Phlebotomist

PhlebotomistPerforms daily activities of the Support Services Department. Functions as a Phlebotomist fulfilling assignments on a rotational basis within the institution and external off-site coverage. Performs tasks such as test order entry, inpatient venipuncture, outpatient venipuncture, stock rotation, and nursing home draws. Responds and interacts with patients and customers in a courteous and professional manner, embracing the concepts and ideals of service excellence. Performs phlebotomy and specimen collection procedures, complying with required patient identification procedures, on inpatients and outpatients. Includes venipuncture (venous and capillary), 24-hour urine collection, random urine collection, H.pylori breath test, and glucose tolerance testing. Understands the applicability of fasting and non-fasting patient status to test viability. Selects appropriate venipuncture equipment with respect to patient age. Assesses patient-specific requirements, including appropriate venipuncture site with respect to vein access. Performs data entry for test orders in the electronic health record. Ensures diagnosis codes meet medical necessity requirements. Acquires consent forms, prior authorization data, and/or ABNs when applicable. Demonstrates ability to organize and prioritize workload concerning STAT and routine patient testing. Collects timed draws within established guidelines. Rotates as outpatient department receptionist as applicable, tending to outpatients presenting for lab testing. Adheres to patient arrival order with priority given to fasting patients. Coordinates clerical and phlebotomy functions ensuring patients are serviced within designated turnaround time and wait time guidelines. Performs necessary clinical support duties, including answering phones, addressing specimen collection issues, and ensuring complete and accurate requisitions and test orders. Observes patients during the entire procedure to detect signs of reaction. Notifies the patient's physician and/or nurse if complications arise. Executes downtime procedures whenever either hospital information system or laboratory information system is out of service. Assists with system recovery for downtimes.