Phlebotomist/Lab Assistant

• Performs a variety of routine and complex blood drawing procedures including but not limited to venipuncture, finger and heel sticks, and blood cultures.

• Ensure quality by verifying patient identification and specimen labeling.

• Maintains appropriate response times to stat and timed orders.

• Serves as part of the trauma and code response teams.

• Participates in committee work, as needed.

• Perform inventory and audits, as directed.

• The Hospital Phlebotomy team services the patients at Carle Foundation Hospital. This team serves patients from newborn to geriatric in the Emergency Department and all inpatient and outpatient areas of the hospital. The Hospital Phlebotomy team works closely with a variety of healthcare professionals to collect blood specimens for diagnostic testing. The Hospital Phlebotomy team collects blood from approximately 400 patients each 24-hour period. Hospital Phlebotomists work every other weekend and 3-4 holidays per year and cover 1-2 call shifts each week.

• Patients and specimens are identified using two identifiers: Name/Date of Birth or Name/Medical Record Number.

• Venipunctures are performed using a vacutainer needle and hub, a hypodermic needle with syringe, or a butterfly needle system. Complex blood drawing procedures include a variety of specialized blood collection kits for commercial laboratories and/or research. Blood cultures collected at Carle require Chloroprep skin decontamination at the draw site and vary from collection of a simple tube collection for Acid Fast or Fungal cultures, a set of Bactec blood culture bottles, or involve nurse coordination for a single or multiple-lumen port collection.

• The inpatient and Emergency Department expectations for response times are that STAT tests will be collected within 15 minutes of order and TIMED tests will be collected within a 30 minute window of time around the specified collection time (up to 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after the time indicated).

• Phlebotomists collect initial blood specimens for all patients classified as a Trauma.

• Successfully participates in all accreditation and other proficiency testing and annual performance competencies in each of the clinical laboratory testing areas. Participates in re-education or re-training as needed to ensure successful completion of all Proficiency and competency testing.

• Follows and maintains familiarity with laboratory and organizational policies and procedures. Reviews and records documentation of review as required.

• Complete Continuing Education as required by Lab policy and to maintain certification if applicable.

• Communicates information with internal and external customers as appropriate in an accurate, timely, effective and professional manner.

• Phlebotomists must demonstrate the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

The Lab Phlebotomist - Hospital performs venipuncture and skin puncture in the hospital setting. Demonstrates excellent communication and patient care skills.