Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Phlebotomist
A Phlebotomist is a medical professional who performs phlebotomy and other lab specimen collections. Thy collect blood specimens from patient veins and fingers and assist with general clinical duties. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Phlebotomists.
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Main Responsibilities of Phlebotomist
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Phlebotomist:
Access
Access and manage the QA of lab processes.
Access information in computer, register patients, order tests and perform charting functions.
Access to smart phone, scanner, and printer to receive orders and print documents.
Adhere to
Adhere to all laboratory policies and regulations.
Adhere to expectations of required / mandatory in services and certifications.
Adhere to laboratory instructions for specimen collection, storage, and transport.
Adhere to organization and governmental standards, rules and regulations.
Administer
Administer injections to include immunizations.
Administer medications or provide medication management as needed.
Administer oral solutions according to established training.
Answer
Answer phones in a timely manner following company standards on proper phone etiquette.
Answer telephone and prioritizes requests using NM telephone etiquette.
Answer telephones when needed, using NM telephone etiquette.
Apply
Apply splints and dressings as ordered.
Approve
Approve time in attendance software by noon on the Monday following the end of the pay period.
Assemble
Assemble and prepare supplies, equipment and associated documentation at work location.
Assess
Assess quality, price and sources different suppliers when available.
Assist in / Assist with
Assist Analytical Quality Technicians and Analysts as needed.
Assist customers with LIS Information.
Assist in educational development of staff.
Assist in set up and maintenance of laboratory.
Assist in set-up and tear down of equipment and supplies.
Assist in the completion of annual competencies for work unit.
Assist in the orientation of new employees as assigned.
Assist in the orientation of new employees as required.
Assist in the processing of courier specimens in computer including Pathology specimens.
Assist patients to complete all necessary forms and documentation including medical insurance.
Assist the Customer Service Manager and Customer Service area with projects.
Assist the Lab Support Services Supervisor in the central processing and phlebotomy areas.
Assist the Medical Assistants with preparing and stocking exam / treatment rooms during down time.
Assist with compilation of monthly statistics and data.
Assist with general clinic duties.
Assist with the orientation and training of new lab techs or coordinators.
Assist with the preparation of schedules for the assigned work group or PSCs.
Assume
Assume an active role in patient flow activities within the clinic area.
Assure
Assure accurate testing to support quality patient care.
Assure quality of work, workflow, turn-around-time.
Audit
Audit all central processing staff monthly.
Blood
Blood drawing and processing.
Build
Build productive internal / external working relationships.
Check
Check and records the donor's hemoglobin using regulated method.
Check laboratory appointment schedule daily for orders.
Check test requisitions for accuracy and completeness prior to drawing blood.
Clean
Clean, maintain and calibrate equipment.
Collaborate
Collaborate with CSC and CCC staff in regards to client bookings, etc.
Collect
Collect miscellaneous samples for culture.
Collect payment for third party / uninsured patients.
Collect and transport routine and timed blood test requests.
Collect blood specimens from patient veins and fingers.
Collect laboratory specimens from patients of all ages.
Collect participant blood samples through venipuncture.
Collect specimens according to established procedures.
Collect specimens for select microbiology testing.
Collect specimens from patients and prepares these specimens for in-house or send-out testing.
Complete
Complete all logs maintained in the section for QA purposes.
Complete Case Report Forms in conjunction with the PI.
Complete training courses and keep up-to-date with the latest phlebotomy techniques.
Conduct
Conduct 24hr blood pressure testing when required.
Contribute to
Contribute to a friendly and fun environment.
Correct
Correct any diagnosis errors that flag in system.
Correct erroneous reports and amends reports according to procedure.
Deal with
Deal with incoming and outgoing mail.
Determine
Determine, from like samples, combination of tests and the associate acceptable minimum volumes.
Develop
Develop competency with an EMR system Nextech.
Dispose
Dispose biohazard material in the correct container.
Document
Document all training and competency verification.
Document in Research Study.
Document all re-training and re-verification of competency.
Ensure
Ensure a clean and professional work environment.
Ensure adequate stocking of supplies and report needs to phlebotomy leaders.
Ensure all confidential information is maintained in a secure fashion.
Ensure efficient provider / team and patient scheduling.
Ensure integrity of program's clinical standards, practices, and administrative functions.
Ensure optimal use and ordering of consumables through lead technicians.
Ensure participant confidentiality.
Ensure participant files are kept up to date and staffed at appropriate intervals.
Ensure practitioners remain on time.
Ensure safe transportation of themselves as well as specimens.
Ensure that required consent forms for testing are completed.
Ensure that sufficient reagents and supplies necessary for test performance are available.
