MHT/Phlebotomist

Westborough Behavioral Healthcare Hospital•Westborough, MA

3d•$21 - $30

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) / Phlebotomist draws blood and other specimens, performs screening procedures, and supports patients who may feel anxious or distressed during blood collection. When not performing phlebotomy duties, the employee observes and assists assigned mental health or substance abuse patients and helps with admissions. The role helps maintain a safe environment in Adult or Adolescent Admissions and provides general nursing assistance for adolescent, adult, and older adult patients admitted to the hospital. The position is per diem as needed, with morning shifts listed as 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The posted salary range is $43,680 to $62,400. The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certificate issued by the state of Massachusetts. Prior phlebotomy technician experience is required; psychiatric healthcare experience is helpful. Westborough Behavioral Healthcare Hospital is a 117-bed psychiatric hospital providing acute inpatient stabilization and outpatient services for children, adolescents, and adults. The hospital describes its mission as delivering compassionate, evidence-based treatment and supporting patients and families throughout their healing journey.

Requirements

High school degree or equivalent.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certificate issued by the state of Massachusetts.
Prior experience as a phlebotomist technician.
Ability to obtain adequate blood samples from patients with difficult-to-locate veins or who may be hostile or unstable.
Ability to recognize when assistance is needed to draw blood.
Ability to concentrate amid noise, conversations, and foot traffic and consistently meet deadlines.
Flexibility in work hours to meet patient and organizational operating needs.
Ability to maintain self-control during volatile or hostile customer-service interactions.
High-school-level reading and writing skills; acceptable oral and written communication; and legible handwriting.
Customer-service skills for courteous face-to-face interactions with patients, the public, and staff.
Appropriate social skills, including respect for patients and staff and empathy toward patients.
Ability to work independently in a restricted physical environment for extended periods.
Ability to interpret reference materials independently and comply with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to prioritize, schedule, and complete work effectively in accordance with policies and deadlines.
Ability to work on multiple tasks or task components simultaneously.
Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, and grasp, and to perceive object attributes through touch.
Ability to communicate detailed or important spoken instructions accurately, sometimes quickly and loudly.
Hearing sufficient to perceive sound with no less than 40 dB loss at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz with or without correction, and to make fine sound discriminations.
Ability to perform repetitive wrist, hand, and finger motions.
Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
Visual acuity, with or without correction, sufficient to complete administrative and clerical tasks and inspect and analyze.
Ability to perform the listed physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Prior psychiatric healthcare experience.
Skills in teaching or assisting with activities of daily living.

Responsibilities

Identify appropriate methods for retrieving blood samples and other specimens, prepare specimens for laboratory testing, and perform screening procedures.
Provide diagnostic notes to physicians, healthcare professionals, and hospitals.
Verify patient identity and explain sampling procedures.
Obtain blood specimens through venipuncture and finger sticks.
Maintain specimen integrity using aseptic technique, department procedures, and isolation procedures.
Analyze blood specimens using appropriate testing equipment when necessary.
Clean, maintain, and calibrate laboratory equipment used to draw and test blood specimens.
Order laboratory supplies as needed.
Conduct Q15 observations and 1:1 monitoring according to hospital standards, ensure observation coverage, and request assistance when tasks compete for priority.
Follow direction from an RN or LVN and float to any unit as needed.
Maintain appropriate boundaries with patients and employees.
Observe patients for behavioral changes, attempt de-escalation, and notify an RN to evaluate and assess changes in patient behavior.
Respond to codes while ensuring required observations remain covered.
Assist patients with hygiene and help maintain unit cleanliness.
Know the daily schedule and help patients stay on track for activities and events.
Communicate respectfully with patients and use appropriate telephone etiquette to address customer questions and concerns.
Conduct soft safety searches, including wanding and checking shoes and pockets, and inform the RN if contraband is found.
Assist the RN with taking vital signs when staffing allows Q15 and 1:1 requirements to be met.
Inventory patient belongings and alert the RN if medications are found.
Escort patients when sent out on MOT and escort them to meals or other activities.
Treat patients with dignity and respect, understand patient rights, and remain responsible for patient safety and wellbeing.