Pediatric Outpatient Phlebotomist

Department Overview

The Pediatric Phlebotomy Laboratory at Doernbecher Children¿s Hospital provides compassionate and efficient care to individuals, families, communities, and patient populations. Positioned as a walk-in service that operates Monday through Friday, the phlebotomy lab can service between 50-70 patients daily.

 

The phlebotomist in this position collects blood, urine, stool, and sputum specimens from pediatric patients in an ambulatory setting, as ordered by healthcare providers, for use in performing diagnostic or prognostic tests and provides related clerical, transporting, and non-technical support to the laboratory.

Function/Duties of Position

Specimen Collection

• Uses Hospital/Laboratory Information System(s) to access orders and check for completeness and accuracy of orders
• Determines the proper method to collect specimen(s) based on tests to be performed and selects correct tubes, needles or other necessary supplies to collect specimen(s)
• Locates patient and verifies patient identification using at least two patient identifiers
• Prepares collection site
• Utilizes a variety of techniques to collect blood specimens from patient by venipuncture, finger stick, or heel stick and/or instructs patient on the proper collection for urine, stool or sputum; checks condition of patient for fainting or bleeding
• Bandages venipuncture site
• Labels all specimen(s) with correct labels and prepares specimen(s) for delivery to appropriate laboratory
• Enters collection information (time, date, collector, and method of collection) into Laboratory Information System, and defers and/or cancels uncollected specimen requests

Clerical and Customer Service Responsibilities

• Greets patients
• Reviews and reconciles orders for patient encounter
• Enters off-hill orders
• Telephones physicians and clinics to clarify orders and arrange specimen re-draws
• Answers telephones and provides information to callers
• Interacts with laboratories, medical staff, and patients to resolve problems associated with specimen collection
• Maintains customer service focus at all times
• Endeavors to make patients comfortable
• Meets needs of patients, even if extra effort is required
• Communicates professionally by phone and in person, with patients, nurses, providers, and staff

Training Duties

• Provides instruction to new employees, hospital staff, and students/externs on correct techniques for collecting specimens from patients; observes, monitors, and evaluates trainees’ progres

Specimen Transport

• Prepares specimens for transportation to and from laboratory sites
• Maintains specimen integrity by storing and transporting appropriatel

Miscellaneous Tasks

• Ensures adequate supply levels
• Discards expired supplies
• Maintains cleanliness in area where specimen(s) are collected
• Utilizes safety protection equipment and disposes of used supplies in correct containers
• Observes safety and infection control policies
• May order stocks and supplies for work area
• Participates in unit meetings and training programs
• Other duties as assigned by manager

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent AND
  • Completion of phlebotomy training program including significant time spent in a clinical rotation (2-3 weeks)  OR
  • 3 months of recent (in the last 12 months) phlebotomy experience in a clinical laboratory
  • OR Alternative qualification without completion of phlebotomy training program: One year of college level psychology, communications, or science course work plus 1 year of dedicated phlebotomy experience/training in a clinical laboratory
  • Certification as ASCP (PBT), NHA (CPT), RPT (AMT), NCPT (NCCT) or equivalent required, or must be completed in the first year of employment
• Strong ability to work in a team
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Demonstrated problem solving skills
• Demonstrated communication skills both interpersonal and conflict resolution including fluency in oral and written English
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary setting
• Intermediate computer skills including the ability to send/receive email, navigate information technology associated with the position, and use the Electronic Health Record information and tools.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications