On Site Phlebotomist (Certified)

Job Description

Job Description

On Site Phlebotomist (Certified) 

Location: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) 

2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 USA

Certification: Must be willing to Certify or Certified to OSHA standards

Annual Pay Rate: $ 35,360.00 to $42,150.00 (based upon experience and certifications)

Employment Type: Full Time

General Requirements - Certified Phlebotomist:

• Shift: Monday-Friday from 6:00 am – 5:30 pm. including weekends and all Federal Holidays.
• Must have active Cell phone.
• Must be willing to undergo national background check.
• Must be willing to undergo pre-employment drug screening and random drug tests during employment.
• High school diploma or equivalent, as well as Phlebotomy certification (recognized in state of TX) from an accredited agency.
• Must be registered / licensed in state of TX.
• Completion of an approved phlebotomy training course (or equivalent).
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in clinic or hospital environment phlebotomy and perform within the last 3 years.
• The Phlebotomist shall be responsible for routine and more complex blood drawing from patients with difficult to access veins, such as geriatric patients, spinal cord patients and cancer patients.  
• Must be willing to provide previous work history.
• Must be willing to provide three Professional references preferably Supervisor/Work Leader with current phone numbers.

Qualifications: 

• Certificate or formal training course in Phlebotomy. 

Preference will be given to candidates who have the following qualifications: 

• United States military veterans.
• Strong knowledge, training, and experience in health management. 
• Experience with tracking and compiling medical records. 

Other Requirements: 

• Remains in full compliance with HIPAA laws/ Privacy and accreditation requirements.
• Respects and acknowledges the organizations commitment to cultural diversity.
• Must be willing to received VAMC mandatory orientation, and required Specimen Acquisitioning Unit both in-patient and outpatient orientation of practices, procedures, and protocols.
• Consistently interacts with clients and staff in a professional manner.

Phlebotomist Duties:

• Performs Phlebotomy duties on inpatients and outpatients. Phlebotomists must be competent to perform tasks and assignments independently, which may include drawing blood from 40 to 80 patients per day and handling at least 20% of hard sticks.
• Assembles equipment such as tourniquet, needles, blood collection devices, gauze, vacuum tubes, alcohol, chloral prep and etc. on work tray, blood collection cart or work area.  
• Verifies and correctly identities patients utilizing two approved patient identifiers prior to drawing blood, per Medical Center Policy, Specimen Collection Policy and The Joint Commission guidelines, and converses with the patient to allay fear of the procedure.
• Draws blood and blood cultures from patients using proper venipuncture techniques and methods. Uses plastic vacuum tubes, blood collection needle or blood collection set (butterfly) to obtain samples.
• Labels in presence of patient, initials and transports blood collected to processing area; Uses Trans Logic system to tube specimens to third floor laboratory from outpatient’s Blood Lab. 
• Ensures that the sufficient amount of blood is drawn for each requested test or procedure. 
• Outpatient specimen collections are not only limited to blood collection, but it does include different kinds of urine collections and performing glucose tolerance testing.
• May perform various other technical laboratory procedures such as computer test accessioning, specimen centrifugation, serum separation, etc.
• Interprets and clarifies physician’s orders from written requests and hard copies of orders and may input test orders into the computer; Uses Multipurpose Accessioning option, Pre-Accessioning options,  Activate Pre-Accession Numbers option or etc.
• Rotates to answer telephone requests for verbal test requests, test add on(s), test results; utilizes computer to access the necessary data and communicates this data (results) to physicians, nurses and other authorized medical personnel as necessary.  
• Records rejected specimens according to rejection protocols such as misidentified, unidentified specimens or specimens with insufficient volume drawn, wrong tube etc. 
• Must provide superb customer service and great communication skills. 
• Staff will adhere to the VAMC Customer Service Standards of Behavior Policy. 
• Patient Safety Recognizes emergent situations such as patient need for CPR/choking procedure and initiates immediate action based upon the medical center policy. 
• Take appropriate action during fire or disaster drills/situations. 

Workplace Safety: 

Observe and practice all established safety practices, regulations of Regulatory Agencies, OSHA and comply with the Medical Center policies on Safety, Occupational Health Services, Workers’ Compensation related to on-the-job injuries, and personal protective clothing/equipment. Demonstrates personal involvement and compliance: 

• Observing all safety signs, directions and instructions.
• Attending scheduled safety training and reporting unsafe work situations to the manager and onsite VA supervisor. 
• When suffering an on-the-job injury/illness, phlebotomists will promptly notify the onsite manager/onsite VA supervisor within 15 minutes. 
• Phlebotomists shall use proper body mechanics, lifting and transfer devices for optimum efficiency and prevention of injury to self and patient which include but not limited to: - - - Moving & lifting Patient transfers (wheelchair, chair) Assisting patients with ambulation.

Physical Standards and Environmental Factors Compliant with the following physical standards and environmental factors:

• Heavy lifting, 25 pounds & over.
• Heavy carrying, 25 pounds & over. 
• Pushing (2-4 hours) 
• Walking (4-6 hours) 
• Prolong Standing (4-6 hours)
• Both hands are required.
• Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously 
• Near Vision correctable. 
• Far Vision correctable. 
• Depth perception. 
• Hearing (aide permitted) .
• Work closely with others, as well as protracted or irregular hours of work Maintains equipment in safe working status to prevent injury to self or others and reports any need for equipment repair to the onsite manager/supervisor.  
• Phlebotomists will follow the MEDVAMC dress code policy. 
• The Phlebotomists will perform according to MEDVAMC policies on Interpersonal Behavior, Communication, and Customer Service. 

Documentation, Reporting, and Confidentiality Documentation, reporting and communication standards are met and are not limited to: 

• Maintains complete and accurate records on the computer on the particular specimen collection for all assigned patients. 
• Demonstrates ability to obtain cooperation of patient/family by inspiring trust. 
• Is aware of body language and uses appropriate tone of voice in all communication. 
• Gives verbal input at team conferences/meetings.
• Demonstrates patient privacy and confidentiality procedures as it relates to HIPAA 4.6 Personal Management and Growth. 
• Demonstrates dependability/ adheres to leave policies and completion of assignments. 
• Makes appropriate decision making without difficulty or overreacting.
• Maintains a cooperative attitude with all patients and disciplines.
• Comply with mandatory training and educational requirements of position.
• Demonstrates awareness of unique diverse cultures.
• Completes with all rules and regulations governing patient care, safety and privacy.