Laboratory Support Specialist Certified

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for providing quality, customer-oriented laboratory services including registration, specimen collection, specimen processing, and other related duties. Performs venipuncture on patients. Maintains necessary equipment and supplies. Communicates effectively to all levels of laboratory staff and external contacts, and acts as a resource for phlebotomy technicians.

Position: Phlebotomy Technician II

Department: Phlebotomy Inpatient

Schedule: Full-Time (Tuesday-Saturday, Overnights, Rotating Holidays)

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Performs venipunctures according to laboratory policies and procedures including the collection of timed specimens, blood cultures, pediatric and neonatal specimens.

• Positively identifies all patients according to laboratory policies and procedures. Verifies identification of specimens and labels specimens according to laboratory policies and procedures.

• Receives and prepares laboratory specimens prior to laboratory analysis and testing, including study specimens, random and 24 hour urines, and send-out specimens.

• Centrifuges and aliquots specimens, and follows all special handling instructions according to laboratory policies and procedures.

• Optimizes the routing of specimens and work benches, prioritizing stat and routine specimens. Routes and distributes specimens to appropriate lab sections within specific time frames. Assists in the pickup and delivery of specimens as needed.

• Prepares all workstations with essential supplies.

• Monitors and records daily temperatures and performs scheduled maintenance of equipment as needed.

• Completes all appropriate logs for documentation and troubleshooting, and communicates to supervisor.

• Utilizes technical training and acquires in-depth knowledge of the LIS and its functions.

• Performs order/entry, inquiry, crediting, and other basic LIS functions in the laboratory information system according to policies and procedures.

• Performs patient registration functions in EPIC registration system, including patient demographic updates, insurance validation and eligibility checks, and assigning of medical record numbers.

• Answers the telephone and pager according to department policy and procedure.

• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.

• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the department and the hospital's mission and goals.

• Manages time appropriately and meets BMC standards for attendance and punctuality.

• Attends department meetings, delivers reports in a timely fashion and documents activities related to quality improvement as assigned.

• Assists in training new lab support technicians and phlebotomy students.

• Completes all laboratory and hospital safety, compliance, and competency training as assigned. Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

• Performs special procedures as requested by supervisors, assistants, and specialists.

• Works with the technical and assistant supervisors to update inventories, orders, and maintain supplies as needed

• Assists supervisors with writing training programs, standard operating procedures, and establishing competencies. Assists in training new phlebotomists and phlebotomy students.

• Participates in quality improvement (QI) activities according to Laboratory policies and procedures. Offers input for performance improvement and participates in validating the effectiveness of implemented solutions.

• Recognizes and resolves technical and non-technical problems in the laboratory. Anticipates problems to circumvent customer dissatisfaction. Obtains help in problem-resolution as appropriate. Records information on the problem log and reports all issues to supervisory staff.

• Adapts to changes in the departmental needs including, but not limited to, offering assistance to other team members, adjusting assignments, and fostering teamwork.

• Performs special procedures as requested by supervisors, assistants, and specialists.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or GED.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Phlebotomy Certification or seven years of experience is required.

EXPERIENCE:

One year of Phlebotomy, and/or specimen processing experience required as applicable.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) and interpersonal skills are required to communicate effectively with internal and external contacts in a courteous and customer service manner.

• Demonstrates technical competency using hospital computer systems such as Microsoft Office, patient registration systems (e.g. EPIC), and Laboratory Information Systems (e.g. Sunquest).

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills; strong attention to detail, organizational ability and follow-through.

• Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality of all personal/health sensitive information

• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations and to balance multiple priorities.