POSITION SUMMARY

The Phlebotomist is responsible for performing venipunctures and skin punctures competently and expediently. Has

thorough knowledge of test requirements. Assists with secretarial and clerical duties. Assist in Clinical laboratory

as needed. Responsibilities include collecting blood cultures, and blood samples. Maintains Clinical Laboratory

Inventory. Provides direct care to patients of all ages. Performs all job functions in accordance with Glen Rose

Medical Center’s Policies and Procedures and Vision/Mission Statement. The phlebotomist reports directly to the

Laboratory Director or Assistant Laboratory Director.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Educational/Certification/Training:

• High School graduate or equivalent (GED) is required.

• Documented training and competencies for the areas assisting within the laboratory

(may be obtained on the job)

• Medical Assistant or Phlebotomy certification is preferred.

• Skills: Basic computer knowledge; proficiency in use of laboratory equipment.

• CPR Certified (may be obtained on the job)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The minimum requirements of this position require the individual to:

• Maintain good general health and stress coping ability.

• Full mobility and able to stand for prolonged periods of time.

• Requires bending and lifting.

• Ability to speak and hear to allow discussions with patients and peers.

• Possess near vision acuity for accurate reading of equipment and recording information.

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Essential Functions

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be

made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must possess the ability and knowledge to work in all areas of the laboratory including but not limited to

Phlebotomy.

Environment of Care:

• Adhere to safety and infections control guidelines.

Performance Improvement:

• Participate in performance improvement plans.

• Maintain established departmental policies and procedures

• Be knowledgeable of current National Patient Safety Goals

Customer Service:

• Give 100% of your attention to the customer’s needs and respond intelligently, politely, and appropriately.

• Work together with all departments to support every employee and physician

• Report complaints from visitors, patients, or physicians

• Demonstrate ethical and appropriate behavior for a clinical environment to include but not limited to,

dignity, patients right and privacy, and the maintenance of confidentiality of patient information.

• Demonstrate proper telephone etiquette.

Professionalism/Attendance:

• Report on time to duty station as scheduled.

• Notify supervisor of requested time off in writing and in a timely manner

• Display a high degree of honesty and integrity

• Interrelate with co-workers in a constructive, professional manner

• Communicate and Interact in an appropriate manner with peers, other than and including health care team

members, patients, physicians and visitors

• Follow instruction and accept professional constructive criticism regarding work

• Adhere to personnel and administrative policies

• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean

• Familiar with mission statement of Glen Rose Medical Center.

• Inspire confidence from caller, visitors, co-workers by remaining well informed and prepared at all times.

• Participate in continuing education to remain current with changing technology, improve skills, and

maintain certification

• Demonstrate an ability to identify and resolve problems, uses initiative and good judgment to reach quality

decisions.

Legal Compliance:

• Familiar with GRMC’s legal compliance program.

• Compliant with State and Federal Laws/Regulations.

• Ensures compliance with TJC and CLIA

• Maintain confidentiality when questioned by unauthorized individuals

• Maintain interpersonal and inter-operational confidentiality

Non-Patient Care Responsibilities:

• Wear hospital identification while on duty

• Uses computerized time system correctly

• Document correct patient information for billing.

• Accession test requests in an accurate and timely manner.

• Retrieve information as requested.

• Call, fax, and/or mail reports to attending physician or patient care unit as needed, in a timely manner.

• Answer question when possible and refer questions when necessary to the appropriate staff member.

• Take and delivers messages accurately.

• Files requisitions and lab reports without errors.

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• Process specimens for transport to other testing facilities

• Complete reference lab requisitions appropriately, completely, and legibly.

• Assure receipt of all reports from reference lab.

• Prepare reagents and documents preparation.

• Operate equipment safely and correctly.

• Perform and document instrument equipment maintenance including daily start up and shutdown

• Calibrate and performs function checks of instruments, equipment, and reagents.

• Perform quality control following departmental procedures and document accurately

• Troubleshoot problems with tests, reagents, quality control and equipment

• Documents problems and remedial action

• Train new employees and students

• Demonstrate and observe technique for new employees and students to assure competency

• Participate in rotation of evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and/or call as needed

• Review policies and procedures for current validity and revises as needed.

• Develop and write procedures for new assays

• Review quality control and maintenance log for problems, completeness, and ensure performance as

appropriate

• Pay attention to detail to ensure tasks are thoroughly and accurately completed

• Use time productively. Between tests or other duties, uses initiative in finding additional tasks that need to

be performed or assisting others (office work, performing general household duties, putting away supplies

or performing other duties) to departmental advantage

• Be able to work assigned area with no direct supervision

• Keep work area clean, organized and stocked

• Responsible for maintaining inventory of supplies needed for tests performed

• Receive and store supplies

• Proactively seek more efficient, cost-effective service. Submit suggestions to improve the Clinical Lab

efficiency and/or cost effectiveness.

