Phlebotomist

Phlebotomist

Harrisonville, MO 64701

Overview

Position Type: Full Time Job Shift: Day Education Level: High School

Description

Primary Purpose: Order, collect and process patient specimens. Assists in training new phlebotomists.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities: Provides input into policies associated with specimen collection and processing.

Routine Decision Making: Ensures appropriate tests are performed on the patients.

Formal Supervisory Responsibility: No formal supervisory responsibility.

Unusual Working Conditions: Risk of blood, body fluid contamination.

Age Specific Competencies: Provides care for birth to pediatric (birth-2 yrs.), pediatric/child patients between (2 yrs-12 yrs); adolescent patients between 12 to 18 years of age; adult patients between 18 to 64 years; and geriatric patients 65 years and older.

Work Schedule: The Phlebotomist will be expected to workday shifts, rotating holidays, and weekends and evening shifts as needed or determined by the Laboratory Director.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks

All essential responsibilities and tasks are performed while meeting or exceeding Cass Regional's Patient Satisfaction goals as measured by Press Ganey.

Order Entry and patient specimen preparation of lab tests. (40% of time)

• Reviews patient's insurance information for proper testing facility.
• Obtains required information for tests sent to outside testing labs and properly completes paper requisitions or places orders in computer.
• Collects and processes urine specimens for drug screen analysis according to policy and client.
• Accurately orders tests in the computer system for testing performed at Cass Regional: correct tests, ordering physician, and reporting location.
• Answers phone and pneumatic tube system promptly.
• Investigates specimen collection requirements of unknown tests and follows through with good communication and hand off to techs.
• Oversees appropriate receiving and handling of all patient specimens as they are received in the laboratory.
• Assures that Quest send-out specimens are appropriately ordered and processed.

Obtains laboratory specimens from inpatients, outpatients and emergency room patients. (40% of time)

• Properly identifies each patient using dual identifiers; matches labels to order and/or to patient; labels in the presence of the patient.
• Collects appropriate specimen types & quantity for tests ordered.
• Delivers each "morning run" specimen and computer-generated test requisition to the laboratory before 6:00 a.m. each day.
• Documents date, time and draw site of specimen collection in the computer, with appropriate collectors' initials prior to hand off to techs.
• Distribute each specimen to appropriate testing department upon receipt in the laboratory.
• Follows age specific guidelines in determining proper collection technique to use.
• Accurately and thoroughly labels each specimen in accordance with department policy.
• Utilizes Standard Precautions during entire specimen collection procedure.
• Follows good blood culture collection steps and has limited number of contaminated cultures.
• Consistently obtains quality specimens (i.e. non-hemolyzed, short samples, or clotted samples).

Miscellaneous lab functions (20% of time)

• Has good communication and follow through with clients on the phone, resending lab reports, finding orders, contacting physicians to clarify order.
• Keeps blood draw area clean, properly stocked, rotates supplies, and maintains a clean phlebotomy tray.
• Prepares supplies for delivery to outreach clinic locations via our courier.
• Completes assigned daily tasks without prompting, reviews requisitions for order entry errors, fax distribution, and file copies in correct designated areas.
• Takes initiative to participate in training opportunities (i.e. Safety, CAP Today quizzes, BLS, certification) and completes competencies without prompting from director.
• Monitors inventory and places supply orders for timely delivery.
• Assures supplies are unpacked, documented as received, and appropriately stored.
• Performs waived testing as directed by Lead Tech or Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Certification/ Registration required for the Position: Technical or vocational school education preferred. Minimum 2 years of experience preferred.

Required Knowledge: Knowledge of appropriate specimen collection procedures and medical terminology.

Required Skills and Ability: Data entry, communication skills, customer service skills, and phlebotomy skills.