Phlebotomist

Job Summary

Performs daily activities of the Support Services Department. Functions as a phlebotomist fulfilling assignments on a rotational basis within the institution and external off-site coverage, such as skilled nursing facilities and pre-admission testing. Tasks include test order entry, inpatient and outpatient venipuncture, stock rotation, and nursing home draws. If covering pre-admission testing, the ability to perform EKGs is required. Responds and interacts with patients and customers in a courteous and professional manner, embracing the concepts of service excellence.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform phlebotomy and specimen collection procedures, complying with required patient identification procedures, on both inpatients and outpatients. This includes venipuncture (venous and capillary), 24-hour urine collection, random urine collection, H. pylori breath test, and glucose tolerance testing. Understand the applicability of fasting and non-fasting patient status to test viability. Select appropriate venipuncture equipment with respect to patient age and assess patient-specific requirements, including appropriate venipuncture site with respect to vein access.
• Perform data entry for test orders in the electronic health record (EHR); ensure diagnosis codes meet medical necessity requirements. Acquire consent forms, prior authorization data, and/or advance beneficiary notices (ABNs) when applicable.
• Demonstrate the ability to organize and prioritize workload with respect to STAT and routine patient testing, as well as the collection of timed draws within established guidelines.
• Rotate as outpatient department receptionist, tending to outpatients presenting for lab testing. Adhere to patient arrival order with priority given to fasting patients. Coordinate clerical and phlebotomy functions ensuring patients are serviced within designated turnaround-time and wait time guidelines. Perform necessary clinical support duties, answer phones, address specimen collection issues, and ensure complete and accurate requisitions and test orders.
• Observe patients during procedures to detect signs of reaction and notify the patient's physician and/or nurse if complications arise.
• Execute downtime procedures when either the hospital information system (HIS) or laboratory information system (LIS) is out of service, and assist with system recovery during downtimes.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Three months of phlebotomy experience in an acute care setting.
• Knowledge of patient registration and lab test order entry.
• Knowledge of laboratory specimen processing procedures.

Schedule Notes

13 weeks, evening rotational; 40 hours per week; 1:30 PM - 10:00 PM or 1:00 PM - 9:30 PM (orientation shifts may be on day shift). Friday to Tuesday.