Phlebotomist -- Lab -- General Hospital

CAMC Health System•Charleston, WV

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Phlebotomist performs accurate and timely venipuncture, capillary, and other specimen collections to support quality laboratory results. The role screens and enters patient data into laboratory and central computer systems; collects, labels, processes, and distributes specimens; and supports specimen preparation, analysis, and transport. The position also assists patients with collection instructions, reviews and carries out physician orders, coordinates with nursing units, physicians, and registration staff to resolve ordering issues, and documents and corrects specimen or labeling problems. Additional duties include answering and routing departmental calls, handling messages and requests, maintaining supplies and a clean, safe work area, operating the pneumatic tube system and basic printer functions, and communicating reports to appropriate personnel. The Phlebotomist participates in quality improvement, emergency and trauma specimen workflows, point-of-care testing under direct supervision, and basic laboratory procedures under direction. The position may provide limited precepting for new hires and students and must maintain phlebotomy competency validation and complete ten continuing education contact hours annually. The role is based at General Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia, and the work schedule varies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Formalized training.
At least 80 clinical hours, including a minimum of 100 successful unaided blood collections covering venipunctures and skin punctures; orientation in a full-service laboratory; and 40 clock hours of didactic training covering circulatory-system anatomy and physiology, specimen collection, processing and handling, and laboratory operations such as safety and quality control.
One year of full-time acceptable experience as a phlebotomy technician in a CLIA laboratory may substitute for formalized phlebotomy training, provided the experience includes venipunctures, skin punctures, and orientation in a full-service laboratory.
Point of Care Tech credential or qualification is required.
Maintain Laboratory Phlebotomist Competency Validation.
Complete ten continuing education contact hours annually.
Comply with departmental scheduling and pay practices, which may include overtime, various shifts, and on-call situations.

Responsibilities

Perform venipuncture and capillary blood collection according to procedures and policies.
Collect blood cultures and other specimens according to procedures and policies.
Collect, label, process, and distribute specimens to appropriate laboratory sections.
Access laboratory computer programs, including specimen-tracking systems.
Process, deliver, and prepare laboratory specimens for analysis or transport.
Instruct outpatients on proper collection techniques, including 24-hour urine collection.
Enter patient information using laboratory test codes and patient location codes.
Generate laboratory specimen collection lists, accounting for tests, computer functions, duplicate orders, and nursing-unit ordering patterns.
Read and carry out physicians’ orders.
Communicate with nursing units and physicians to ensure appropriate laboratory tests are ordered.
Take corrective action on improperly ordered laboratory tests and resolve issues according to phlebotomy protocols.
Participate in quality assurance studies and performance improvement and quality management meetings.
Document customer, visitor, and patient concerns appropriately.
Communicate reports to appropriate personnel by phone or fax.
Document and correct improperly labeled or submitted specimens.
Access information from the hospital information system while maintaining patient confidentiality.
Maintain a clean and safe work area and ensure working materials and equipment are clean.
Perform department-appropriate point-of-care testing under the direct supervision of a Certified Phlebotomist or Medical Lab Scientist, as determined by the Lab Area Operations Manager.
Answer departmental phones, route calls, record messages, and handle requests as needed.
Pick up and deliver mail as appropriate.
Operate the pneumatic tube system properly.
Perform basic printer operations and maintenance as indicated.
Participate in the Massive Operative Bleed protocol for the operating room.
Participate in Trauma Priority I and Trauma Priority II notifications.
Collect and deliver specimens as indicated for CODE 1-2-3.
Perform sweat chloride collection techniques as appropriate for the department.
Take a limited role in precepting new hires and students as directed by a Certified Phlebotomist or Lab Area Operations Manager.
Acquire ten continuing education contact hours annually and maintain knowledge and skills.
Read and interpret outpatient physicians’ laboratory orders, troubleshoot errors, and communicate with registration clerks to make corrections.
Maintain adequate phlebotomy supply inventory in the department and nursing units as directed.
Obtain required documentation and release specimens to the Medical Examiner’s office, eye bank, and C.O.R.E.
Obtain required documentation and release bodies to a funeral home or Medical Examiner’s office as appropriate.
Perform basic laboratory procedures under direction of a Certified Phlebotomist, including determining urine volumes, simple reagent preparation, and pH determinations.
Maintain Laboratory Phlebotomist Competency Validation.
Collect throat and nasopharyngeal swabs for culture as indicated and appropriate for the department.
Maintain and document applicable required education; provide positive customer service and coworker relations; comply with attendance, departmental pay, and scheduling policies; participate in continuous quality improvement; work cost-effectively and in alignment with organizational policies, mission, and strategic plan; and perform related duties as assigned.