Phlebotomy Specialist

As a Phlebotomy Specialist with Kaiser Permanente, you will play a vital role in supporting the laboratory function by ensuring proper collection and processing of laboratory specimens. Your expertise will be essential in providing diagnostic information for patient care.

• Perform order entry, specimen collection, and processing according to Work Instructions (WI)
• Clarify clinician orders, obtain patient information, and accurately identify patients
• Determine specimen requirements and collect patient samples using appropriate venipuncture or capillary collection methods
• Assure completeness and accuracy of specimen labeling and enter patient or specimen information into the laboratory computer system
• Provide excellent customer service to members and respond effectively to member, clinician, and nursing staff needs
• Prioritize workload, coordinate activities with the Phlebotomy and Laboratory Service/Technical Assistant workgroups, and act as a resource for medical or laboratory staff
• Facilitate communication between Phlebotomists and Laboratory Service/Technical Assistants in problem-solving and member assistance
• Provide instructions to physicians, nursing staff, and patients on proper specimen collection and answer related questions accurately
• Evaluate, process, and coordinate specimens for testing and/or shipping by following applicable WI
• Centrifuge, aliquot, separate, refrigerate, freeze, or handle specimens as required to maintain specimen integrity
• Consult computer information for special handling instructions and refer questions to Client Services or technical specialists as needed
• Complete appropriate forms and use the laboratory computer system to obtain patient demographics, perform order entry, enter pertinent clinical information, generate barcode labels, and track specimens
• Print reports and use the laboratory information computer system to track specimens
• Perform all duties required of a Laboratory Service/Technical Assistant and assist clinicians or pathologists with bone marrow collection and processing
• Perform isolation procedures, bacterial, acid-fast, and fungal blood cultures, blood smear preparation, microbiology setup, and Code 99 (Code Blue) response as required and ordered by clinicians
• Remain current in new and revised work instructions and lab and organizational policies
• Periodically review procedure manuals, Quality System documents, and organizational policies and assist supervisors, coordinators, or specialists in identifying and reporting procedural discrepancies
• Complete annual requirements (PPD, safety, etc.) and provide input into the development or revision of procedures to meet operational needs
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and support department workflow and records maintenance through accurate workload recording, quality assurance monitors, supply inventory, quality control checks, and records

• Experience: Completion of an Accredited Phlebotomy Program with a successful experience practicum or minimum 18 months of phlebotomy experience within the previous 5 years in a multi-patient clinical laboratory
• Education: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required
• License, Certification, Registration: N/A

• Demonstrated customer-focused service skills
• Demonstrated understanding of basic phlebotomy principles and techniques
• Detail-oriented, able to handle multiple tasks in a limited time frame
• Able to produce high quantity/quality of work, problem-solve, exercise good judgment
• Adaptable
• Able to bend, stoop, reach, and lift a minimum of 10 pounds
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills with command of the English language
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, teamwork
• Working knowledge of keyboard/data entry

• Minimum 4 years of phlebotomy experience in a multi-patient laboratory setting, including geriatric, pediatrics, inpatient, and/or difficult phlebotomy draws
• National Phlebotomy certification
• Thorough understanding of phlebotomy principles and techniques and phlebotomy equipment
• Thorough understanding of sample collection requirements
• Knowledge of Medical Terminology
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills, teamwork, independent worker
• Leadership skills