Phlebotomist

Job Summary

The Phlebotomist is a professional multi-skilled person dedicated to assisting in all aspects of medical practice under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician. This practitioner assists with patient care management and executes administrative and clinical procedures. Competence in the field also requires that a medical assistant adhere to ethical and legal standards of professional practice, recognize and respond to emergencies and demonstrate professional characteristics.

Clinical Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities working as a Phlebotomist

• Preparing patients for the provider's care
• Performing venipunctures and non-intravenous injections

o Performs laboratory blood draws as ordered by the medical provider

o Collecting routine laboratory specimen as directed

o Performs required laboratory quality controls

o Utilizes third-party laboratory vendor provided computer systems to route lab specimens to appropriate vendor for analysis

o Performing basic laboratory procedures

• Observing and reporting patients? signs and symptoms
• Administering basic first aid
• Operating office medical equipment
• Assisting in emergencies as needed

Additional Position Expectations and Responsibilities

• Act as a contact for the providers and support staff in trouble shooting issues
• Ensure patients are properly check-in for laboratory visits via Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
• Ensure patients are properly checked-out after every laboratory visit and depart with required paperwork
• Perform blood draws into appropriate containers and label them according to protocol
• Expected to have knowledge of standard (universal) precautions
• Prepare patient specimen(s) for testing by use of centrifugation and enter information into computer system for proper packaging and pick-up
• Adhere to all laboratory protocols for quality control and maintenance
• Expected to complete 48-hour chart check to ensure lab orders are in the system ready for patient appointment

Phlebotomist

• Expected to complete chart review to ensure all laboratory results have been received in a timely manner
• Expected to answer phones, check and returns voicemail messages in a timely manner
• Expected to respond to all correspondence and tasks (via letter, email, fax) in a timely manner
• Performs in-house labs as ordered by the medical provider and records the results in patient?s Electronic Medical Record
• Performs required laboratory quality controls,
• Utilizes third-party laboratory vendor provided computer systems to route lab specimens to appropriate vendor for analysis
• Expected to be able to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos
• Expected to be proficient in all computer software utilized for patient care
• Expected to participate as part of a multi-disciplinary team, under the direction of the Laboratory Manager, and within the scope of practice to provide patient care and other patient need in a safe, timely manner
• Expected to complete all necessary documentation, department logs and reports
• Expected to keep laboratory clean, restock as needed, and assist with ordering supplies
• Expected to communicate effectively with all members of the patient care team
• Other duties as assigned

If a licensed physician is not on-site, a phlebotomist is prohibited from performing the following:

• Nursing activities that include the use of the nursing process and require the special knowledge, nursing judgment or skills of a registered or practical nurse, including:

o The initial nursing assessment or any subsequent assessments

o Prohibited from completing Review of Systems in the EMR

o Prohibited from performing injections (medication and/or vaccines)

o Prohibited from administering medication(s)

o Prohibited from performing aseptic procedures including wound care, dressing changes, etc.

o The determination of the nursing diagnosis or interpretations of nursing assessments

o Establishment of the nursing care goals and development of the plan of care

o Evaluation of progress in relationship to the plan of care

• Those activities for which the unlicensed assistive personnel has not demonstrated competence

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required
• Completion of Medical Assistant training is required
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate is required
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills
• Computer knowledge

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of related work experience
• Certification by the American Association of Medical Assistants
• Registered by the American Medical Technologists
• Phlebotomy Certification
• Bilingual (English-Spanish or English-Haitian Creole) a plus

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk or view a computer screen for extended periods of time
• Ability to use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Ability to reach with hands or arms
• Ability to perform repetitive hand and wrist motions for extended periods of time
• Ability to effectively talk and listen to patients

Relationship Reporting

• Reports to the Clinical Manager/Lead