Phlebotomy Technician

Mercyhealth•Freeport, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves performing phlebotomy on patients to obtain blood specimens, adhering to safety protocols and infection control practices. The technician will also be responsible for patient registration, payment collection, data entry, and managing laboratory information systems. Responsibilities include transferring test requests, answering phone calls, resolving unclear orders, generating reports, and ensuring specimen integrity. The position requires proficiency in various sample collections, patient instructions, and potentially performing limited waived testing. The technician may also drive a company vehicle to client sites for specimen collection and transport. Additionally, the role involves assisting with inventory, stocking supplies, and training new staff, acting as a resource for the phlebotomy team.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Successful completion of a phlebotomy course or previous phlebotomy experience preferred.
Experience as a Paramedic, EMT, CNA or MA helpful.
Phlebotomy Certification preferred.
Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

Perform patient registration, payment collection, and data entry of demographic and insurance information.
Transfer patient test requests from scripts, requisitions, and verbal orders into HIS and laboratory computer systems.
Answer and screen telephone calls professionally.
Resolve unusual or unclear test orders by contacting physicians, nurses, or reference laboratories and documenting actions.
Generate lists and labels, run daily reports, and review collection summary reports.
Assess orders for special collection requirements, patient preparation, and appropriate order of draw.
Accurately identify patients using two patient identifiers.
Perform phlebotomy on patients to obtain blood specimens.
Adhere to safety protocols and infection control practices.
Assess patient response to procedures and interact with patients in an understandable and comfortable manner.
Accurately identify and label specimens with required information.
Assure specimen integrity using aseptic technique and appropriate procedures.
Collect various samples including throat swabs, MRSA swabs, urine samples, heel sticks, finger sticks, blood cultures, and blood bank specimens.
Perform arterial punctures for blood specimens from adults (RMH Phlebotomy only).
Perform glucose tolerance and hormone stimulation specimen collection within specified time increments.
Collect specimens for research programs, Lab One, and special collection kits.
Provide patient instruction for the collection and handling of personally collected specimens.
Perform specialized sample collections such as breath alcohol testing, and various urine drug screens.
Receive, accession, and examine collected specimens for testing acceptability.
Centrifuge and aliquot specimens as needed and deliver to the appropriate laboratory section or batch for courier pick-up.
Notify testing personnel of stat requests.
Accept specimens from internal and external customers, sort samples, and resolve identification or requisition issues.
Utilize LIS to appropriately receive, package, and track specimens for transportation to reference laboratories.
Possess working knowledge of insurance processes specific to reference laboratories for billing compliance.
Drive laboratory personal vehicle to client sites, patient homes, or facilities for specimen collection.
Perform accurate specimen collection at client sites, patient homes, or facilities and transport specimens properly to the lab.
Perform limited waived testing including blood glucose monitoring.
Perform rapid flu and strep tests, mono testing, pregnancy testing, and dipstick urinalysis (depending on location).
Perform quality control procedures and proficiency testing.
Call critical results to the appropriate licensed caregiver and chart reports.
Perform electrocardiogram tracing (ten lead and pediatric EKGs) (depending on location).
Communicate critical results to authorized personnel (legacy Rockford locations only).
Perform result entry in the LIS.
Perform temperature checks and clean laboratory glassware.
Assist with inventory and maintenance of supplies, and fill supply requests.
Assist with orientation and training of new staff, coach in customer service excellence, and provide input for performance evaluations.
Provide mentorship to phlebotomy staff as needed.
Work collaboratively with the supervisor to ensure adequate staffing and skill mix.
Evaluate new products and provide written documentation of evaluation activities.
Demonstrate exemplary phlebotomy skills and serve as a resource to the phlebotomy team.
Take ownership of the department, identify areas for improvement, and make suggestions to the Phlebotomy Supervisor.
Resolve issues independently.