Phlebotomy Tech

Emory•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Phlebotomy Tech collects, labels, processes, and transports patient specimens for testing, including routine and advanced venipuncture. The role follows strict patient-identification and medical protocols, processes emergency and timed orders within required time frames, and provides exemplary customer service throughout specimen collection and processing. Depending on assignment, the position may be clinic based or hospital based, with duties that include order management, specimen preparation and triage, patient and client instruction, and coordination with clinical staff. The position also maintains supplies and equipment, follows infection-control and safety procedures, responds to collection or processing issues, participates in quality-improvement and professional-development activities, and may help train new staff or students. Additional duties may include basic clerical work and assuming coordinator responsibilities when supervisory staff are absent.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Basic computer skills.
Basic medical terminology and customer-service skills.
For clinic-based positions, ability to type at least 35 words per minute is required; for hospital-based positions, it is preferred.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including lifting up to 50 pounds and carrying objects up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work in an environment with potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens, biohazardous waste, chemicals, communicable diseases, and other listed environmental factors.

Nice To Haves

Two years of relevant phlebotomy experience preferred.
Phlebotomy certificate preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect patient blood samples through routine and advanced venipuncture as ordered and within prescribed time frames.
Positively identify each patient before specimen collection and label specimens accurately according to laboratory procedures.
Transport, process, prepare, and triage specimens for testing, including referral specimens, as required.
Process STAT and timed-study orders within required time frames.
Operate departmental computer programs to activate and manage orders, order laboratory tests, enter comments, consolidate or cancel tests when authorized, and troubleshoot issues.
Reconcile outstanding test orders and resolve problems with registration, collection, or specimen processing using available test catalogs or reference materials.
Follow universal precautions, barrier-protection methods, infection-control practices, and applicable patient-isolation procedures.
Maintain commonly used supplies, inspect stock levels and expiration dates, and perform preventive maintenance on equipment.
Identify, document, and escalate issues, problems, and opportunities to supervisors when appropriate.
Perform basic clerical duties as needed and participate in quality-improvement activities.
Work with a supervisor to formulate a professional-development plan and attend educational in-services and training for relevant computer systems.
Assist with training new staff or students in blood collection or specimen processing as directed.
For clinic-based assignments, review requisitions, place appropriate orders, follow up on incomplete or questionable orders, instruct patients and outreach clients on non-blood specimen collection, maintain standing-order files, schedule or arrive lab appointments, and obtain Medicare coverage waivers when applicable.
For hospital-based assignments, maintain computerized WOW carts in charged and operational condition, remain available by phone for emergent collections, and work with clinical staff to maintain computerized records and resolve outstanding specimen or collection issues.
Perform other duties as required.