Phlebotomist -- Lab -- Teays Valley Hospital

CAMC Health System•Hurricane, WV

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for accurately and promptly performing venipuncture and capillary specimen collection to support quality laboratory results. Screens and enters patient data into laboratory and central computer systems, and performs specimen collection, labeling, processing, distribution, and preparation for analysis or transport. The role also supports patient and outpatient collection instructions, laboratory communications, point-of-care testing, and general departmental operations. The position participates in quality improvement activities and urgent response protocols, maintains required competencies and continuing education, and follows organizational policies and procedures. Duties include handling specimens and related documentation for designated external recipients, assisting with basic laboratory procedures, and taking a limited preceptor role as directed. The position has been evaluated against CLIA-88 requirements and is qualified to perform its duties and responsibilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Formalized training.
At least 80 clinical hours with a minimum of 100 successful unaided blood collections, including 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.
Alternatively, one year of full-time acceptable experience as a phlebotomy technician in a CLIA laboratory may substitute for formalized phlebotomy training; the experience must include venipunctures, skin punctures, and orientation in a full-service laboratory.
Point of Care Tech credential is required.
No certification, competency, or license is otherwise required.
Maintain Laboratory Phlebotomist Competency Validation.
Obtain ten continuing education contact hours annually.
Comply with attendance and scheduling policies, which include overtime, various shift work, and on-call situations.

Responsibilities

Perform venipuncture, capillary blood collection, blood culture collection, and other specimen collections according to procedures and policies.
Collect, label, process, distribute, deliver, and prepare specimens for laboratory analysis or transport.
Access laboratory computer programs, including specimen tracking, and enter patient information using appropriate test and location codes.
Generate laboratory specimen collection lists and account for laboratory tests, computer functions, duplicate orders, and nursing-unit ordering patterns.
Read and carry out physicians’ orders; review outpatient laboratory orders, troubleshoot errors, communicate with registration clerks, and help ensure tests are ordered correctly.
Provide outpatients with instructions on proper collection techniques, including 24-hour urine collections.
Recognize and correct collection or ordering problems according to prescribed protocols, including addressing improperly ordered, labeled, or submitted specimens.
Communicate with nursing units, physicians, and appropriate personnel; relay reports by phone or fax and document customer, visitor, and patient concerns.
Access patient information through HIS while maintaining confidentiality.
Participate in quality assurance studies, PI/QM meetings, and departmental and institutional quality improvement activities.
Maintain a clean and safe work area and ensure work 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 deemed appropriate by the Lab Area Operations Manager.
Answer departmental phone calls, route calls, record messages, handle requests, and pick up or deliver mail as appropriate.
Operate the pneumatic tube system properly and perform basic printer operations and maintenance as indicated.
Participate in Massive Operative Bleed protocol for the O.R., Trauma Priority I and II notifications, and CODE 1-2-3 specimen collection and delivery as indicated.
Perform sweat chloride collection techniques when 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 Laboratory Phlebotomist Competency Validation.
Maintain adequate phlebotomy supplies inventory in the department and nursing units as directed.
Obtain appropriate documentation and release specimens to the Medical Examiner’s office, eye bank, and C.O.R.E.
Obtain appropriate documentation and release bodies to a funeral home or Medical Examiner’s office as appropriate per department.
Perform basic laboratory procedures under the direction of a Certified Phlebotomist, including determining urine volumes, simple reagent preparation, and pH determinations.
Maintain and document all applicable required education; demonstrate positive customer service and coworker relations; and comply with attendance, scheduling, pay, and departmental policies.
Perform work cost-effectively, in alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic plan, and perform related duties as assigned.