Phlebotomy Specialist

Job Description Summary

Primarily functions as Outreach Mobile Phlebotomist. Able to perform waived technical testing (as required) in areas including SSMC Laboratory and off-site services.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1 - Performs phlebotomy (venipuncture, fingerstick, and heelstick) according to established procedure of South Shore Hospital.

a)  Responsible for training all interns and colleagues and verifying ongoing competency

b) Performs venipuncture using correct technique and with minimal discomfort to the patient.

c) Performs fingerstick procedures with correct technique and when unable to obtain specimen by venipuncture.

d) Performs heelstick on babies with correct technique.

e) Active knowledge of collection of Newborn screen heel stick.

2 - Identifies patients and properly labels specimen tubes.

a) Identifies patient by verifying (at least) 2 unique identifiers

b) Labels all specimen tubes following established procedure:

c) All label printing and application to tubes is to be done with patient present

d) Demonstrates knowledge of special procedures i.e. Lactic Acid, Genetic testing, and specialty lab requests etc.

e) Maintains current knowledge of methods for blood, urine, stool, fluid and culture collections and explains specimen collection protocols to patients, nurses and physicians as required.

f) Evaluation of technique by direct observation.

g) Demonstrates proper technique to provide standard of care. This includes selecting the appropriate equipment prior to collection; i.e. tubes, supplies, verifying orders, proper patient preparation (site selection, order of draw), proper technique, following standard precautions and proper disposal of supplies according to facility policy.

3 - Determines priority of STAT draws.  Ensures timely transport of all patient specimens to lab for testing.

a) Prioritizes STAT requests.  Draws STATs within 10-15 minutes of request.

b) Ensures that STATs are allocated to appropriate testing location

c) Arrange STAT courier service (where applicable)

4 - Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection
a) Responsible for training and on-going competency related to procedure
b) Active knowledge of collection procedure for infant and adult patients
c) Appropriate patient instruction and description of procedure
d) Appropriate selection of media and exhibits solid exhibition of collection.
e) Pertussis collection- appropriate collection and completion of state paperwork.
 

5 - Covid, FLU and Strep Collection
a) Responsible for training and ongoing competency
b) Appropriate patient identification and instruction.
c) Appropriately selects media needed for collection.
d) Performs collection consistent with standardized procedure
 

6 - EKG: Performance of Electrocardiograms
a) Responsible for training colleagues in all facets of EKG’s
b) Consistently adheres to the established protocol for patient identification using two patient identifiers when performing EKG function.
c) Enter all patient demographics into EKG cart.
d) Introduce self, explain procedure to patient, check patient ID.
e) Apply 4 limb leads and 6 precordial leads according to standardized placement.
f) Collect 12 seconds of data and insure that tracing is complete and good quality.
g) Print EKG; verifying transmission
h) Determine necessity to deliver based on established critical action values
 

7 - Mobile Holter Monitors
a) Responsible for the education of colleagues in setup and retrieval of data
b) Initialize data into Holter Software system.
c) Perform appropriate patient identification, explain procedure.
d) Apply leads consistent with standardized placement- verify tracing quality.
e) Upon patient return, remove leads, collect diary.
f) Upload and transmit data into Holter Software system.

8 - Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitors
a) Responsible for the training of colleagues in setup, retrieval of data and, any troubleshooting
b) Initialize data into Welch-Allyn monitor software.
c) Appropriate patient identification, explanation of procedure.
d) Appropriate fitment of blood pressure cuff and perform test measurement.
e) Upon return remove monitor, collect diary.
f) Upload data into Welch-Allyn software
g) Able to troubleshoot, problem solve
 

9 - Readily accepts changes in assignment.  Performs work level of equal skill and responsibility as needed. May be required to do work of lesser responsibility when the workload of the department so requires.

10 - Is responsible for the daily cleaning of equipment and maintaining neatness throughout the department.

11 - Follows all organizational and department or unit policies and procedures.

12 - Will function as a receptionist, greet patients, and answer phones  
a) Responsible for the training and on-going competency of all colleagues in all facets related to data entry, lab order handling and patient reception
b) Is courteous and friendly to patients.
c) Answers phones in a prompt and courteous manner and by stating name and department.
d) Determine orders that need to be collected based on established criteria.
e) Place external/outside orders, verifying appropriate diagnosis code, patient information, provider signature.
f) Identifies patients by unique identifiers.

13.    Primary responsibility; training of new employees and student interns at SSMC   in the performance of phlebotomy duties.
a) Directly responsible for the training of new employees under guidance of Supervisor
b) Responsible in training of departmental procedures.
c) Acts as a resource to new employees.
d) Technologically able to setup new colleague's user settings
e) Performs semi and annual competencies
f) Maintains documentation related to training and competencies

14 - Helps co-workers when needed and communicates with laboratory departments when needed to ensure an orderly workflow.
a) Assists co-workers with blood-drawing procedures utilizing educational measures to ensure learning experiences
b) Informs Supervisor of problems in obtaining specimens for any reason.

15 - Maintain offsite logs
a) Accurately documents refrigerator/freezer/room temps
b) Notifies supervisor of temperature deviations
c) Accurately and consistently documents/maintains shift report/task schedule

16 - Electronic proficiency
a) Performs order entry with no errors.
b) Able to navigate through various software platforms 
c) Scans documents to medical records verifying unique patient identifiers.
d) Is receptive to technological solutions to work processes and practices.

17 - Specimen Processing
a) Appropriately identifies special processing needs
b) Creates packing lists destination appropriate
c)  Follows all infection and exposure control guidelines, minimizing risk
d)  Appropriate maintenance / lubricating of centrifuge carriers
e) Commnication with other sites/ couriers to facilitate testing in a timely manner
f) Demonstrates organizational skills by prioritizing collection requests and reconciling the pending list and properly processing STAT specimens.

18 - Quality Assurance
 a) Under the guidance of Supervisor, performs monthly QM 
 b) Reports issues to Supervisor
 c) Re-educates colleagues when issues identified

19 - Performs Waived Point of Care (POC) testing

a)  Performs QC based on established protocols
b)  Able to perform testing for urine dip and urine HCG
c)  Maintain logs related to testing 

20 - Safety Awareness – Fosters a “Culture of Safety” through personal ownership and commitment to a safe environment as stated in the Safety Management Program Manual, Infection Control Manual and Phlebotomy Policies & Procedure Manual. The employee can identify the Hospital Safety Officer.
a) Consistently adheres to established Laboratory and Hospital policies for Universal Precautions and Safety Procedures.
b) When handling blood/and or body fluids, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be utilized in order to minimize exposure to infectious diseases.
c) Disinfects & cleans work area at the beginning and end of each shift and, as needed throughout shift
d) Knows where to find Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for any item used in job performance.
e) Able to communicate knowledge regarding rapid response, fire safety and established codes
 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education - Preferred

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Minimum Work Experience

Minimum 2 years phlebotomy exp. (1 year minimum with South Shore Health lab)  

Required additional Knowledge and Abilities

Phlebotomy certification preferred.

Completion of accredited phlebotomy training program preferred.