Phlebotomist/Processing Assistant, Evenings, Laboratory Services

Phlebotomist/Processing Assistant

With over 150 years of caring for our community and each other in the Washington DC area, Howard University Hospital has a world-renowned reputation for high-quality, patient-centric care. Howard University Hospital is the nation's only teaching hospital located on the campus of a Historically Black University and has created a superior learning environment, with groundbreaking research and positive patient outcomes. Howard University Hospital seeks to hire a Phlebotomist/Processing Assistant who will embrace our reach and historic tradition of excellence. If you want to make a difference in someone's life every day, consider a position with a team of professionals who are doing just that, making a difference. Full-time Evenings: Monday- Friday 1:30pm -10pm, Every other weekend Required

Pay: $17.40-27.84 (actual offers are based upon the applicants relevant experience pertaining to the position)

The Phlebotomist/Processing Assistant:

Provides phlebotomy services to inpatients and outpatients, samples accessioning and supports services to clinical areas of the department and other areas of the Hospital as directed. Interacts with a variety of Pathologists, other healthcare providers, Medical Technologists, staff, patients and their families, faculty, Hospital and University officials and the general public.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Collects adequate and correct blood specimens by venipuncture or microtechnique on adults, children and infants.
• Thoroughly washes hands before and after each patient contact.
• Follows departmental policies to correctly identify the patient before any blood specimen is drawn and correctly labels all specimens drawn.
• Displays concern for patients and promotes their comfort and wellbeing as much as possible while collecting specimens. Displays patience and persistence when blood specimens are difficult to obtain.
• Conducts glucose tolerance procedures and collects remaining specimens at required times.
• Draws other timed specimens as indicated.
• Maintains test tray and working area in a sanitary and orderly condition.
• Ensures that proper supply levels are maintained and requests additional supplies as needed.
• Picks up and delivers a variety of clinical specimens other than blood to the laboratory.
• Maintains accurate and orderly log record worksheets where required according to established departmental and Hospital protocol.
• Projects an image of professionalism in appearance and conduct at all times.
• Receives, processes, and labels laboratory specimens for patient care and distributes specimens promptly to the appropriate laboratory section; properly stores specimens that are not analyzed immediately.
• Ascertains the appropriateness of barcode labeling on specimens received from the units; corrects problems with barcode labeling; logs in and places specimens in appropriate location for manual and automated processing by the laboratory sections.
• Performs test order entry, add on, specimen receipt, and other required functions in the laboratory computer system.
• Aliquots, centrifuges, pours off, and labels specimens for the purpose of separation.
• Logs, edits, processes, and labels all samples for reference lab requests; processes reference lab orders via the interface and/or the reference lab computer system and processes laboratory specimens for transport.
• Notifies authorized personnel of errors (labeling, incorrect samples, etc.), which prevent sample processing.
• Documents all quality occurrences and names of persons contacted according to the Quality Plan of the Department.
• Labels and distributes the appropriate specimens to the proper locations and prioritizes the processing of specimens according to laboratory policy i.e. all STAT ECA specimens receives highest priority.
• Handles telephone, fax and other inquiries concerning laboratory results, status of specimens, specimen requirements, and Phlebotomy/Central Processing operations.
• Assists the technical staff in the clarification and/or resolution of problems specimens or specimen processing concerns.
• Generates required copies of all clinical laboratory results on request including computer faxing and manual faxing of results.
• Ensures that all laboratory processing documents are properly filed and boxed with proper labeling.
• Maintains work area in a clean and organized condition.
• Participates in the department's in-service education program.
• Promotes adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, the Howard University Code of Ethics and the Health Sciences Standards of Conduct.
• Attends annual and periodic mandatory Compliance Program training including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy training.
• Participates in activities that promote adherence to federal healthcare program requirements.
• Actively participates in Health Sciences Compliance Program activities.
• Adheres to the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Policies and Procedures.
• Maintains confidentiality of patients, families, and staff.
• The employee is expected to achieve appropriate Hospital performance and productivity standards as established.
• The employee will perform other duties that further the customer service needs of the unit, such as answering phones, greeting and escorting patients, and administrative and clerical duties upon demand.
• The employee will respond to emergent and urgent patient and operational issues.
• The employee on occasion may be requested to cover part or all of other shifts, and/or be on call.
• The employee will obtain necessary certifications as required by regulatory agencies.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are related and appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all-inclusive.

Core Competencies:

• Basic understanding of universal phlebotomy precautions.
• Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the body system.
• Knowledge of pathology laboratory principles and practices in accordance with regulating agencies and Hospital standards.
• Knowledge of the types of Clinical Laboratory specimens.
• Knowledge of Laboratory Information System (LIS) processes and procedures and the ability to accurately prepare phlebotomy collection lists and other computer reports
• Ability to use phlebotomy equipment skillfully and efficiently and utilize judgement in the selection of an appropriate site for venipuncture on routine and difficult patients.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Competence in both oral and written English.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relationships with staff, physicians, Hospital and University officials, and the general public.

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.). Successful completion of a Phlebotomy training program or at least one (1) year's experience as a phlebotomist.
• Phlebotomist certification preferred.

At Howard University Hospital our job is to care for you. We do this by offering:

• Work life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans offered (including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403B retirement plan)

COVID-19 Vaccination:

Howard University Hospital requires all external applicants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before commencing employment. External Applicants may be required to furnish proof of vaccination and, if offered, may elect to be vaccinated at a designated Howard University Hospital location