Phlebotomy Technician

Mercyhealth•Riverside, IL

About The Position

The Phlebotomy Technician provides compassionate patient care while collecting blood and other specimens, ensuring accurate identification, labeling, handling, and timely processing. The role supports laboratory operations and works with patients, providers, laboratory colleagues, and customers to provide a safe and positive experience. The schedule is PRN, with variable shifts as needed. The technician performs patient registration and order entry, uses hospital and laboratory information systems, resolves order or specimen issues, and communicates professionally by phone. Duties include collecting and processing specimens, conducting limited waived testing and quality-control procedures, communicating critical results as applicable, and supporting supply management, training, and daily laboratory operations. Depending on location, the role may include electrocardiogram tracing and travel to client sites, patient homes, or facilities for collections and specimen transport. The position requires the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. A high school diploma or equivalent, completion of a phlebotomy course or previous phlebotomy experience, and phlebotomy certification are preferred. The pay range is $17.57–$26.36. Mercyhealth describes its compensation and benefits as competitive, and lists retirement, time off, on-demand pay, and access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), among other offerings.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Successful completion of a phlebotomy course or previous phlebotomy experience preferred.
Phlebotomy certification preferred.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Paramedic, EMT, CNA, or MA is helpful.
Phlebotomy certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Use the Hospital Information System and Laboratory Information Systems to release orders, register patients, enter orders, and perform related tasks.
Register patients; collect payments; enter demographic and insurance information; and support efficient sample processing.
Transfer test requests from scripts, requisitions, and verbal orders into hospital and laboratory computer systems.
Answer and screen telephone calls professionally; resolve unclear or unusual orders by contacting appropriate clinicians or reference laboratories, document actions, and refer unresolved issues to a supervisor.
Generate lists and labels, run daily reports, review order monitors, and investigate collection summary reports.
Assess special collection requirements, patient preparation, and appropriate order of draw.
Identify patients using two identifiers and proficiently collect blood specimens from the patient population.
Follow safety protocols and infection-control practices; assess patient response and provide assistance or adjust the process as needed.
Accurately label specimens with patient name, date of birth, collection date and time, and collector code; maintain specimen integrity using aseptic technique and appropriate procedures.
Collect other specimens as indicated, including throat and MRSA swabs, urine samples, heel and finger sticks, blood cultures, and blood bank specimens.
At the designated RMH location, perform arterial punctures on adults and record the appropriate collection charge.
Collect glucose tolerance and hormone stimulation specimens at specified time increments and prepare patients appropriately.
Collect research program, Lab One, and special collection kit specimens; instruct patients in collecting and handling their own specimens.
Perform specialized collections, including breath alcohol tests and random, pre-employment, and legal urine drug screens.
Receive and accession specimens in the LIS; assess acceptability, centrifuge and aliquot as needed, and deliver or batch specimens for courier pickup.
Notify testing personnel of STAT requests; accept and sort samples from internal and external customers; resolve identification or requisition issues; and package and track specimens sent to reference laboratories.
Apply working knowledge of insurance processes for reference laboratory testing and general registration and billing rules, including collection dates.
Drive a laboratory personal vehicle to client sites, patient homes, or facilities; collect specimens and transport them properly to the laboratory.
Perform limited waived testing, including blood glucose monitoring, and, at the supervisor's discretion, rapid flu and strep tests, mono testing, pregnancy testing, and dipstick urinalysis.
Perform quality control and proficiency testing; communicate critical results to appropriate licensed caregivers and chart reports as needed.
Depending on location, perform ten-lead and pediatric EKG tracing; at legacy Rockford locations, communicate critical results to authorized personnel.
Enter results in the LIS, perform temperature checks, and clean and check laboratory glassware.
Assist with inventory and supply maintenance; submit acquisition orders, receive and stock supplies, and fill client and provider supply requests.
Assist with orientation and training of new partners, coach on customer service, verify competence before release from training, provide performance-evaluation input to the phlebotomy supervisor, and mentor staff as needed.
Work with the supervisor to ensure adequate staffing and skill mix; evaluate new products and document evaluation activities as required by regulatory agencies.
Demonstrate strong phlebotomy skills and serve as a resource to the team; take ownership of the department, identify improvement opportunities, make suggestions, and resolve issues.