Phlebotomy Technician

Mercyhealth•Rockford, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Mercyhealth is seeking a dedicated Phlebotomy Technician to join their team. This role involves performing a variety of tasks related to patient registration, sample collection, and laboratory procedures. The technician will be responsible for accurate patient identification, specimen collection, and ensuring specimen integrity. They will also handle patient registration, payment collection, data entry, and communicate with healthcare professionals to resolve test orders. The position requires adherence to safety protocols and infection control practices, as well as the ability to interact with patients in a clear and comfortable manner. The technician may also be involved in performing limited waived testing, quality control procedures, and assisting with inventory and supply management. Additionally, this role may involve driving to client sites for specimen collection and providing training and mentorship to new team members. Mercyhealth is an integrated health system committed to providing exceptional care and empowering its employees.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Successful completion of a phlebotomy course or previous phlebotomy experience preferred.
Experience as a Paramedic, EMT, or MA helpful.
Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Proficient with Hospital Information System--HIS and Laboratory Information Systems--LIS.
Proficiently perform phlebotomy on patient population.
Accurately identify patients using two patient identifiers.
Adheres to safety protocols and infection control practices.
Possess the ability to assess patient response to procedure and interact with the patient at a level that is understandable and comfortable for the patient.
Accurately identify and label specimens with patient name, date of birth, date and time of collection and collector code.
Assure specimen integrity by using aseptic technique and following appropriate procedures.
Proficiently collect other samples as indicated including throat swabs, MRSA swabs, urine samples, heel sticks, finger sticks, blood cultures and blood bank specimens.
Performs glucose tolerance and hormone stimulation specimen collection in the specified time increments, as well as accurate patient preparation.
Performs research program, Lab One, and special collection kit specimen collection.
Provides patient instruction in the collection and handling of personally collected specimens.
Performs specialized sample collections including breath alcohol testing, random urine drug screens, pre-employment urine drug screens and legal urine drug screens.
Receives and accessions collected specimens using LIS, examines for testing acceptability, centrifuges and aliquots specimens as needed and delivers to the appropriate section in the laboratory or batches specimens for courier pick-up.
Appropriately notify testing personnel of stat requests.
Accept specimens from a variety of internal and external customers; sort samples; resolve specimen identification or requisition issues; utilize LIS to appropriately receive specimens; package and track specimens for transportation to reference laboratories.
Possess working knowledge of insurance processes specific to reference laboratories to assure billing is done in accordance with government regulations.
Is knowledgeable of general insurance information as related to registration and basic rules related to billing such as proper use of collection dates.
Performs accurate specimen collection at client sites, patient homes or facilities.
Transports specimens properly to the lab.
Assure receipt of samples to the laboratory.
Performs limited waived testing including blood glucose monitoring according to established procedures.
At the discretion of the supervisor, perform rapid flu and strep tests, mono testing, pregnancy testing and dipstick urinalysis according to established procedures.
Perform quality control procedures and proficiency testing accurately and as closely as possible to patient testing.
Call critical results to the appropriate licensed caregiver and chart reports as needed.
Depending on location may be required to perform electrocardiogram tracing ten lead and pediatric EKGs.
Communicates critical results to authorized personnel--Only at legacy Rockford locations
Perform result entry in the LIS.
Performs temperature checks.
Cleans and checks laboratory glassware.
Assists with inventory and maintenance of supplies at an appropriate level.
Submits orders for supply acquisition; receives and stocks supplies.
Fills supply requests from clients and providers.
Assists with orientation and training of new partners; coach in customer service excellence on an ongoing basis; assures competence of new partners prior to release of partner from training program; provide input for performance evaluations for phlebotomy partners to phlebotomy supervisor.
Provides mentorship to phlebotomy staff as needed.
Works collaboratively with supervisor to ensure adequate staffing and skill mix.
Evaluate new products as necessary; provide written documentation of evaluation activities as required by regulatory agencies.
Demonstrate exemplary phlebotomy skills with all types of patients; Use these skills to serve as a resource to the phlebotomy team.
Takes ownership of the department; Identifies areas for improvement and makes suggestions to Phlebotomy Supervisor; Possesses ability to resolve issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Paramedic, EMT, or MA helpful.

Responsibilities

Perform patient registration, payment collection, and data entry of demographic and insurance information.
Transfer patient test requests into HIS and laboratory computer systems.
Answer and screen telephone calls professionally.
Resolve or refer unresolved test orders to the appropriate supervisor.
Generate lists and labels, run daily reports, and review collection summary reports.
Assess orders for special collection requirements and patient preparation.
Accurately identify patients using two identifiers.
Perform phlebotomy on various patient populations to obtain blood specimens.
Adhere to safety protocols and infection control practices.
Assess patient response to procedures and interact appropriately.
Accurately identify and label specimens.
Ensure specimen integrity using aseptic technique.
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 specimen collection (RMH Phlebotomy only).
Perform glucose tolerance and hormone stimulation specimen collection.
Perform research program, Lab One, and special collection kit specimen collection.
Provide patient instruction for self-collected specimens.
Perform specialized sample collections such as breath alcohol testing and urine drug screens.
Receive, accession, and process collected specimens using LIS.
Notify testing personnel of stat requests.
Accept specimens from various customers, sort samples, and resolve identification or requisition issues.
Utilize LIS to receive, package, and track specimens for transportation.
Maintain working knowledge of insurance processes for reference laboratories.
Drive laboratory personal vehicle to client sites, patient homes, or facilities for specimen collection and transport.
Perform limited waived testing including blood glucose monitoring.
Perform rapid flu and strep tests, mono testing, pregnancy testing, and dipstick urinalysis (at supervisor's discretion).
Perform quality control procedures and proficiency testing.
Call critical results to the appropriate licensed caregiver and chart reports.
Perform electrocardiogram tracing (may be required 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.
Fill supply requests from clients and providers.
Assist with orientation and training of new partners, coaching in customer service excellence.
Provide input for performance evaluations.
Provide mentorship to phlebotomy staff.
Collaborate with supervisor to ensure adequate staffing and skill mix.
Evaluate new products and provide documentation.
Demonstrate exemplary phlebotomy skills and serve as a resource.
Take ownership of the department, identify areas for improvement, and make suggestions.
Resolve issues.