Phlebotomy Specialist

The Phlebotomist plays a vital role in promoting good public relations for the department and Jennie Stuart Health while maintaining patient/customer confidentiality. As a key member of the laboratory team, the Phlebotomist is responsible for phlebotomy procedures, including the collection of blood samples, blood cultures, and clerical duties. This role also involves performing drug screens, sample processing, and recognizing problems that require referral to Section Supervisors or Medical Technologists/Technicians.

• Maintains a positive morale and working relationship with coworkers.
• Maintains a professional manner at all times, accepting and profiting from constructive criticism.
• Utilizes effective interpersonal skills to interact with patients, families, fellow workers, medical staff, and visitors.
• Demonstrated behavior standards established by Jennie Stuart Health and Studer Group.
• Promotes good public relations for the department and Jennie Stuart Health while maintaining patient/customer confidentiality.
• Recognizes how the phlebotomist's position and duties relate to the overall function of the laboratory and the hospital in view of patient care.
• Abides by hospital and departmental dress code.
• Promptly arrives for designated shift.
• Maintains a clean and safe working environment.
• Demonstrates an ability to assess the situation, consider alternatives, and choose the appropriate action.
• Demonstrates confidence in learning new routines and methods.
• Assumes responsibility for continuing education requirements as required by certifying agency.
• Demonstrates the ability to set priorities.
• Obeys Jennie Stuart Health policies and procedures regarding patient care, with special attention to biohazard procedures.
• Performs duties in an independent manner with little or no direct supervision.
• Always practices and supports safety in the workplace by using PPE (lab jackets, gloves, etc.).
• Demonstrates competence in all procedures required in accordance with policy.
• Ensures supplies are available and notifies appropriate personnel when low.
• Maintains phlebotomy tray/cart in a sanitary and properly supplied condition at all times.
• Greets patients in a courteous manner by utilizing AIDET.
• Requires two patient identifiers when collecting specimens and asks patient to give their name and date of birth.
• Verifies correct patient using two identifiers.
• Must check the name/dob on request with the name/dob on the patient's armband prior to specimen collection.
• Washes hands (or foams) before and after each patient contact.
• Uses proper technique in obtaining blood samples.
• Labels samples immediately after specimen is collected while still in the presence of the patient.
• Does not recap needles and uses all safety devices.
• Tests in HIS correctly, following up with supervisor of physician office on ambiguous orders.
• Receives drop offs, checks all paperwork, and signs samples into the system.
• Completes routine blood sample collection within 5 minutes and difficult cases within 15 minutes.
• Completes procedures scheduled during shift without interfering with the quality of work.
• Follows through on tests or procedures left from a previous shift, and reports any incomplete assignments to assure continuity of care.
• Responds to changes in work schedule as necessary; continually uses time to departmental advantage; performs well in emergency situations; can adjust schedule in view of STAT orders, admissions, etc. and can obtain timed specimens according to procedure.
• Knows various needles, anticoagulants, special handling, and preparation of tests that are to be performed.
• Assists in orientation of new staff members as necessary.
• Assists in training of students as necessary.
• Reports any change in the patient's condition to appropriate personnel.
• Recognizes and performs duties which need to be performed although not directly assigned.
• Completes all mandatory in-service requirements before deadlines.
• Attends staff meetings, providing input and evaluation into unit strategic plans, operations, and performance improvement.
• Limits personal telephone calls.
• Other duties, as assigned.
• When assigned as charge phlebotomist:
  • To be the first point of contact for phlebotomy department when supervisor is not present.
  • To oversee the work in phlebotomy and to ensure that samples are being collected in a timely and efficient manner.
  • To ensure the workflow within phlebotomy is not hindered, attempting to solve any issues that are interrupting workflow.
  • To solve issues that arise during assigned shift and ensure occurrence management documentation and communication with section supervisors and laboratory management.
  • To report to the charge tech when issues arise that are beyond scope of care.
  • To ensure all uncollected reports are run and reviewed as scheduled.
  • To ensure temperatures/refrigerator checks are performed as scheduled.