PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs venipuncture and skin puncture on adults, elders, adolescents, and pediatrics including toddlers and infants. Pediatric skin punctures may include finger and heel sticks

• Maintains, and updates knowledge of, phlebotomy and specimen collection requirements including requisitions,

handling and disposal

• Annually participates in hospital required safety education, patient privacy education and skill competency

verification

• Provides excellent customer service to patients and co-workers

• Checks patient identification against requisition prior to beginning blood drawing procedure. Locates vein and draws requested bloods following standard phlebotomy techniques; determines need for special equipment for problem veins
• Instructs patients in correct procedure for obtaining urine and stool samples and provides patient with proper collection materials
• Ensures adherence to schedules for timed tests such as glucose tolerance and drug levels, and special tests such as STATS, blood culture, and tests required to be obtained in a fasting state
• Identifies a wide variety of tests; selects appropriate tubes for tests, according to the size and metric volume; estimates quantity of blood needed in relation to tests ordered; assembles all necessary equipment; obtains tubes according to the established correct order of draw; labels tubes with patient name, unit number, dates and initials requisition; prepares samples for storage/transportation
• Administers oral diagnostic medications such as glucose, lactose, and xylose to patients per instruction.
• With additional training, may accession specimens into LIS
• Follows all safety (including infection control and hazardous material) policies and procedures. Notifies

Supervisor of unsafe conditions

• Delivers patient reports and assists in printing/collating of patient reports as needed.

• If qualified, or with additional training, may perform ECG or waived testing procedures

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Familiarity with metric system units
• Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology
• Knowledge of aseptic technique
• Knowledge of cardiovascular system
• Knowledge of standard precautions
• Must be able to read/write English and communicate clearly with staff and patients.
• Effectively performs venipuncture as well as skin puncture on adults, elders, adolescents and pediatric venipuncture, finger and heel sticks on infants or toddlers or preschool age children.
• Attentive to standard safety and infection control procedures including standard precautions
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Attentive to detail
• Ability to provide compassionate care to patients
• Ability to recognize emergency situations and respond appropriately
• Must be able to lift ten pounds
• Capable of physical exertion including walking, standing, sitting and bending for entire shift
• Possesses manual dexterity and visual acuity
• Able to work under stress of time constraints and heavy workload demands requiring accuracy
• Basic computer and keyboard skills. Familiarity with MS Windows and LIS preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• May be exposed to disease-bearing specimens, hazardous chemicals or fumes.
• Work environment may be noisy or crowded.