PHLEBOTOMIST - CASUAL

Independence Health System•Greensburg, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for performing various laboratory functions, including accurate order entry, specimen tracking, and responding to system errors. The role involves adhering to standard precautions for phlebotomy, ensuring correct patient and specimen identification, and following specific department protocols for blood collection and post-venipuncture care. The phlebotomist will respond to pages promptly, minimize redraws, and maintain a low blood culture contamination rate. Responsibilities also include assisting with specimen procurement, urine drug screens, legal alcohol collections, and nasal/throat swabs. Processing laboratory orders, documenting specimen receipt, and assessing specimen appropriateness are key duties. The role requires effective interaction with healthcare providers, co-workers, and patients, professional telephone etiquette, and staying current with department protocols. Additional tasks include delivering specimens, filling supply orders, monitoring collection and unreceived lists, maintaining operational readiness, inventory management, scanning and indexing patient orders, preparing samples for transport, and operating hospital vehicles safely. The phlebotomist will also participate in training new employees and may be assigned other duties as needed.

Requirements

High School Diploma, GED or next level of higher education.
Completion of Phlebotomy or Medical Assistant Training Program or six (6) months experience performing phlebotomy.
Valid Driver’s License (if out of state hire, the record report from applicable state’s driver license department is required).
Act 33 with renewal.
Act 34 with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of coding, basic math, and payer/insurance benefits is preferred.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and general office related equipment, such as a fax or copier is preferred.
Medical terminology and specimen knowledge and laboratory information system experience preferred.
Experience in Healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Accurately place orders, monitor reports, respond to system errors, and look up test codes, collection info, and physician demographics in the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
Follow standard precautions when performing venous or capillary phlebotomy.
Ensure correct identification of patient and specimen using two identifiers.
Follow specific written department protocols for blood collection and post-venipuncture care.
Respond to pages within an acceptable time frame and based on appropriate prioritization.
Demonstrate minimal redraws and perform in compliance with redraw policy.
Maintain an acceptable blood culture contamination rate of <2%.
Assist or perform specimen procurement techniques as required.
Assist with urine drug screen collections and collections for legal alcohols, following established protocol.
Perform nasal and throat swab collections.
Receive and process laboratory orders, document receipt of specimens, and assess basic specimen appropriateness.
Process orders and patients appropriately during downtime to ensure progression to testing.
Interact effectively with healthcare providers, co-workers, and patients to represent the department and obtain/exchange information.
Answer telephones with professional etiquette and manage calls to keep hold time and transfers to a minimum.
Remain current with changes in department protocols to communicate accurate information.
Deliver specimens to the laboratory in a timely manner, packaging samples to ensure safe transport.
Fill supply orders and send supplies to floors as needed.
Monitor collection lists and unreceived lists.
Maintain operational readiness to provide prompt response to service requests.
Inventory and rotate stock to limit unnecessary waste, monitor phlebotomy basket for outdated inventory.
Perform scanning and indexing of patient orders at the time of registration.
Prepare samples for transport, including all computer work required (e.g., click and pack, tracking).
Operate hospital vehicles in compliance with all regulations, ensuring safe and efficient travel between collection sites.
Participate in the phlebotomy competency and validation of new employees, RN's and technical partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.