Phlebotomist

Phlebotomist

The University of Kansas Health System Phlebotomist is a position within the clinical laboratory that is responsible for interpreting orders for lab work from providers within The University of Kansas Health System which are entered in the Hospital Information System and orders from outside providers that are presented as a manual order. The Phlebotomist must be able to interpret these orders and accurately identify the correct tube type for each test. The Phlebotomist follows regulatory, accreditation, safety and hospital standards, policies and procedures, and performs positive patient identification for each patient prior to blood draw and confirming patient identification after labeling the tubes. In the ambulatory setting, the Phlebotomist presents labeled tubes to the patient to confirm proper labeling. In the in-patient setting, the Phlebotomist matches the labeled tubes with the patient's wristband. The Phlebotomist understands the importance of all pre-analytical variables such as positive patient identification, correct tube types, specimen conditions and integrity and how they affect laboratory results, and participates in quality assurance and quality improvement activities. The Phlebotomist releases orders out of the Hospital Information System (HIS) and receives specimens in the Laboratory Information System (LIS); and processes specimens to include centrifugation, aliquoting urine and pouring off plasma or serum if necessary for testing. The Phlebotomist is considered the "face" of the clinical laboratory and is expected to represent the laboratory and themselves in a professional, respectful and courteous manner at all times. The Phlebotomist follows AIDET guidelines for customer service and patient satisfaction. Additionally, the Phlebotomist working in the ambulatory setting must prepare specimens for transport by scanning the bar-coded sample onto a LIS packing list. The Phlebotomist must be able to troubleshoot difficult orders and assist with troubleshooting missing specimens when indicated. This position performs some data entry functions, manages requisitions and answers telephones to assist Laboratory customers. The Phlebotomist must be patient focused and capable of multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Performs blood draws by venipuncture according to standard protocol, ensuring patient safety and quality specimen collection.
• Performs specimen collection using appropriate techniques and adhering to requirements. Provides patients and/or care providers with instructions and necessary materials for specimen collection
• Provides immediate patient care if patient exhibits sign of a post-venipuncture reaction, typically vaso-vagal.
• Pro-actively assesses patient presentation and escorts patient to draw room with recliner if patient is an adolescent or young adult or states that they typically have a reaction to having their blood drawn.
• Performs data entry in applicable information systems in compliance with departmental and organizational policies
• Demonstrates knowledge of specimen collection techniques and requirements.
• Ensures proper container type, centrifugation, and transport conditions for specimens. Able to determine appropriateness of specimens for add-on testing.
• Releases orders on ambulatory health system patients with orders in HIS
• Receives samples in LIS, prints bar code labels and affixes labels to specimens. Enters outside orders in LIS when copy of outside order is scanned into HIS.
• Consults Phlebotomy Coordinator, Supervisor or Lab Leadership when appropriate if situation requires assistance
• Provides assistance to nursing staff when requested.
• Performs specimen processing duties such as aliquoting urine and separating blood samples when required for testing.
• Understands pre-analytical variables that can impact test results: Container Type, Time, Temperature, Centrifugation, labeling. Able to determine appropriateness of specimens for addon testing
• Responds to telephone inquiries and provides customer service to the end caller by addressing their needs and troubleshooting.
• Instructs, orients and mentors students, employees, patients and other health care providers as applicable.
• Maintains an adequate inventory of supplies
• Other duties as assigned which may include NP, oral, or nasal swab collections with appropriate PPE.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• High School Graduate
• Less than 1 year 6 months experience in an internal phlebotomy training program OR
• 1 or more years experience in specimen collection and processing OR
• completion of an external phlebotomy program

Preferred Education and Experience

• Advanced level of skill in adult and pediatric phlebotomy

Preferred Licensure and Certification

• Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP)

Required Language Skills

• Fluent English - ability to understand, read, write, and speak English

Knowledge Requirements

• Valid driver's license and transportation in order to support multiple locations.

Important information for you to know as you apply:

• The health system is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally-protected status. See also Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
• The health system provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need to request reasonable accommodations for your disability as you navigate the recruitment process, please let our recruiters know by requesting an Accommodation Request form using this link.
• Employment with the health system is contingent upon, among other things, agreeing to the health-system-dispute-resolution-program.pdf and signing the agreement to the DRP.