Phlebotomist

Independence Health System Careers•Greensburg, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Phlebotomist performs essential job functions related to laboratory information systems, specimen collection, and patient interaction. This role involves accurately placing orders, monitoring reports, responding to system errors, and looking up test information. The phlebotomist follows standard precautions for venous or capillary phlebotomy, ensuring correct patient and specimen identification using two identifiers. They adhere to specific department protocols for blood collection and post-venipuncture care, respond to pages promptly, and aim to minimize redraws in compliance with policy. A key responsibility is maintaining an acceptable blood culture contamination rate of less than 2%. The role may also involve assisting with or performing specimen procurement, urine drug screen collections, collections for legal alcohols, and nasal and throat swab collections. Processing laboratory orders, documenting specimen receipt, and assessing specimen appropriateness are also part of the duties. The phlebotomist ensures smooth processing of orders and patients during downtime and interacts effectively with healthcare providers, co-workers, and patients to represent the department and facilitate quality laboratory services. Professional phone etiquette is expected, with efforts to minimize hold times and transfers. Staying current with department protocols is crucial for communicating accurate information. Specimens are delivered to the laboratory in a timely manner, packaged for safe transport. The role includes filling supply orders, monitoring collection and unreceived lists, and maintaining operational readiness. Inventory management, including rotating stock and monitoring for outdated items, is also required. Scanning and indexing patient orders at registration, preparing samples for transport, and operating hospital vehicles for inter-site travel are additional duties. The phlebotomist may also participate in the training and validation of new employees, RNs, and technical partners. Other duties as assigned.

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.
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.
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

Experience in Healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates competency in Laboratory Information System (LIS) functions by accurately placing orders, monitor various reports to track specimen and/or results, responding to system errors, and correctly look up test codes, collection info, and physician demographics.
Follow standard precautions when performing venous or capillary phlebotomy.
Assure the correct identification of patient and specimen by 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 performs in compliance with redraw policy.
Maintain 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 to obtain and exchange information needed to expedite quality laboratory services.
Assure that telephones are answered 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 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.
Inventories and rotate stock to limit unnecessary waste, monitor phlebotomy basket for outdated inventory.
Perform scanning and indexing of patient orders at time of registration.
Ready samples for transport, including all computer work required, i.e. click and pack, tracking, etc.
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.
Other duties as assigned.