Phlebotomist Job Responsibilities:
Responsible for the accurate, timely performance of venipuncture and/or capillary specimen collection to obtain quality laboratory results. Screen and enter patient data into the Laboratory computer system and central computer systems. Serves patients by preparing specimens for laboratory testing; performing screening procedures.
Phlebotomists may collect blood and receive urine samples from patients, but may not choose which tests are to be performed nor perform any tests or procedures with these samples. Phlebotomists take or send specimens to the laboratories that will do all tests and other procedures, prepare and send a report of their findings to the authorized health care practitioner who will use them in rendering a diagnosis and recommending treatment.
Phlebotomist Job Duties:
Verifies test requisitions by comparing information with nursing station log; bringing discrepancies to the attention of unit personnel.
Verifies patient by reading patient identification.
Obtains blood specimens by performing venipunctures and fingersticks.
Maintains specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following department procedures; observing isolation procedures.
Collects therapeutic drug-monitoring assays by collaborating with nursing personnel to ensure appropriate drug dose to collection time.
Tracks collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection; maintaining daily tallies of collections performed.
Monitors glucose levels by performing bedside glucose tests; recording results; reporting results to unit nurse-manager.
Performs bleeding-times tests by entering results to the computer; notifying pathologist of results falling outside normal ranges.
Maintains quality results by following department procedures and testing schedule; recording results in the quality-control log; identifying and reporting needed changes.
Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
Resolves unusual test orders by contacting the physician, pathologist, nursing station, or reference laboratory; referring unresolved orders back to the originator for further clarification; notifying supervisor of unresolved orders.
Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
Serves and protects the hospital community by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and JC standards.
Enhances phlebotomy department and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
Daily Responsibilities
Collect timed specimens, being aware of the importance of timing in instances such as therapeutic drug levels, etc.: follow established guidelines for laboratory specimens
Initial, date, and record blood specimen tubes collected
Match all laboratory requisition forms and specimen tubes; properly complete laboratory accession record
Follow all laboratory safety rules
Order and process incoming supplies
Maintain phlebotomy area dean and stocked with supplies
Keep blood drawing trays neat, and clean
Perform other duties such as data collecting, filing, charging. aiding technologists, etc.
Report possible hazards to the Laboratory Supervisor
Responsible for understanding the intended purpose of blood drawing as explained during the certification process
Responsible for knowing where the Standard Operating Procedure Manual (SOPM) is kept and knowing its contents
Using properly the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): use of lab coats, gloves, or other PPE as required
Washing hands between patients
Identifying patients correctly by using at least two identifiers
Knowing principles of specimen collection regarding anatomic sites and proper disinfection of collection site
Using appropriate hypodermic needle gauge for blood drawing
Using appropriate tubes as needed for tests ordered, by selecting right color tops
Follow CLSI order of draw when filling tubes during drawing procedure
Using centrifuge as needed and keeping record of centrifuge calibration
Keeping log of patients with documented date and time of collection
Keeping specimens in refrigerators, freezers or at room T after time of collection before pick up for transportation to the testing laboratory, and keeps record of time of pick up
Ensuring that proper temperatures of refrigerators and freezers are maintained and record them in temperature charts. Ensure that temperatures are within the required (acceptable) ranges
Adherence to safety procedures during and after performance of procedure; that includes proper disposal of waste and sharps.
Decontamination of surfaces with proper documentation and solutions
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of various techniques in collecting specimens.
Skill in determining most appropriate site to obtain specimens.
Skill in filing.
Skill in both verbal and written communication.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Also: Analyzing Information , Infection Control, Bedside Manner, Attention to Detail, Lab Environment, Procedural Skills, Quality Focus, Hospital Environment, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment, Performing Diagnostic Procedures, Informing Others
Minimum Qualifications:
One (1) year experience in drawing blood specimens; OR, Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Phlebotomist Skills and Qualifications:
Analyzing Information , Infection Control, Bedside Manner, Attention to Detail, Lab Environment, Procedural Skills, Quality Focus, Hospital Environment, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment, Performing Diagnostic Procedures, Informing Others