Lead Phlebotomist

Job Summary

Assists the Central Processing Supervisor with the daily technical and administrative management of the Specimen Procurement and Processing Department. Maintains a thorough knowledge of patient and lab specimen conditions appropriate to laboratory test performance, patient preparation, specimen collection, transport and processing. Responsible for the development and maintenance of high standards for daily operation and maintenance for all members of the section for the assigned shift. Special emphasis will be placed on patient communication, comfort, and reassurance, as well as excellent communications with other hospital department staff, all co-workers, and physicians.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Minimum Years of Experience: 5 Years of Experience as a Phlebotomist
Substitutable Education & Experience (Optional): 5 Years of Experience can be substituted for the following:
3 Years of Experience at LMC working as a Phlebotomist (Demonstrated that they Exceed Expectations on the Critical Elements of the Job).
--OR--
3 Years of Experience with an approved National Certification in Phlebotomy.
Required Certifications/Licensure: None.
Required Training: Completion of a formal training program in Phlebotomy, Medical Assistant, or other applicable area (Equivalent experience may be considered)

Essential Functions

• Knowledge and Expertise:
  • Maintains a high level of skill in the performance of venipuncture/capillary puncture for blood specimen collection for laboratory analyses. Responsible for collection of blood specimens on difficult patients. Takes responsibility, in a positive manner for collecting patients other techs could not obtain.
  • Monitors pending orders and distributes to maintain good specimen turnaround and workload division. Meets or exceeds all section specimen turnaround and quality standards.
  • Performs lab testing in areas of documented competency. Documents instrument and reagent QC and performs preventative maintenance of instruments.
  • Maintains knowledge and competent performance of glucose tolerance testing and patient management during GTT.
  • Performs testing on proficiency samples and maintains records that demonstrates that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
  • Maintains knowledge of and follows policies and procedures for the Laboratory Informations System. Maintains knowledge of the manual backup system.
  • Demonstrates competence to provide developmentally appropriate care/treatment for patient populations from newborn through geriatric (over 65 years).
  • Prepares workload comparison reports as directed. Workload comparisons among techs and shifts, along with reviewing needed documentation to complete QA reports.
  • Assists supervisor with the developments of and updates to procurement training curriculum.
  • Responsible for training and orientation of new employees along with maintaining yearly competency for employees.
  • Presents training seminars to co-workers as assigned.
  • Responsible for coordinating the dispatch of Stats during scheduled hours.
  • Stays abreast of all policy and procedural changes, reads, and signs off in a timely fashion. Encourages others to do so.
  • Attends continuing education programs and seminars as scheduling and budgeting permits in order to remain technically current.
  • Stays current with procedures involving referral testing along with competency in patient registration on Meditech.
  • Is a role model for the procurement team for professional attire and demeanor.
• Productivity:
  • Performs specimen collection as necessary to maintain optimal section workflow.
  • Seeks out and performs additional assignment during decreased workflow.
  • Assigns tasks as necessary to assure continuous, smooth section workflow.
  • Meets or exceeds section productivity standards.
• Communication Skills:
  • Capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance and reporting them to the general (section) supervisor, technical supervisor (Pathologist over sections), clinical consultant (pathologist), or pathologist director.
  • Distributes specimen collection supplies and instructs patients in proper specimen collection procedures.
  • Presents information in a professional, diplomatic, and courteous manner to coworkers, supervisors, management, physicians, patients, and others.
  • Handles confidential information appropriately.
• Service Excellence:
  • Maintains an optimistic and professional image and exhibits excellent customer relations to patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers. Show courtesy, compassion, and respect. Conforms to Service Excellence Policy.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Clinical/Administrative:
  • With section and shift supervisors schedules section personnel to provide optimum coverage and efficiency of section workload. Must be especially adept with skills at dividing and prioritizing workload. Responsible for accurate and timely turnaround of workload with frequent checking of Unreceived Specimen report, tracking of missing specimens, recollection follow-up, etc.
  • Determining supplies that are needed for the department, properly placing orders through the HIS system for supplies, and ensuring orders that are placed are filled properly. This may be a delegated task, but responsible for accurate completion.
  • Responsible for proper storage and handling of specimens along with ensuring proper distribution of samples.
  • Evaluates new products and stays attuned to the needs of the department.
  • Serves as charge person for the department when the supervisor is not available, including attending supervisor's meetings, when necessary.
  • Provides and documents topics for QA as assigned and presents them at supervisor's meeting as requested.
• General:
  • Works agreed scheduled hours and willingly works certain unfavorable shifts during times of short staffing/holidays. Takes call as needed.
  • Performs related duties assigned by authorized personnel or as required in an emergency, e.g., fire or disaster.
  • Complies with all standard policies and procedures required by CLIA, COLA, JCAHO, FDA, DHEC, and OSHA.
• Ensure Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals are discarded, stored, and managed with other compatible waste streams in containers that are properly labeled and closed prior to being shipped offsite for proper disposal.  Initial RCRA training is received within 6 months of the hire date and continuing with annual RCRA training.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.