Phlebotomist, Inpatient

UT Southwestern Medical Center•Dallas, TX

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for drawing blood samples from a patient safely and accurately for testing and research. Submits samples of blood, urine or tissue with proper label for analysis to the laboratory. This role is crucial for ensuring timely and accurate diagnostic testing and research support within the medical center.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC).
Able to lift up to 10 pounds.
Requires constant walking.
Wears RFID tag to check out collection device throughout the entire shift.
Requires internal contact with patients, nurses, physicians, and allied health practitioners from other departments regarding specimen collection.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a Phlebotomy program in an accredited college or university.
Previous Phlebotomy experience.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC).

Responsibilities

Obtains blood specimens by venipuncture and/or capillary puncture with minimum trauma to patient.
Instructs patients on proper collection of urine samples.
Researches specimen requirements prior to specimen collection for esoteric or new tests.
Maintains a fast and accurate specimen collection turnaround time.
Uses Epic Beaker to enter lab orders.
Verifies tests ordered on the requisition with respect to details for accurate test codes while processing specimens through the LIS system.
Maintains positive patient identification and specimen requirements/handling.
Helps monitor pending lists, including the unreceived specimen log.
Supports CLS Quality Assurance program and participates in performance improvement activities.
Ensures specimen requirements are maintained during transportation and storage as per protocol.
Ensures that specimens sent via tube system are sent successfully.
Maintains specimen integrity at all times.
Maintains positive patient identification for all specimens collected, using defined protocols.
Maintains patient confidentiality throughout all activities and communications.
Enters data of patient demographics and lab order instructions as needed.
Labels patient specimens and paperwork accurately according to established procedures.
Performs Final Check at all times.
Provides exceptional customer service to patients of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds.
Answers calls/communication in a pleasant and professional manner.
Follows up and accepts responsibility for the resolution of the caller's concerns or gives an informed hand off.
Processes laboratory samples according to procedure.
Centrifuges and prepares aliquots when needed.
Dispatches specimens to the main laboratory or other designated testing facility as per established procedure.
Documents all correct and accurate information in regard to the specimens collected.
Delivers collected specimens to the laboratory (window specimen receiving) and may receive specimen using Epic Beaker.
May have to enter orders or look up orders in EPIC Beaker.
May be required to contact the Core Laboratory for retrieval of specimens (e.g. for add-on test).
Adheres to Patient Safety Goals as defined by UTSW, TJC, CAP, and other regulatory/accreditation agencies.
Performs inventory of supplies as assigned.
Provides training to other Phlebotomists as needed.
May provide team leadership for other Phlebotomists in the absence of the Lead Phlebotomist.
Ensures all tests are accounted for in the ordering system.
Contacts physician's office or nurse to obtain order clarification/verification prior to collecting specimens if necessary.
Tracks every specimen to ensure specimen integrity.
Orders and Monitors supplies and ensures all are within expiration date.
Ensures that expired supplies are discarded and none are in the general supply, storage or on phlebotomy carts.
Phlebotomy carts need to be fully stocked with required supplies; delivered to the specific staging area; document daily use on current phlebotomy log.
Keeps work area well organized and free from clutter, stocked with essential supplies and decontaminated with proper cleaning solutions and disposal of wastes and trash in appropriate containers.
Utilizes the Risk Management and Process Improvement tools (Event Reports) in an accurate and timely way to identify issues concerning Quality Improvement and assists coworkers in this process as needed.
Follows chain of command when reporting unsafe practices observed.
Actively participates in the review of the monthly schedule and work assignments in conjunction with the Supervisor/Coordinator.
Knows daily tasks and is accountable for the daily workflow, including the status of the phlebotomy tracker, work flow assignments, and priority test requests.
Acts as a liaison/problem solver for phlebotomy issues.
Performs blood collections, blood cultures, and other special collections (Lactic acid, Ammonia, QFTs, to name a few), according to procedures defined by the LIS Collection Management with minimum errors.
Reports for work on the assigned days at the assigned times.
Follows procedures regarding requesting and using leave in a manner that consistently supports effective job performance.
Performs other duties as assigned.