blood or collecting specimen
- Ensures that specimen requirements are met at time of collection to maintains specimen integrity
- Disposes of all biohazards in accordance with applicable laws, standards, policies
- Responds to and resolves discrepancies or inquiries with orders for testing
- Maintains quality control through guidance and instruction of appropriate phlebotomy techniques and labeling processes to team members and other clinical support staff after completion of probation and competency requirements
- Communicates patient and family health care needs to the appropriate health care provider
- Explains all phlebotomy procedures to patients and explains any complications as it pertains to the venipuncture of the patient
- Completes and verifies all lab registration process on patients
- Enters provider orders into the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system accurately and timely
- Fills supply orders for laboratory clients
- Performs EKGs on outpatients as needed
- Provides customer service and administrative support to the department as needed
- Creates and maintains test orders; files, sorts, and enters patient data
- Provides customer service, both in-person and by telephone; takes and relays messages to appropriate staff
- Reports significant events and information timely to appropriate team member
- Shares input from the patient with the appropriate health team members
Qualifications
Education:
Required- High School or GED
Preferred - Vocational/Technical Diploma -Postsecondary nondegree award from an accredited phlebotomy training program
License or Certification:
Preferred - Phlebotomy Technician certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent certifying organization
Experience:
Required - 1 year as a phlebotomist; Certification or successful completion of an accredited phlebotomy training program may be accepted in lieu of experience
Preferred - 2 years as a phlebotomist in a clinical laboratory setting; Long-term care phlebotomy experience beneficial
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a customer service approach
- Proficient with Microsoft software and Electronic Health Record (EHR) software
