Phlebotomist - Temporary in CHEROKEE, North Carolina at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority

Primary Function

Collects blood samples from pediatric and adult patients for laboratory testing. Also receives blood samples, other blood/body fluids, and samples from locations outside Cherokee Indian Hospital for laboratory processing and testing.

Job requires Age Specific Competencies

Job Description

• May be necessary to work when Administrative leave is granted if patient care would be compromised.
• Must be able to collect blood samples and urine samples from pediatric and adult patients for laboratory testing.
• Performs waived testing procedures.
• Performs therapeutic phlebotomy as requested by the ordering physician.
• Receives and organizes other blood/body fluids from outside locations for laboratory processing and testing.
• Receives and organizes requests for blood collection from Inpatient, Primary Care, Emergency Rooms as well as outside requests.
• Accessions and labels specimens that come from outside clinics.
• Distributes blood/body fluids to proper laboratory section after collection.
• Gathers supplies and equipment necessary for collection of blood samples.
• Keep blood collection area and phlebotomy trays clean and restocked.
• Records and maintains phlebotomy log-sheet each day of collection. Also prepares monthly workload reports in phlebotomy area.
• Maintains confidentiality of reports/patient information and provides careful and respectful treatment to all patients and staff members.
• Uses safe work practices that include maintaining a clean workplace, following all established policies and procedures for safety and infection control, following universal blood/body fluid precautions, and reporting accidents/incidents promptly.
• Organizes and prioritizes work efficiently to maintain a high level of productivity without sacrificing quality.
• Collects data, organizes and prepares reports as required to fulfill compliance requirements by CAP, JCAHO or any other agency as required. Will also meet all competency requirements, including age specific competencies as mandated by accreditation organizations.
• Assists the laboratory with maintaining CAP/JCAHO accreditation by compliance with standards as mandated by the accrediting organizations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• Requires a diploma or certificate of completion from a phlebotomy program.
• Certification in phlebotomy (ASCP) or other equivalent body, or applicant must obtain certification within 12 months of hire date.
• Student(s) enrolled in a phlebotomy program during their clinical rotation at the CIHA laboratory would be eligible for hire prior to graduation. A high school diploma or equivalent is required along with records of training to perform phlebotomy procedures. Failure to graduate at specified date, if hired, would be grounds for termination.

Job Knowledge

• Demonstrates knowledge of medical laboratory operations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of phlebotomy procedures and techniques.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in obtaining blood specimens from patients under a variety of conditions.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in correctly identifying patients prior to collection of blood specimens.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in accurately recording information concerning blood/body fluid specimens
• Demonstrates skill in understanding and following written and oral instructions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory procedures and documentation required by certifying/accrediting agencies.
• Demonstrates skill in understanding and maintaining effective working relationships with hospital patients, employees, physicians, and the general public.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill sufficient to provide clinical assistance and training to extern students relative to the basic principles and practices in phlebotomy.
• Knowledge of Privacy Act regulations governing the confidential safeguarding and dissemination of medical information/records.

Complexity of Duties

Duties are primarily standard, require coordinating several activities at one time, and demand the use of problem-solving skills and analysis of circumstances to develop appropriate actions. Is subject to frequent interruptions, in person and by phone, which require varied response.

Supervision Received

Incumbent works under the guidance of the Laboratory Supervisor/Manager. The ability to plan and work independently is required.

Responsibility for Accuracy

The incumbent is responsible for all specimen collection activities bearing his/her signature (may be electronic). The effective diagnosis and treatment of patients is dependent upon the accuracy and reliability of the incumbent’s specimen collection efforts. A mislabeled or incorrectly identified specimen has the potential to create a patient fatality, e.g., mistyped ABO blood transfusion. Follows well defined procedures and guidelines in job duties with minimal supervision. Must communicate and respond appropriately to various situations when performing job duties. Judgment and initiative are required to maintain accuracy, efficiency, and to be able to prioritize work.

Contacts with Others

Various laboratory collection procedures will require direct personal contact with patients requiring laboratory tests. Additional contacts may be with Nursing, Medical staff, support personnel, and administrative personnel within the Cherokee Indian Hospital. Additional contacts will be primarily by telephone.

Contact with the patient is required to accomplish specimen collection procedures or include instructions on how to collect other specimens and will require courtesy, tact, and diplomacy.

Confidential Data

Must maintain complete confidentiality of all administrative, medical, and personnel records, and all other pertinent information that comes to his/her attention or knowledge. Must adhere to all tribal confidentiality policies and procedures. Violations of such confidentiality shall be cause for disciplinary action and may lead to involuntary termination.

Mental/Visual/Physical

The position requires a high degree of concentration and mental effort due to the accuracy required when obtaining patient specimens. The incumbent will be required to collect patient specimens from multiple patients and areas throughout the shift. The incumbent will be working with and around sick or hurt patients, which requires mental effort in emergency laboratory procedures which have to take precedence over his/her feelings. The incumbent is required to perform phlebotomy and capillary procedures that cause pain and are not always successful. The incumbent must be able to succeed at acquiring the needed specimens while maintaining a professional and comforting composure with the patient in spite of failed attempts.

The position requires good visual acuity and be able to decipher physician orders, interpret lab collection procedures, and maintain a phlebotomy log sheet.

Incumbent must be able to stand and walk for several hours at a time in all areas of the laboratory and hospital. Incumbent must have good manual dexterity, visual acuity, and physical coordination. Incumbent must occasionally assist patients in the bathroom requiring and may require physical effort. Incumbent will have to carry laboratory supplies, papers, manuals, and small instruments. May occasionally move more than 15 pounds.

Environment

The laboratory environment carries risks and discomforts that require special safety precautions. In addition, the laboratory environment is a high-risk area for HIV and Hepatitis exposure. Work performance also involves risks of exposure to contagious diseases, carcinogenic materials, and caustic reagents. Full and appropriate safety precautions must be worn and used. The incumbent is required to wear a laboratory coat, gloves when performing phlebotomy or capillary puncture, or handling blood and body fluids, and observe sterile techniques in microbiology. If splashes are anticipated, protective eyewear must be worn. The incumbent must utilize good hand-washing practices to maintain health. The incumbent must participate in the Employee Health Program to aide in preventing work related injury or contagion. All Infection Control policies must be followed.

The laboratory has a higher-than-normal amount of noise pollution due to the number of analyzers, centrifuges, refrigerators, and freezers that are running continuously.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.