Inpatient Phlebotomist

The Christ Hospital Health Network•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Inpatient Phlebotomist collects patient specimens accurately and with appropriate urgency, communicates effectively with nursing staff, collaborates with laboratory staff and leadership, assists in training new team members, and performs clerical and other duties as needed. The role involves following patient identification and blood collection protocols; performing venipunctures and special collections; supporting other departments with previously unsuccessful collections; and completing assigned maintenance and safety checks. The position may also include basic pre-analytic processing such as centrifuging or aliquoting samples. The phlebotomist provides professional, empathetic patient care, explains services and patient needs, and acts in accordance with The Christ Hospital Health Network's mission, vision, and values. The role includes maintaining clean, organized phlebotomy carts and stock areas, disposing of trash, sharps, and protected health information appropriately, prioritizing collection workloads, meeting collection and sample-transit expectations, handling phone and electronic communications, completing forms and training, using computer systems to check patient and order status, and collaborating with and supporting coworkers.

Requirements

Ability to read and comprehend written information.
Ability to perform a variety of job duties effectively in a stressful, fast-paced environment.
Phlebotomy skills.
Ability to work while standing, bending, or walking while pushing a cart for the 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.
High school diploma or GED.
Completion of a formal phlebotomy training program or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Keyboarding skills.
At least one year of phlebotomy experience in a fast-paced environment.
Phlebotomy certification.

Responsibilities

Obtain blood specimens while following patient identification and established blood collection protocols.
Use a straight needle during most venipunctures and demonstrate competency in order of draw.
Check collection tubes for expiration dates and perform collections with minimal unsuccessful draws or recollections.
Apply blood collection fundamentals, including anatomy, theory, and safety, and use special collection techniques such as ice, foil wrap, special tubes, and trace metals.
Collect blood cultures according to protocol with minimal contamination.
Support all departments in obtaining collections after prior unsuccessful attempts.
Perform assigned daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance or safety checks.
Perform basic pre-analytic processing, such as centrifuging or aliquoting samples, as needed.
Introduce oneself to patients using name and title, explain services and what is needed from the patient, use professional medical terminology, and apply empathy and de-escalation skills as needed.
Act in accordance with The Christ Hospital Health Network mission, vision, and values.
Keep the phlebotomy cart clean and free of food and beverages, maintain an organized stock room, check for expired items, and properly dispose of trash, sharps, and protected health information.
Prioritize routine, stat, and timed collections; perform the first collection within 15 minutes of scheduled shift start; ensure samples reach the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection; and consistently perform five patient draws per hour when required by volume.
Answer department phones promptly and courteously, identify oneself to callers, and handle requests with minimal transfers.
Regularly check and respond to email and team communication boards.
Complete required forms accurately, complete assigned training by its due date, and use computer systems to look up patients and check order and draw status.
Collaborate with team members on previously unsuccessful collections and ensure lunch-break coverage through established department systems and procedures.
Train new hires and provide feedback, assist coworkers with problem resolution, help others after assigned duties are complete, and perform other duties as assigned.