Ensure timely submission of DSAL's and progress notes on a daily basis.
Enter
Enter data and retrieve results from web portals.
Enter patient demographic data accurately.
Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
Evaluate
Evaluate effectiveness and appropriateness of orientation.
Evaluate specimens for appropriateness and take necessary corrective action.
Execute
Execute other duties as may be required.
Explain
Explain procedure to patients.
Follow
Follow all laboratory safety rules and report possible hazards to the Laboratory Supervisor.
Follow all safety, quality, and cleanliness protocols and champion new protocols.
Follow appropriate handling requirements for specific specimens.
Follow established daily checklist to ensure all tasks performed on schedule.
Follow established guidelines for laboratory specimens.
Follow established safety protocols.
Follow up on telephone requests as needed.
Foster
Foster a spirit of co-operation and acts as liaison between team members and hospital stakeholders.
Greet
Greet and request required information from patients, explain the blood collection process.
Greet customers appropriately.
Handle
Handle various administrative responsibilities for the front desk.
Help
Help orient new employees to the department LIS.
Help saves lives every day with a phlebotomy & driving career at the American Red Cross.
Identify
Identify customer service issues and brings them forward to the Supervisor.
Identify patients using two patient identifiers.
Install
Install and disconnect the disposable sets.
Interact with
Interact with testing laboratories as required.
Judge
Judge adequacy of submitted specimens, using technical assistance if needed.
Label
Label Collection pack and Specimens as per Operating procedures.
Label vials with patient names and dates.
Look up
Look up patient prior to draw for inpatients to determine that all testing is accounted for.
Maintain
Maintain a neat and clean work area.
Maintain a relationship of trust and confidence with every patient.
Maintain cleanliness of laboratory.
Maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and Navos policy.
Maintain daily records and all appropriate PSC / IOP Phlebotomy logs.
Maintain documentation in the Electronic Health Record per regulation and compliance.
Maintain patient confidentiality.
Maintain Phlebotomy and Central Processing inventory from several applications / sources.
Maintain professional growth.
Maintain professional relationship with patients, staff, and physicians.
Maintain specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following department procedures.
Maintain sterile, sanitary conditions to prevent contamination.
Maintain stock of forms and office supplies.
Maintain the washroom and perform washroom functions as appropriate.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of lab changes and requirements.
Maintain work area in a neat, orderly, and well-stocked manner.
Make
Make a difference in the lives of others.
Manage
Manage work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
Match
Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
Monitor
Monitor softgoods lot number usage and changes.
Move
Move patients through appointments as scheduled.
Obtain
Obtain external medical reports as required by medical professionals.
Operate
Operate equipment, autopheresis instrument, and eProgesa automated system.
Operate equipment to maximize efficiency and minimize down time.
Operate instruments / equipment according to protocol.
Operate the facility within the limits of the approved budget.
Order
Order supplies and maintain sufficient inventory to efficiently operate phlebotomy services.
Organise
Organize laboratory area including general cleaning and upkeep.
Orient
Orient and train new staff assuring that age appropriate care is delivered for population served.
Package
Package samples for referral labs.
Pack
Pack and ship infectious materials.
Participate
Participate in internal and external continuing education programs.
Participate in scheduling by coverage of varied shifts and sites.
Participate in the interview and selection of subject's for clinical trials.
Participate on special projects and teams.
Perform
Perform all job duties in a safe manner and uses required personal protective equipment.
Perform and report bleeding times according to standard operating procedures.
Perform any necessary pretest specimen preparation according to protocols.
Perform aspects of analytical testing appropriate for the specific laboratory section.
Perform bi-annual proficiency testing and inputs results into electronic database.
Perform billing and / or enters credits for tests and services when applicable.
Perform check in and check out at appropriate locations.
Perform check-in utilizing a computer system, according to standard processes.
Perform cleaning and disinfection tasks according to IBBI procedures and frequency schedule.
Perform complex specimen set-up.
Perform confidential donor screening to determine eligibility and consent.
Perform data entry of patient information in an accurate and timely manner.
Perform duties in independent manner.
Perform nursing and administrative duties.
Perform other duties as assigned, or as needed, to ensure continued quality of operations.
Perform other related duties as required.
Perform other work related duties as assigned.
Perform phlebotomies and also perform shockwave accoustic sound.
Perform phlebotomies, connect / disconnect holter monitors, and perform ECG tracings.
Perform phlebotomy and other lab specimen collections per age related standards.
Perform phlebotomy (venipuncture, fingerstick, heelstick) according to established procedures.
Perform quality control check on equipment used to perform daily duties.
Perform special assignments as needed / requested.
Perform specimen collection according to requirements and standard operating procedure.