• Attends laboratory staff meetings regularly. Reads staff meeting minutes when unable to attend.

• Perform correlation, validation, and linearity studies as needed

• Maintain and update all files as needed. Keeps files in an accurate and orderly condition

• Perform specific responsibilities and/or special projects as assigned by leadership

Patient Care Responsibilities:

• Prioritize work to achieve maximum efficiency; can adjust schedule in view of STAT orders, outpatients,

admissions, etc. Obtains timed specimens within 10 minutes of scheduled time

• Interpret and clarifies test requests

• Identify the patient by their name and date of birth (at least 2 patient identifiers).

o Outpatient: Asks patient for information. If patient is unable to provide proper information,

identification is obtained from a parent, guardian, spouse or other reasonable adult

o Inpatient: Check information on wristband or obtains information as with outpatients.

o Compare the information with that on the requisition

o When identification does not match or doubt exists, seeks clarification from the nursing staff

• Provide necessary and appropriate information to patients using age appropriate skills concerning and prior

to procedures in order to lessen anxieties.

o Provide outpatient instructions for collection of specimens.

o Assess patient for understanding

• Collect specimens for forensic drug screens and accurately completes chain-of-custody requisition

• Collects specimens competently and expediently with as little patient discomfort as possible

• Complete routine blood samples within 5 minutes and difficult cases in 15minutes

• Use safety equipment appropriately (gloves, safety needle guards, etc.).

• Wash or cleans hands with authorized disinfectant before and between patients.

• Wear clean gloves for every patient.

• Dispose of used needles in suitable sharps containers

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• Select appropriate site for collections. Avoid drawing above an IV, on the side of a mastectomy, through

burns, scars, edema, massive bruising, etc.

• Perform ankle or foot draws as a last resort with permission from the physician

• Choose most cost-effective method when possible

o Demonstrate knowledge of when it is appropriate to utilize syringe or butterfly.

• Demonstrate ability to select appropriate equipment/technique for age-specific blood collection (patient

age, skin care, venous access, required volume of blood)

• Demonstrate proper blood collection

o Prepare the site according to tests ordered

o Apply tourniquet 3-4 inches above site and never leaves it on for longer than 1 minute.

o Cleanse site with alcohol with a circular motion and allows it to dry before performing

venipuncture.

o Immobilize the arm appropriately.

o Make use of hand warming or heel warming technique for capillary punctures as necessary

o Competently collect specimens with as little patient discomfort as possible.

o Use 30-40 degree angle of needle insertion and inserts needle with a clean single stick.

o Asks for help after two unsuccessful attempts.

o Collect appropriate specimens for tests.

o Use correct order of draw.

o Fill tubes to appropriate level and inverts gently 8 times

o Remove tourniquet before withdrawing needle from puncture site.

o Apply direct pressure following removal of needle.

o Apply pressure bandage to site.

o Avoid use of band aids on children under 3 years old. If band aid is applied, educates parents on

potential risk of aspiration.

o Label the specimen immediately after collection with two patient identifiers, date and time of

collection, and initial prior to leaving the patient’s room or the patient leaving

o Verifies the name on the tube or specimen with requisition

• Maintain a safe environment for patients (bed rails left in “up” position and locked, no small or sharp

objects or other equipment within reach of small children or dementia patients, etc.)

• Remove all phlebotomy equipment from area when complete.

• Verify the name on the specimen matches in the LIS and on label

• Process and handle specimens appropriately for all age patients

• Always verify that the proper specimen is being analyzed for the indicated test procedure

• Alert coworkers of priority of tests if not the one processing the sample

• Accurately perform test analysis according to established policies and procedures

• Report and document test results appropriately

• Complete procedures scheduled during shift without sacrificing quality of work; leaves minimal amount for

next shift.

• Follow through with any incomplete procedures to ensure continuity of care

• Notify patient care unit or physician of all critical test values; document panic/critical values are read back

• Review reports, requisitions, and other records. Investigate discrepancies or other abnormal or unusual

situations. Make corrections when necessary.

• Documents corrected reports and other problems

Infection Control:

• Demonstrate personal adherence to infection control policies

• Demonstrate correct hand washing technique

• Demonstrate personal knowledge of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and uses it in practice

• Notify the Infection Control Practitioner of real or potential exposures

• Demonstrate knowledge of the organization’s Hazardous Waste Management Plan