Phlebotomy Technician, PRN

Mercyhealth•Freeport, IL

About The Position

The Phlebotomy Technician collects, labels, processes, and transports blood and other patient specimens while maintaining accurate patient identification, specimen integrity, and compliance with safety and infection-control protocols. The role also supports patient registration, laboratory order entry, specimen handling, and daily laboratory operations while providing professional patient care. The schedule is PRN with variable hours as needed. The technician must be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Duties include registering patients; entering orders and demographic and insurance information into hospital and laboratory information systems; resolving order and specimen issues; collecting and accessioning specimens; performing limited waived testing and quality-control procedures; communicating critical results; and helping maintain laboratory supplies and equipment. Depending on location, the role may also involve electrocardiograms, client-site or home visits, and additional testing or specimen-collection procedures. Mercyhealth describes itself as an integrated health system serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, with seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and more than 7,500 professionals. It offers competitive pay and benefits, including retirement, time off, on-demand pay, and access to an Employee Assistance Program. Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.
Ability to perform phlebotomy and specimen collection accurately while following patient-identification, safety, infection-control, and specimen-handling procedures.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Paramedic, EMT, CNA, or MA is helpful.
Phlebotomy certification is preferred.
Successful completion of a phlebotomy course or previous phlebotomy experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Use hospital and laboratory information systems to release orders, register patients, enter orders, and record results as needed.
Register patients and enter demographic and insurance information; collect payments and support efficient sample processing.
Answer and screen telephone calls professionally; resolve unclear or unusual orders by contacting the appropriate parties and refer unresolved issues to a supervisor.
Generate labels and reports, review order monitors and collection summary reports, and assess special collection and patient-preparation requirements.
Identify patients using two identifiers and collect blood specimens through phlebotomy.
Assess patient responses to procedures, adapt the process as needed, and obtain medical or supervisory assistance when appropriate.
Label specimens accurately and maintain specimen integrity using aseptic techniques and established procedures.
Collect other specimens as needed, including swabs, urine, heel sticks, finger sticks, blood cultures, and blood bank specimens.
Perform arterial punctures on adults at the specified RMH location, and collect timed glucose tolerance, hormone stimulation, research, and special-kit specimens as assigned.
Instruct patients in the collection and handling of specimens they collect themselves.
Perform specialized collections, including breath alcohol testing and random, pre-employment, and legal urine drug screens.
Receive and accession specimens, assess acceptability, centrifuge and aliquot samples as needed, and deliver or batch specimens for courier pickup.
Notify testing personnel of stat requests; resolve specimen identification or requisition issues; and package and track specimens sent to reference laboratories.
Apply working knowledge of reference-laboratory insurance processes and general registration and billing rules.
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, and, when assigned, rapid flu and strep tests, mono testing, pregnancy testing, and dipstick urinalysis.
Perform quality-control and proficiency-testing procedures; communicate critical results to authorized personnel and document reports as needed.
Perform ten-lead and pediatric EKG tracings when required by location; communicate critical results at legacy Rockford locations as specified.
Perform temperature checks and clean and check laboratory glassware.
Maintain supplies, submit supply orders, receive and stock supplies, and fulfill supply requests from clients and providers.
Assist with orientation and training of new partners, mentor staff, provide input for performance evaluations, and help ensure competence before training completion.
Work with the supervisor to support adequate staffing and skill mix; evaluate new products and document evaluations as required.
Serve as a phlebotomy resource, identify opportunities for improvement, make suggestions, and help resolve issues.