Perform specimen collection including venipuncture and skin puncture on patients of all ages.
Perform venipuncture and audits / monitors the collection process until the donor is disconnected.
Perform venipunctures / draw blood.
Prepare
Prepare all collected specimens for testing and analysis.
Prepare and communicate results of analyses clearly and legibly.
Prepare and maintain supplies and equipment for treatments, including sterilization.
Prepare specimens for reference laboratory when appropriate.
Prepare unit, specimens and documents for the laboratory.
Prepare various specimens for analysis while maintaining positive patient identification.
Process
Process billing information and collect payments when required.
Process Molecular samples as needed.
Process sample with requisition.
Process special blood request according to instructions received from the Screening Staff.
Process test results utilizing the SOFIA and ABBOT ID testing machines.
Procure
Procure and correlates medical correspondence as directed by department.
Promote
Promote safety in all actions.
Promote staff development and ensures clinical training for staff.
Provide
Provide advice for the development and implementation of process improvement plans.
Provide follow up on test results to appropriate individuals in a professional and courteous manner.
Provide internal and external customer service excellence.
Provide quality assurance for accuracy of test ordering and recognize testing that is illogical.
Provide quality customer services that results in customer satisfaction.
Provide specimen collection instructions to customers when necessary.
Provide support when problems arise.
Provide updates to Field Training Managers and Field Leadership team on center training issues.
Read
Read and sign all operating procedures on an annual basis.
Recognise
Recognise and resolve questionable orders and patient identification.
Recognise when unresolved problems need to be escalated and takes necessary follow-up action.
Recommend
Recommend changes in procedures to address quality issues and provide customer satisfaction.
Record
Record all phlebotomy tasks and reports for staff and accounting.
Record blood drawing volume used as productivity measures.
Record daily temperature of refrigerators / freezers in laboratory.
Refer
Refer / Consults the Staff Nurse when donor eligibility is in question.
Refer to the patient by the surname only.
Release
Release results to hospital information systems and physicians.
Research
Research and resolve any questionable patient orders.
Research supplies required by the clinic staff.
Respect
Respect and maintains the confidentiality of information relative to customers.
Retrieve
Retrieve samples for study teams.
Review
Review draft order sets for research teams.
Review printed reports when applicable, recognize problems and escalate according to protocol.
Schedule
Schedule coverage as required and develop task schedules as required for all shifts.
Stock
Stock inventory and maintains a clean work area.
Stock released softgoods on the donor floor.
Store
Store documents and record according to established protocol.
Submit
Submit accurate expense and travel logs Monday for the week prior or as directed by management.
Support
Support a system-wide understanding of trauma prevalence, impact and trauma informed care.
Support unit readiness audits.
Take
Take patient vitals, urine dips and glucose testing.
Track
Track collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection.
Track mileage tallied as instructed by management.
Travel
Travel to additional sites when needed.
Triage
Triage telephone calls for referral to physician or nurse practitioner.
Understand
Understand and follows all CPL Compliance policies.
Understand the operation and maintenance of equipment pertinent to the job.
Unload
Unload phlebotomy tray and takes to patient's bedside to collect samples ordered by physician.
Use
Use computers according to established protocol.
Use of computer, telephone, and other office equipment for the greater part of the workday.
Use the appropriate collection tubes according to test requirements.
Utilize
Utilize ArtWorks to access necessary demographic and insurance information.
Utilize equipment according to departmental guidelines, maintaining all equipment as per guidelines.
Utilize resources for proper collection and processing of requested tests.
Utilize resources to answer inquiries for test information and basic customer related issues.
Values
Values consumer voice, choice and self-advocacy.
Verify
Verify all patients by DOB (date of birth) and full name.
Verify donor identification.
Verify donor identification, prepares.
Verify patient demographics.
Verify specimens for add-on tests are available and acceptable and generates add-on test orders.
Work
Work holiday shift(s) as required by Company policy.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Phlebotomist:
Clean Driving Record
Valid Driver's License
Pushing
Reliable Transportation
Lifting
Phlebotomy Certification
Bending
Medical Terminology
Pulling
Stand for Long Periods of Time
Standardized Color Blindness Test
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Phlebotomist:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Organizational capacity
Attention to detail
Problem-solving attitude
Flexible
Positive energy
Time-management
Always willing to pitch
Comfortable working under minimal supervision
Handling multiple priorities in a high volume setting
Positive attitude
Bilingualism
Multi-task
Accelerate and embrace change throughout quest
Communicate openly and transparently with peers, supervisors and patients
Detail-oriented
Meet deadlines
Phlebotomy
Work independently with little direction
Assertive attitude
Work in and cope with a changing environment
Leadership
