Phlebotomist - Primary Care

The University of Kansas Health System•Liberty, MO

About The Position

The Phlebotomist works within the clinical laboratory and interprets laboratory orders from health system providers and outside providers to identify the appropriate specimen and tube type. The role follows regulatory, accreditation, safety, and hospital standards, policies, and procedures, including positive patient identification before blood collection and confirmation of identification after labeling specimens. In ambulatory settings, labeled tubes are presented to patients for confirmation; in inpatient settings, tubes are matched to the patient's wristband. The Phlebotomist recognizes how pre-analytical variables—including patient identification, tube type, specimen condition, and integrity—can affect laboratory results, and participates in quality assurance and improvement activities. The role releases orders in the Hospital Information System (HIS), receives specimens in the Laboratory Information System (LIS), and processes samples, including centrifugation, urine aliquoting, and separating or pouring off plasma or serum when needed. In ambulatory settings, specimens are prepared for transport by scanning bar-coded samples onto a LIS packing list. As a representative of the clinical laboratory, the Phlebotomist is expected to act professionally, respectfully, and courteously, follow AIDET customer-service guidelines, and support patient satisfaction. The position also involves troubleshooting orders and missing specimens, data entry, requisition management, telephone support, and multitasking in a fast-paced, patient-focused environment.

Requirements

High school graduate.
Meet one of the following experience or training paths: less than 1 year and 6 months of experience in an internal phlebotomy training program; 1 or more years of experience in specimen collection and processing; or completion of an external phlebotomy program.
Fluent English, with the ability to understand, read, write, and speak English.
Ability to perform the professional, clinical, and/or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.

Nice To Haves

Advanced skill in adult and pediatric phlebotomy.
Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP).
Valid driver's license is recommended.

Responsibilities

Perform blood draws by venipuncture according to standard protocol while ensuring patient safety and quality specimen collection.
Collect specimens using appropriate techniques and provide patients or care providers with collection instructions and materials.
Provide immediate patient care when a patient exhibits signs of a post-venipuncture reaction, typically vasovagal.
Assess patient presentation and escort adolescents, young adults, or patients who report typical reactions to a draw room with a recliner.
Perform data entry in applicable information systems in accordance with departmental and organizational policies.
Ensure correct specimen containers, centrifugation, and transport conditions, and determine whether specimens are suitable for add-on testing.
Release ambulatory patient orders in HIS; receive samples in LIS; print and affix bar-code labels; and enter outside orders when the scanned order is available in HIS.
Consult the Phlebotomy Coordinator, Supervisor, or Laboratory Leadership when assistance is needed.
Assist nursing staff when requested.
Process specimens, including aliquoting urine and separating blood samples when required.
Respond to telephone inquiries, provide customer service, address callers' needs, and troubleshoot issues.
Instruct, orient, and mentor students, employees, patients, and other health care providers as applicable.
Maintain an adequate inventory of supplies.
Perform other assigned duties, which may include nasopharyngeal, oral, or nasal swab collections using appropriate PPE.
Provide coverage at alternate locations when requested by management to meet critical staffing needs.