Day - North Fulton

Wellstar Health System•Roswell, GA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Laboratory Manager or designee, the Phlebotomist/Lab Support Services Specialist performs technical and non-technical duties within laboratory service areas on the hospital campus. Work includes HIS/LIS data entry and troubleshooting, laboratory technical support, customer service for patients and health care providers, specimen receipt and processing, preparation of specimens for reference laboratories, microbiology processing, loading samples onto laboratory automation, and preparing samples for technical staff. The role also performs phlebotomy and other specimen collection techniques, operates pre-analytical and specimen-storage robots, and assists in multiple areas as workload and staffing change. The position requires careful specimen handling and documentation, patient identification and safety practices, communication with patients and care providers, and support for laboratory systems and operations. The employee also participates in training, competency testing, and staff communications, and performs other duties as assigned while complying with WellStar policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

High school diploma.
BLS, ARC-BLS, or BLS-I certification required upon hire.
Experience in phlebotomy and/or specimen processing in an outpatient or hospital laboratory environment.
Strong written and verbal communication, customer service, multitasking, and organizational skills.
Professionalism, attention to detail, and a team-oriented approach.
Data-entry skills, typing speed of 40 words per minute, and working knowledge of computers.

Nice To Haves

Phlebotomy certification from a national organization; preferred upon hire.

Responsibilities

Inspect incoming specimens for adequate quality and quantity; notify nursing staff and document in the LIS when specimens are unacceptable.
Centrifuge, decant, split, combine, measure, and aliquot specimens as needed, and deliver them to testing areas promptly.
Prepare specimens for reference laboratory transport using tracking and pending logs.
Review outpatient, physician, drop-off, and Home Health orders for accuracy; resolve discrepancies and insurance or billing issues with the appropriate staff.
Process microbiology specimens, including plating, preparation, and preparation of gram stains.
Prepare and maintain phlebotomy trays and supplies.
Collect venous and capillary blood specimens according to patient identification, confidentiality, safety, infection-control, PPE, sharps-disposal, and handwashing procedures; the stated minimum collection rate is 10 venipunctures per hour.
Review collection lists to identify duplicate or combinable orders, question unusual or repetitive orders, and obtain RN approval when required.
Identify patients using two identifiers, notify nursing staff of missing or incorrect armbands, and follow Blood Culture and Blood Bank collection and handling procedures.
Ensure patients are secure after collection, remove tourniquets, confirm puncture-site clotting, and deliver specimens within specified timeframes.
Resolve unreceived specimen pending logs in the LIS and retrieve acceptable samples when possible.
Follow AIDET standards and provide courteous, effective service to outpatients, visitors, and hospital personnel.
Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality; receive calls and resolve or route them appropriately.
Address patient and provider complaints, referring issues to a supervisor when appropriate.
Provide test results to care providers through printed reports, fax, or verbal communication, and perform critical-value callbacks and notifications.
Maintain organized files and make follow-up calls regarding problem specimens and recollections.
Enter orders in HIS/LIS and use multiple computer systems; apply critical thinking and laboratory knowledge to resolve order and sample issues.
Report and troubleshoot HIS/LIS, printer, and fax malfunctions, and organize specimen intake during downtime and recovery.
Assist with inventory control, organize laboratory storage areas, restock supplies, and perform required refrigerator and freezer quality checks.
Assist with orientation and training of new employees as assigned; check Sunquest email daily and complete assigned training and competency testing on time.
Participate in staff meetings, read posted meeting minutes, perform other duties as assigned, and comply with WellStar policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.