Outpatient Phlebotomy Technician

Accurately registers patients with appropriate demographic information, determines orders needed, collects all required specimens to include, blood, urine, or swabs, prioritizes workflow with appropriate sense of urgency, performs EKGs, processes specimens for courier transport to the laboratory, communicates effectively with referring physicians, collaborates with team members and leadership, assists in training new team members, performs clerical and miscellaneous duties as needed.

Responsibilities

Registers patients for correct testing:

• Utilizes EMS to register patients 
• Obtains demographic information, insurance card, driver license, etc. 
• Collaborates with patient to determine which orders they need fulfilled during the visit 
• Links orders to patient appointment 
• Manually enters paper scripts for non-network providers

Obtains blood and urine specimens: 

• Follows proper patient identification protocols 
• Follows established blood collection protocols  
• Utilizes straight needle during most venipunctures performed
• Performs required hand sanitizing protocol and use appropriate PPE 
• Fully competent in order of draw and tube additives
• Ensures supplies are not expired at time of draw
• 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 instruction to patient prior to collection
• Labels all samples in front of patient

Communication and clerical duties:

• Answers phone(s) promptly, in a courteous manner, identifying self to caller
• Checks and respond to all email and team communication boards daily 
• Remains current in EPIC secure chat and responds to inquiries daily
• Ensures all forms are filled out completely and accurately including but not limited to requisitions and kits
• Completes all required trainings by assigned due date
• Audits manual scripts and records audit results as appropriate

Preanalytical processing duties:

• Collects samples in the correct container type
• Utilizes online resources to look up processing requirements as needed
• Involves laboratory customer service as needed for assistance 
• Allows samples to sit the required amount of time and centrifuge as appropriate
• Aliquots or utilizes proper protocol to share specimens when needed
• Leaves at room temperature, refrigerates, or freezes samples as directed
• Processes samples dropped off by patients as directed
• Works with home health partners to ensure drop off samples are processed 
• Prepares transit lists if needed when packing samples for transport to main lab
• Utilizes stat couriers as appropriate

Housekeeping:

• Keeps draw areas clean and free of food and beverages
• Keeps phlebotomy stock room area clean and organized
• Ensures expired items are removed from inventory
• Properly disposes of all trash, PHI, and sharps in the appropriate containers according to hospital protocol

Other duties and expectations:

• Ability to be present in work area ready to draw patients at shift start time
• Effectively prioritizes workload and executes patient care with a sense of urgency
• Ability to perform basic EKGs after employer provided training
• Collaborates with team members to assist in obtaining unsuccessful collections
• Ensures adequate coverage for breaks
• Performs training and provides feedback for new hires and students
• Assists co-workers in problem resolution
• Uses name and title to introduce self to all patients 
• Communicates the services being perform and what is needed from the patient
• Demonstrates empathy and de-escalation skills as needed when interacting with patients and navigating stressful situations
• Assists in calling patients back for return visits as needed
• Acts in accordance with TCHHN’s mission, vision, and values 
• Responds appropriately to fainting patients or other medical emergencies, providing basic first aid or CPR as appropriate 
• Serves patients until posted closing time with minimal need to turn patients away
• Performs all other duties or responsibilities 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; data entry skills preferred. 

Ability to work while standing or bending for the duration of the assigned 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 required.

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

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

Phlebotomy certification preferred.