Phlebotomy Tech

Emory Healthcare•Atlanta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves collecting, labeling, and transporting patient specimens for testing in a timely manner, including routine and advanced venipuncture. The technician will uphold organizational values by providing exemplary customer service throughout the pre-analytical and analytical processes. Responsibilities include adhering to strict patient identification protocols, processing emergency orders, accurately labeling specimens, operating departmental computer programs, reconciling outstanding test orders, practicing universal precautions, maintaining supply stock, performing preventive maintenance on equipment, and documenting/escalating issues. Additional duties may include specimen processing, assuming coordinator responsibilities in the absence of supervisory staff, performing clerical duties, and assisting in training new staff or students. For clinic-based roles, duties may include reviewing test requisitions, providing instructions for non-blood specimen collections, maintaining standing order files, preparing and triaging specimens, and obtaining Medicare waivers. For hospital-based roles, duties include maintaining WOW carts, adhering to patient isolation procedures, maintaining phone availability for emergent collections, and interacting with clinical staff to resolve specimen/collection issues.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Basic computer skills with ability to type minimum 35 words per minute required for Clinic based positions and preferred for Hospital based.
Basic medical terminology and customer service skills expected.

Nice To Haves

2 years relevant phlebotomy experience
Phlebotomy certificate
Basic computer skills with ability to type minimum 35 words per minute preferred for Hospital based positions.

Responsibilities

Collects, labels, and transports patient specimens for testing in a timely manner including routine and advanced venipuncture.
Upholds the values of the organization including providing and demonstrating exemplary customer service skills throughout the pre-analytical and analytical processes.
May initiate intervention on unacceptable specimens.
Adheres to strict protocol regarding patient identification; ensures that each patient is positively identified prior to any specimen collection.
Collects patient blood samples by performing venipunctures as ordered and within the prescribed time-frame following strict medical protocol.
Processes all emergency orders (STATS and Timed Studies) within the required time frame.
Labels each specimen accurately according to established laboratory procedures prior to processing or transport.
Operates departmental computer programs to activate orders, performs order management through test consolidation or cancellation as authorized, orders laboratory tests, enters comments and performs troubleshooting as necessary.
Reconciles outstanding test orders that have not been resolved through standard operating procedures.
Practices universal precautions, barrier protection methods, and infection control.
Maintains the stock of commonly used supplies, performing routine inspections of stock levels and reviews expiration dates to ensure adequate availability.
Performs preventive maintenance on equipment.
Takes prompt action to resolve any problem with the registration, collection or processing of all specimens including referral specimens using available test catalog or reference materials.
May perform specimen processing procedures as required.
May assume coordinator responsibilities in the absence of supervisory staff.
Identifies, understands, and documents issues, problems, and opportunities and escalating to supervisory when appropriate.
Performs basic clerical duties as needed.
May assist in training new staff or students in blood collection and/ or specimen processing as directed.
Participates in quality improvement activities.
Works with supervisor to formulate plan for professional development.
Attends educational in-services and training classes for various computer systems necessary for patient registration and referral testing.
Performs other duties as required.
May review test requisitions and order tests appropriately following up on all tests with incomplete information or questionable test orders.
Provides patients and outreach clients instruction as necessary regarding non-blood specimen collections.
May maintain standing order files and schedule/ arrive lab appointments.
Prepares and triages specimens to the proper testing facility.
Obtains waivers for Medicare coverage when applicable.
Maintain and utilize computerized WOW carts insuring adequately charged and operational.
Adheres to patient isolation procedures as required to ensure a safe work environment.
Must maintain phone availability for emergent collections.
Interacts with clinical staff on unit to maintain computerized records, resolve, and troubleshoots outstanding specimen/collections.