Phlebotomist

Phlebotomist

The Phlebotomist is responsible for obtaining blood specimens required for the various laboratory tests.

Obtaining blood specimens involves the performance of an invasive procedure requiring extensive procedural knowledge and good judgment. It is important that he/she interacts with patients and nursing staff in a friendly, helpful, and courteous manner. Of utmost importance is the correct identification of the patient prior to drawing the blood specimen and the accurate labeling of the specimen before returning it to the laboratory. At times the phlebotomist is also responsible for the operation of the laboratory office, and therefore must be proficient in the clerical duties associated with the lab office.

Job Requirements

Minimum Education

• GED or High School Diploma required or current high school student in pursuit of GED to be obtained within one calendar year
• May have one or more years of college, vocational or technical school.
• May have completed a phlebotomy course and/or certification program.

Minimum Work Experience

• Experience in phlebotomy is highly desirable.
• ASCP, NCA or similar certification is desirable.
• On-the-job training is available under some circumstances.

Required Skills

• BLS required

FUNCTIONAL DEMANDS

Physical Requirements

Sitting - 16-31%

Walking - = or greater than 32%

Standing - = or greater than 32%

Bending/Squatting - 16-31%

Climbing/Kneeling - 1-15%

Twisting - 1-15%

OSHA Category

Exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Visual and Hearing Requirements

Must be able to see with corrective eye wear.

Must be able to hear clearly with assistance.

Color vision required.

Other Physical/Environmental Demands

Lifting - 0-50lbs, 50lbs or more with assistance

Carrying - 0-50lbs, 50lbs or more with assistance

Pulling - up to 100lbs

Pushing - up to 100lbs

Frequent talking and hearing is required for communication with physicians, nurses, other hospital employees, and physicians' office personnel.

At times of emergency occurrences and heavy workload, stressful and strenuous situations may arise.

Most tasks require manual dexterity and frequent use of the hands.

Frequent movement from sitting to standing and back (up and down) required for most tasks.

LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Mission, Service, and Values

Supports the hospital Mission, Service and Values.

Essential Functions

PHLEBOTOMY

• Always greets patient courteously by introducing self and briefly explaining the procedure about to be done.
• Always performs two checks for patient identification; compares armband to each label/request form and asks patient to state his/her name.
• Never draws blood from a patient without an ID band except in extreme emergencies, and then always follows established lab policy with physician or nurse identification.
• Consistently and skillfully draws blood properly; rarely misses a vein on any patient.
• Uses proper techniques and selects proper lancet size when performing capillary punctures on neonates, children and adults, and obtains adequate, acceptable capillary specimens.
• Always labels Blood Bank specimens by hand and adheres rigidly to Blood Bank policies regarding patient ID, specimen labeling and identification.
• Always accurately labels specimens by comparison to the wristband immediately after blood is drawn and before leaving the patient's bedside.
• Strictly adheres to antiseptic techniques and isolation procedures.
• Always wears gloves while drawing blood and changes gloves between each patient.
• Always washes his/her hands or uses waterless hand cleaner between patients.
• Never draws blood above or just proximal or distal to the IV.
• Uses extreme care to prevent hematomas by applying pressure for at least one minute and a pressure bandage.
• Always draws an appropriate specimen using the correct order of draw and obtaining the right amount of blood.
• Handles the Outpatient Room with competence and courtesy according to established policies.
• Competently obtains adequate sweat chloride specimens.
• Performs therapeutic phlebotomies according to defined policy.
• Performs chain-of-custody collections competently and accurately; avoids specimen rejection.
• Strictly follows all phlebotomy policy and procedures.
• Uses proper technique when using all safety needle devices and discarding sharps.
• Does not take "short cuts".
• Understands the importance of specimen integrity.
• Properly uses the Problem Logs.
• Consistently collects timed specimens within the time limits established by procedure.

CLERICAL

• Answers the laboratory phones and responds with a pleasant, courteous, and helpful manner.
• Notifies appropriate personnel of STAT's to be collected in a timely manner.
• Receives and updates floor collected specimens and specimens from the pneumatic tube and transports them to the appropriate lab department in a timely manner.
• Accurately places orders in the hospital information system on Outpatients, Home Health patients, and nursing home patients.
• Always checks with the physician or nursing personnel when an ambiguous or illegible test order or a questionable specimen is received in the laboratory before the test is ordered (for outpatients), performed, charged, or reported.
• Conscientiously credits lab tests that have been erroneously ordered or performed.
• Verifies that the proper lab reports are placed on the proper patient's chart when performing charting procedures.
• Demonstrates competence in filing, faxing, and charting laboratory reports in an accurate and timely manner.

Qualifications

Education

Required

High School or equivalent or better.

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