Lead Phlebotomist

MyMichigan Health•Saginaw, MI

About The Position

The Lead Phlebotomist coordinates the work of designated personnel while performing phlebotomy duties. The position serves as the technical expert and initial resource during a shift, supports staffing adjustments, and works with phlebotomy supervisors to develop and implement departmental workflows. The role performs invasive collection procedures and handles specimens for patients of all ages, following established protocols and maintaining specimen quality and integrity. It also provides patient and client support, interprets physician orders, and helps ensure specimens are distributed promptly. The Lead Phlebotomist must maintain competency across the Emergency Department, Processing, Inpatient, and Outpatient Phlebotomy areas and comply with laboratory, infection-control, confidentiality, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Complete a formal phlebotomy program that includes classroom and practical on-the-job experience, have equivalent education, or have at least 3–4 years of phlebotomy experience.
At least 6 months of experience in a hospital laboratory.
High school education is required.
Valid driver's license; eligibility under the medical center's insurance guidelines is required to drive a company vehicle.
Ability to accept and discharge responsibility and demonstrate leadership qualities, including dependability, aptitude, experience, and competence.
Communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
Complete mandatory OSHA training annually according to the Exposure Control Plan.
Ability to care for patients ranging from birth to over 100 years old.
Ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, get along with others, maintain regular and predictable attendance, and stay awake.
Ability to move about the facility with or without an assistive device and perform the job functions described.
Overall vision and hearing, with or without assistive devices; dexterity for handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including latex materials or an appropriate substitute.
Ability to occasionally lift or carry 11–20 pounds and frequently handle 10 pounds, and to walk, stand, or operate arm/leg controls as required.
Ability to work in conditions involving stressful public contact, trauma, grief, death, and some exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious material.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of specimen integrity guidelines, laboratory tests, medical terminology, and current laboratory policies, procedures, and protocols.
ASCP certification.
Active national Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) certification within 12 months of hire; the first attempt is preferred within 3 months of hire.

Responsibilities

Assist in coordinating shift staffing and adjust coverage as needed, including initiating staffing pulls and calling in additional coverage.
Serve as the technical expert and initial shift resource for questions or problems; identify and troubleshoot issues independently when needed.
Perform venipuncture, micro-capillary collections, central line draws where applicable, and other test procedures on patients of all ages, following protocols for patient preparation and glucose dosage administration.
Work with phlebotomy supervisors to develop and implement best-practice departmental workflows.
Provide professional customer service during invasive procedures; respond to patient and customer needs, help resolve exceptions, communicate with patients and clinical and outreach customers, and educate clients about proper test protocols.
Accurately interpret physician orders and collect high-quality specimens.
Select appropriate specimen types, maintain specimen integrity, distribute specimens promptly, and prepare esoteric specimens for shipment to reference laboratories.
Maintain competency in the Emergency Department, Processing, Inpatient, and Outpatient Phlebotomy areas.
Follow patient registration procedures where required and adhere to specimen identification policies.
Follow infection prevention and control practices, hand hygiene policies, personal protective equipment requirements, and applicable bloodborne-pathogen and TB testing requirements.
Use the Laboratory Information System, Hospital Information System, and reference-laboratory computers to schedule workloads and rounds, enter and interpret test orders, retrieve billing information, assist with registration, and communicate results confidentially.
Adhere to laboratory policies and procedures and maintain confidentiality of medical information; comply with CLIA, CAP, and OSHA regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned.