Phlebotomist/Laboratory Tech I

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Phlebotomy Duties
   1. Identifies all patients according to laboratory policies.
   2. Documents appropriate information on specimen labels and lab collection sheets.
   3. Collects blood specimens from patients via venipuncture and skin puncture according to physician orders and applicable regulations, policies and procedures to ensure complete and accurate specimens for testing.
   4. Explains collection procedures and provides general testing information as needed to facilitate patient understanding and reduce patient anxiety.
   5. Responds to physician requests for specimen collection as needed.
   6. Enters physician test orders into computerized laboratory systems as needed.
   7. Prepares specimens for processing.
   8. Organizes and maintains general laboratory supplies.  Requests laboratory supplies as necessary to ensure uninterrupted specimen collection.
   9. Maintains clean work environment in the laboratory.
   10. Transports STAT laboratory specimens to other local laboratory facilities, as needed.

1. Laboratory Duties
   1. Performs assigned laboratory test analyses under direct supervision.
   2. Maintains copies of laboratory test results in laboratory files.
   3. Performs waived and moderate complexity testing under direct supervision.
   4. Performs daily checklists.
   5. Performs daily and periodic instrument maintenance and troubleshooting under direct supervision.
   6. Runs quality control under direct supervision.
   7. Organizes and maintains general laboratory supplies.  Requests laboratory supplies as necessary to ensure uninterrupted specimen collection.
   8. Maintains clean work environment in the laboratory.
2. Other
   1. Complies with all applicable safety and health regulations, policies and procedures.  Complies with established personal protective equipment requirements necessary for protection against exposure to blood and body fluids, other potentially infectious material, chemical disinfectants, and other hazardous substances.
   2. Performs all duties in a safe, responsible manner using required safety devices and personal protective equipment and following appropriate safety guidelines, including use of Universal Precautions, proper handwashing technique, and other work practice controls which minimize occupational exposure.
3. Professional Communication
   1. Maintains confidentiality in matters relating to all aspects of employment, including patient/family/significant other confidentiality.
   2. Interacts with patients/family/significant others with a variety of developmental and sociocultural backgrounds.
   3. Provides information to patients and family/significant others that reduces anxiety and conveys an attitude of acceptance, sensitivity and caring.
   4. Maintains professional relationships and conveys relevant information to other members of the health care team.
      1. Internal Contacts:  Physicians, nursing staff, office staff, other laboratory staff, billing representatives, etc., and staff at other CCSI facilities.
      2. External Contacts:  Other laboratories, distributors, manufacturers, vendors, contract maintenance personnel, couriers, hospitals, home health care, hospice, other physician offices, etc.
   5. Relays information appropriately over telephones, facsimiles, pagers, and other communication devices, and follows-through as needed.
   6. Communicates appropriate information to physicians and follows-through on physician orders and requests as needed.
4. Teamwork
   1. Works collaboratively as a health care team member.
   2. Reports on patient conditions as needed to those who require information, including physicians, nursing staff, radiation staff, and other laboratory staff.
   3. Assists with tasks necessary for the general operation and organization of the laboratory.
   4. Maintains positive attitude with patients, family/significant others and coworkers.
5. Professional Development
   1. Attends staff meetings and mandatory inservices.
   2. Participates in continuing education opportunities.
   3. Contributes to the quality of patient care and participates in quality improvement initiatives.

OTHER DUTIES:

Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS:  High school graduate or equivalent.  Successful completion of a phlebotomy training program.  Successful completion of departmental laboratory training.  Successful completion of high complexity testing training.  Current CPR certification or willingness to become certified.  Must take EPIC training and successfully pass required tests.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:  One to three years of phlebotomy experience in a healthcare setting.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:  Knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and equipment.  Knowledge and skills to perform phlebotomy services.  Knowledge of safety precautions and procedures related to exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.  Verbal and written English communication skills for safe and effective patient care and to meet documentation standards.  Eye, hand, and auditory coordination.   Ability to operate office equipment, including telephones, computer terminals, copiers, facsimiles, etc.  Ability to perform basic arithmetic functions.  Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work meeting time constraints and with little direct supervision.  Ability to function in a sometimes demanding and fast-paced work environment related to changing patient needs, including work with patients with acute, chronic, and complex disease processes and those who are dying.  Understands and practices patient confidentiality.  A positive attitude towards health care team members and diverse patient populations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB:  Standing, walking, sitting, carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, twisting, reaching, handling, kneeling, and wrist and digital dexterity.  Speaking, hearing, and visual acuity to receive and interpret instructions; communicate with patients and other health care professionals; use telephone system; and operate laboratory and general office equipment.  Phlebotomy services require manual dexterity to collect blood specimens, concentrated mental/visual acuity, and corrected vision to work with detail material and specimen collection, and color recognition to identify color coded specimen tubes.  Frequent bending and reaching for venipuncture and skin punctures.  Physical stamina required to endure long periods of walking/standing.  Exerting force (frequently up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 20 pounds or more) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including laboratory supplies, laboratory logs, etc.  Able to move quickly from place to place on occasion.  Possible driving.

MENTAL DEMANDS:  Must be able to work under stress and adapt to changing conditions.  Must be able to respond to emergency situations in a calm, professional manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  Laboratory environment.  Frequent work interruptions.  Job duties involve potential for exposure to blood and body fluids, laboratory chemicals and disinfectants.  Frequent exposure to blood and body fluids due to specimen collection.