Phlebotomist

Phlebotomist

Under general supervision of the Laboratory Operations Manager, Supervisor or Phlebotomy Coordinator and within established hospital and department policies and procedures, performs a variety of clerical/receptionist duties to receive, direct, and process patient specimens in the laboratory; performs age-appropriate phlebotomy procedures from patients in sub-acute, long term care health care facilities, & adult day care centers.

Education/Training: High school graduate Successful completion of approved phlebotomy program

Licenses/Certification: Must have phlebotomy certification or be certification eligible. Certification is required within one year of hire.

Required Qualifications and Skills: Minimum of 1-3 years of experience as a phlebotomist in a hospital laboratory setting. Excellent customer service and phlebotomy skills; ability to follow directions with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills: Excellent command of oral and written English; positive interpersonal communication skills and good organizational skills; demonstrates good judgment in handling situations not covered by written or verbal communication. Experienced in use of electronic positive patient identification system. Experienced with pre-analytical specimen collection requirements.

Essential Job Functions: Collect blood specimens from patients of all ages using approved techniques for venipuncture and capillary puncture, following infection control and safety protocols. Verify patient identity using at least two patient identifiers before specimen collection. Ensure proper labeling of all specimens at the bedside or point of collection. Prepare, label, and deliver specimens to the appropriate laboratory departments within required time frames, maintaining sample integrity according to protocol (e.g., temperature control, anticoagulant usage). Access and review electronic lab orders; enter collection data and notes accurately into the hospital's electronic medical record (EMR). Provide compassionate, professional care while interacting with patients, including those who may be anxious, non-verbal, or cognitively impaired. Communicate procedures clearly and respectfully. Follow all hospital, departmental, and regulatory policies related to infection prevention, HIPAA, OSHA standards, and safety practices in handling biohazardous materials. Monitor and restock collection trays, carts, and storage areas with necessary supplies. Notify supervisors of equipment malfunctions or inventory needs. Work closely with nursing staff, laboratory personnel, and physicians to coordinate timely specimen collection. Participate in shift handoffs, team meetings, and performance improvement initiatives. Respond promptly to STAT, timed, and critical collection requests, including those from emergency, ICU, surgical, and inpatient units. Perform specialized collections (e.g., blood cultures, glucose tolerance tests) and adapt techniques for challenging venous access or special needs patients.

Other duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Age and Diversity Related Criteria: Consistently treats patients, colleagues and visitors with dignity and respect, while being sensitive to the differing needs of all age groups, backgrounds, characteristics and cultures.

Ability to Fulfill Job Expectations: Must have the ability to perform essential functions of the position, including required work hours, locations and physical demands, without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of themselves or other individuals in the work place, and with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands: Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift, often on hard surfaces, while moving between patient rooms, laboratories, and other hospital departments. Frequent bending and reaching are required to perform venipunctures, particularly for patients in beds or wheelchairs. Must be able to reach overhead and below waist level to access equipment and supplies. Requires fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination to perform blood collection procedures accurately and safely, including handling small needles, collection tubes, and labels. Must be able to push and maneuver phlebotomy carts (workstation on wheels) used for specimen collection, to various locations throughout the facility weighing up to 25 pounds. May occasionally assist with repositioning patients, although this is not a primary job function. Must have adequate visual acuity to identify veins, read test orders and labels, and complete documentation. Must be able to hear normal speech, alarms, and other auditory signals in a busy hospital environment. Must be physically and emotionally capable of managing interactions with a diverse patient population, including pediatric, geriatric, unconscious, or combative individuals. May require steadying or calming patients during procedures. Frequent exposure to blood and other bodily fluids, requiring strict adherence to universal precautions and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The work environment may be fast-paced and require rapid response to urgent blood draw requests (e.g., STAT orders).