PHLEBOTOMIST

Job Summary

Incumbent collects human clinical specimens using established, approved laboratory methods, in a safe and efficient manner. Methods employed may include venipuncture, capillary puncture, and collection of swabs for detection of microorganisms.

• Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry.
• Established patient identification protocols are followed consistently. Inpatients are identified by their wristbands, with no errors. Outpatients, including residents of assisted living facilities, are identified by having patient verbally spell complete name, confirm state and date of birth.
• Interprets laboratory orders from clinical provider staff and enters orders into hospital computer systems.
• Clinical Collect device is used appropriately in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Outpatient specimens are collected based on the requisition (not label). Compare requisition to Clinical Collect to verify all information. Correctly selects existing patient file from a search list 100% of time.
• Quality Assurance review of all orders for accuracy is done before drawing the patient’s blood to ensure tests are crossing the interface and not missed.
• Duties may include registering patients in the hospital admission and billing systems, verifying insurance coverage, placing physician orders into the order entry system, verifying information for medical coding and billing, and resolving client concerns and inquiries.
• May register patients for non-lab departments, such as Diagnostic Imaging (to include X-ray, Ultrasound, Bone Density and Mammogram) and Milford Urgent Care.
• Performs minor specimen processing tasks which may include centrifugation of specimens, separation of serum/plasma and specimen preservation.
• Interacts with patients, physicians, and hospital staff members in a professional manner.
• Periodically, phlebotomists will be required to collect and process blood samples for legal blood alcohol testing when requested by law enforcement.
• Performs clerical duties as needed to create, maintain, and communicate patient data to health care providers.
• All specimens are labeled and initialed according to established policies. Ask patients to verify labeled specimens.
• Specimens accepted from patients or healthcare providers are verified for proper labeling and specimen integrity prior to allowing the individual to leave.
• Understands specimen requirements and venipuncture techniques applicable to all age groups. Familiar with and competent in using all types of specimen collection equipment.
• Organizes / prioritizes test requisitions to ensure timely collection of specimens. Obtains STAT specimens within 15 minutes of request.
• Collects appropriate specimen type and amount, according to established policy, to ensure specimens are suitable for accurate testing. Research specimen requirements when needed.
• Performs capillary puncture according to established procedures.
• Understands and follows special collection protocols, such as collecting blood cultures, timed specimens, tolerance tests, throat cultures, nasal swabs and breath tests.
• Productivity standards are consistently met:
  An average of 6 to 8 minutes for one inpatient; 5-7 minutes for each outpatient.
• Handles collected specimens to ensure they are delivered for optimum laboratory processing. Uses pneumatic tube appropriately. STAT specimens sent to lab immediately.
• Repeat venipuncture attempts are minimized and conducted according to policy.
• Checks the collection lists and computer to consolidate requests and verify patient has/has not been recently drawn. Monitors wait list regularly to achieve low patient wait times and help meet patient satisfaction goals. Uses routine scheduled collection times to optimize patient flow.
• Recognizes, reports, and seeks appropriate intervention for signs and symptoms of complication or significant change in patient status (e.g., fainting, nausea, etc.).
• Provides patient education as needed including instructions for pre-collection preparation, specimen collection, and specimen labeling.
• Performs administrative and clerical tasks such as registering patients, ordering tests, maintaining patient records in a filing system, filing important records, retrieving data, and sending reports to physicians via phone, mail, fax, or computer.
• Operates hospital and laboratory information systems effectively to enter and retrieve patient data.
• Performs basic patient reception and specimen processing duties to include registration, ordering of tests, test add-ons, centrifuging, poring off specimens (aliquoting), and preserving specimen appropriately.
• Registers patients accurately in the hospital information system by obtaining and verifying all required demographic and insurance information.
• Orders laboratory tests in HIS and LIS with utmost accuracy. Able to make corrections when errors occur.
• Identifies and effectively resolves specimen collection problems. Rejects improperly collected samples when…