Phlebotomist/Lab Assistant III

Company: Memorial Health
Location: Springfield
Posted on: May 17, 2022

Job Description:

Overview The function of this position is to perform more complex phlebotomy and laboratory assistant duties. Processes specimens, trains other Phlebotomy Lab Assistants, dispatches, monitors and orders supplies, adjusts morning round assignments as needed, coordinates breaks and provides input regarding staff performance. Performs stat cases, capillary blood specimens and participates in the collection of special procedures. A variety of tasks fall within this classification such as blood collection from patients of all ages, collection of body fluid specimens (i.e. urine) and cultures and other functions within the department under the supervision of a medical technologist. Qualifications Education: --- High school graduate or equivalent required. --- Associates degree or higher preferred. Licensure/Certification/Registry: --- ASCP or equivalent Phlebotomy (PBT) Certification preferred. --- ASCP or equivalent Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Certification preferred. Experience: --- Minimum 1 year of experience as a Phlebotomist II or equivalent mastering collecting blood specimens from patients of all ages, including routine and stat venous and arterial blood gases, trauma cases and stat codes required. --- Minimum 1 year demonstrated leadership or preceptor experience preferred. Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: --- Must be able to work with little supervision, be highly detail oriented, able to prioritize and get along well with others, and be able to perform under pressure. --- Manual dexterity is essential. --- Ability to accurately follow directions and perform specific functions. --- Ability to communicate effectively with hospitalized patients and outpatients. --- Ability to communicate effectively with hospital and lab staff. --- Knowledge of proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). --- May be exposed to potentially infectious diseases. --- Moderate physical effort. --- Maintains patient confidentiality. Responsibilities 1. Obtains routine and stat venous and arterial blood gases, trauma cases, and stat codes. 2. Obtains capillary blood specimens from inpatients/outpatients of all ages (including infants), employees, etc. as requested by authorized personnel (i.e. physicians, residents, employee health nurse, etc.) 3. Participates in the collection of special procedures (i.e. ISP, Drug Screens, EBT, Cultures, RSVs, Research Studies, Bone Marrow, Legal Blood Alcohol Collections, etc.). 4. Assists other phlebotomists with difficult draws, unable to obtain (UTO), informs floor of missed patients or patients not drawn for other reasons (i.e. patient out of room, receiving blood, etc.). 5. Maintains a specimen error rate of less than 1.2%, a blood culture contamination rate of less than 1.2%, and a UTO rate of less than 3%. 6. Maintains a cooperative relationship with other laboratory assistants, LSA's, laboratory staff, administrative personnel, etc. in order to maintain a high level of performance in patient care. 7. Accurately identify and obtain blood specimens from inpatients/outpatients of all ages, employees, etc. as requested by authorized personnel (i.e. physicians, residents, employee health nurse) using the correct technique and appropriate equipment. Verifies accuracy of computer generated orders. Resolves any discrepancies prior to drawing the patient. Ensure specimen integrity by adhering to appropriate laboratory collection protocols. (i.e. checking for IV's, fistulas, limb alert armbands, etc.). Initial, date, and record time blood was collected on all laboratory requisitions forms or specimens. 8. Assists with retrieving blood and other types of samples from the tube station, central collecting blood. 9. Monitor daily phlebotomy actions by the use of various computer programs and logs. (i.e. phlebotomy dispatch log and phlebotomy consolidation log, will call board, phlebotomy dashboard, etc.). 10. Maintains phlebotomy area and carts in a neat and clean manner, well stocked with supplies. 11. Must collect timed specimens within 30 minutes of requested time and stat specimens within 15 minutes of requested time. Communicates effectively with other hospital personnel regarding collection of timed specimens, stats, and specimens that are unable to be obtained from patients for any reason. 12. Carry and use a Vocera appropriately as well as carry a surgery phone, star 3 pager, or trauma pager. 13. Follows guidelines for sending specimens through the pneumatic tube station to ensure turnaround time requirements are met. 14. Maintains specimen tracking by correctly logging in all inpatients and floor samples with the correct time of specimen collection. 15. Participates in the orientation and/or training of personnel as directed by administrative staff, supervisor or other authorized personnel. 16. Maintains productivity at a rate comparable to other experienced staff (10-12 draws per hour). 17. Performs technical/non-technical procedures and other tasks as determined by the director, administrative staff, supervisor or other authorized personnel in order to maintain primary departmental functions. 18. Contributes to effective customer service relations by assisting patients, visitors, physicians to resolve expressed concerns and by demonstrating a welcoming and helpful attitude. 19. Process specimens for testing by technologists. This includes operation of centrifuges and delivery of samples to the automated lines and/or technical work stations. 20. Monitors Vocera use and tracks Vocera devices to ensure device availability to phlebotomists. Submits broken devices to Phlebotomy Supervisor, Manager or Director for repair or replacement. 21. Pull, review, and clear various department pending logs to ensure all patient samples/draws are accounted for. Communicates all pending draws and any other issues to the previous shift (or phlebotomy supervisor) when beginning work, and the next shift prior to leaving work. 22. Delegate/assign draws based on work flow, priority of draw, and staffing levels. Assures the timeliness of patient draws by investigating problems involving specimen collection. Promotes and monitors timely, cost effective use of all supplies used in the performance of phlebotomy within Memorial Medical Center. Assists in determining the amount of supplies to have on hand, participates in ordering supplies from the storeroom as needed, and organization of supplies. 23. Make/adjust floor assignments based on scheduling, last minute staffing changes, and work volume. Organize daily phlebotomy activities to achieve maximum efficiency and the most efficient turnaround time for all patient testing drawn within the medical center. Provide leadership, training, and guidance to all subordinate staff and assigned students in an authoritative yet personable manner. Monitors phlebotomy staff use of personal protective equipment and compliance will all safety policies and procedures. 24. Determine the workload of the department. Communicates staffing concerns with supervisor, including utilizing the on-call person or recommending if a mandatory stay over is needed. Assists the phlebotomy supervisor in coordinating breaks and lunches for staff to maintain work flow. Provides input to laboratory leadership team regarding staff performance. 25. Performs other related work as required or requested. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Keywords: Memorial Health, Springfield , Phlebotomist/Lab Assistant III, Healthcare , Springfield, Illinois