Phlebotomist/Specimen Processor III Internal Only

Ellis Medicine•Schenectady, NY

About The Position

The Phlebotomist/Specimen Processor III is an advanced-level position on Ellis Medicine’s Laboratory Services team. The role provides complex phlebotomy and specimen-processing services, supports quality assurance and regulatory compliance, and mentors and trains junior staff. As a senior team member and shift resource, this employee provides clinical support, troubleshoots processes, supports reference laboratory and pathology send-outs, and assists with charge reconciliation in a fast-paced laboratory setting. The position serves patients across the lifespan, from neonatal to geriatric, and works in laboratory and patient-service settings, including off-site Patient Service Centers, nursing homes, the Emergency Department, and Emergent Care. Duties include collecting and processing specimens, reviewing laboratory orders, supporting laboratory operations and customer service, and helping maintain accurate documentation and efficient workflows. Minimal local travel is expected. The role requires use of personal protective equipment and involves potential exposure to blood, body fluids, and infectious materials.

Requirements

Meet all requirements for Phlebotomy Level II.
Have five years of experience in a patient-care role, including at least 18 months with Ellis Medicine.
Have no disciplinary infractions in the last 12 months or have a performance evaluation, as applicable to promotion.
Hold a nationally recognized phlebotomy certification, such as ASCP, NHA, NCPT, or equivalent.
Comply with educational and organizational policies and procedures.
Be flexible to work in all laboratory areas as needed.
Work independently at off-site Patient Service Centers and provide phlebotomy services independently to nursing-home residents in the community.
Be preceptor trained and competent to train new hires independently according to laboratory leadership directives.
Have strong communication skills and a professional demeanor with patients, staff, and leadership.
Have experience or familiarity with quality-assurance documentation, regulatory standards, and infection control.
Perform charge reconciliation, CEW and EBEEW fixes, pathology send-outs, and LabCorp and reference-laboratory billing tasks.
Be independent, mature, self-motivated, reliable, and responsible.
Serve patients from neonatal through geriatric ages and interact pleasantly and professionally with all types of customers.
Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and have excellent organizational skills.
Be patient-centered and empathetic in high-pressure situations.
Be able to push or pull and lift or move 35 pounds.
Be able to perform moderately difficult manual tasks, including keyboard use, writing, and filing, for extended periods.
Have the hand-eye coordination needed for data entry, typing, and using photocopiers.
Be able to remain stationary at a workstation for prolonged periods and also squat or be mobile for a reasonable length of time and distance.
Comprehend spoken English and communicate and read in English.
Use required PPE and work with potential exposure to blood, body fluids, and infectious materials.
If promoted, have no disciplinary infractions in the last 12 months or have a performance evaluation, and attend at least 95% of scheduled shifts.

Responsibilities

Perform venipuncture and capillary collections for a full range of patients, including pediatric, geriatric, and difficult-to-draw patients.
Lead special collections, including timed draws, stat and urgent orders, and difficult patient cases.
Maintain patient identification, safety, and specimen-accuracy standards.
Process specimens for in-house and reference laboratory testing, preserving specimen integrity and ensuring proper labeling and handling.
Troubleshoot specimen discrepancies and test-order issues and follow up with clinical departments as needed.
Use Ellis Medicine electronic systems, including Soarian and Cerner, to track and document specimens and testing.
Read and interpret physician laboratory orders; review written and electronic orders for completeness, legibility, and required information.
Help ensure laboratory testing is performed correctly, efficiently, and in accordance with providers’ diagnostic and treatment plans.
Mentor and support Phlebotomist I and II team members and onboard new staff.
Conduct competency assessments and skill validations for new staff.
Serve as the primary shift lead when a supervisor is absent and handle escalations and workflow interruptions.
Facilitate or delegate didactic phlebotomy training for Ellis employees who require it; coordinate and conduct scheduled training for new phlebotomy and specimen-processing hires; act as a preceptor for students and new hires; and assist with orientation checklists.
Monitor daily phlebotomy workflows and participate in quality-improvement initiatives, internal audits, and training updates.
Perform real-time quality assurance by correcting and tracking errors on laboratory requisitions and ensuring compliance and accuracy.
Facilitate communication between the laboratory and clients or providers about computer-file upgrades or additions that affect reporting.
Provide information to Hospital Billing to support compliance and payment for laboratory services; investigate errors and problematic specimens and work toward resolution.
Verify inpatient and outpatient specimens using proper patient identification and follow infection-control, safety, fire, disaster, PPE, and hand-hygiene policies.
Report bruising or injuries occurring during phlebotomy procedures to Nursing; check supplies and rotate inventory to avoid expired products; follow policies for operating leased vehicles.
Deliver logged specimens to laboratory sections, sign for specimens, and follow protocols for each specimen type.
Coordinate add-on testing with departments and Medical Technologists; prepare specimens by centrifuging, decanting, labeling, batching, splitting, and freezing as required.
Monitor the Phlebotomy Task List for stat and timed draws; provide coverage at laboratory triage and fast-track stations, the Emergency Department, and Emergent Care, including ICU/Critical Care.
Process laboratory reference and miscellaneous testing specimens and communicate with nursing units, clinical staff, and laboratory personnel to support timely service.
Contribute to process improvements focused on turnaround time, patient satisfaction, and cost containment.
Provide patient care within job responsibilities, use AIDET during patient encounters, listen to and respect patients, and follow phlebotomy and venipuncture procedures.
Answer calls on a high-volume multiline phone system and perform short registration using hospital information systems.
Complete accurate data entry for patient registration, test-order entry or retrieval, and standing orders; use Soarian Financials and Cerner LIS to register specimens, place orders, label specimens, and deliver them to the appropriate department.
Provide customer service to patients, hospital employees, and clients or providers; monitor the laboratory callback list and report stat results to clients.
Assist clients with concerns, coordinate client supply orders with Distribution, and arrange specimen pickups with courier services.
Protect patient privacy and confidentiality, maintain nonjudgmental behavior, communicate professionally, and use appropriate phone etiquette.
Order and maintain laboratory supply inventory using the MS4 ordering system.
Identify, document, and alert appropriate medical staff to incorrect or inappropriate specimens or orders; provide directions that support efficient daily operations.
Accept constructive feedback and work to improve performance when appropriate; support hospital policies, decisions, and changes; read departmental and organizational communications promptly; and complete required competencies on time.
Make decisions based on established procedures, exercise good judgment, and recommend process improvements, new processes, tools, techniques, or clinical services to management.