Inpatient Phlebotomist

Accurately collects specimens from patients with the appropriate sense of urgency, communicates effectively with nursing staff, collaborates with laboratory staff and leadership, assists in training new team members, performs clerical and miscellaneous duties as needed.

Responsibilities

Obtains blood specimens: 

• Follows proper patient identification protocols 
• Follows established blood collection protocols  
• Utilizes straight needle during most venipunctures performed
• Fully competent in order of draw
• Checks tubes at time of collection for expiration dates
• Demonstrates a high level of skill resulting in minimal unsuccessful draws or recollects
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of blood collection fundamentals including but not limited to anatomy, theory, and safety
• Understands special collection techniques including but not limited to  ice, foil wrap, special tubes, and trace metals
• Follows proper collection protocol for blood cultures with minimal contamination
• Provides support for all departments in obtaining prior unsuccessful collections 
• Performs daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance or safety checks as assigned 
• May perform basic pre-analytic processing functions such as centrifuging or aliquoting samples as needed 

Patient care:

• Uses name and title to introduce self to all patients
• Communicates the services being performed and what is needed from the patient
• Utilizes professional, medical terminology
• Uses empathy and de-escalation skills as needed when interacting with patients and navigating stressful situations
• Acts in accordance with The Christ Hospital Health Network mission, vision and values

Housekeeping:

• Keeps phlebotomy cart clean and free of food and beverages
• Keeps phlebotomy stock room area clean and organized
• Ensures cart is free from expired items
• Properly disposes of all trash and sharps in the appropriate containers
• Properly disposes of PHI 

Productivity expectations:

• Prioritizes workload between routine, stat, and timed draws
• Performs first blood collection within 15 minutes of scheduled shift start time
• Ensures transit of samples to laboratory within 30 minutes of collection
• Ability to consistently perform five patient draws per hour when required by volume

Communication and clerical duties:

• Answers department phone(s) promptly and courteously, identifying self to caller
• Handles phone requests with minimal call transfers
• Checks and responds to all email and team communication boards regularly 
• Ensures all required forms are filled out completely and accurately
• Completes all required training by assigned due date
• Effectively utilizes computer systems to look up patients and check order and draw status

Other duties and expectations:

• Collaborates with team members to assist in obtaining prior unsuccessful collections
• Ensures adequate coverage for lunch breaks via established department systems and procedures
• Performs training and provides feedback for new hires
• Assists co-workers in problem resolution
• Assists others after assigned duties are complete
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE: Ability to read and comprehend written information required; ability to effectively perform a variety of job duties in a stressful, fast paced environment required; Phlebotomy skills required; keyboarding skills preferred. 

Ability to work while standing, bending or walking while pushing a cart for entire shift.

Superior time management, planning, and organization skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Critical thinking skills to support quality decision-making.

Working knowledge of basic computer applications.

EDUCATION: 

High school diploma or GED required; completion of formal phlebotomy training program or equivalent is required

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:   At least one year of phlebotomy experience in a fast paced environment preferred.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

Phlebotomy certification preferred.