Phlebotomist II - UH Reference Lab - Other - University Hospital

Job description

Overview
USA Health is Transforming Medicine along the Gulf Coast to care for the unique needs of our community. USA Health is changing how medical care, education, and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists, and researchers provides the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics, and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall well-being of our community.
Responsibilities
• Positively identifies patients prior to specimen collection using approved electronic patient identification (PPID) processes.
• Collects blood specimens from inpatient and outpatient populations via venipuncture and microcollection techniques.
• Performs routine, timed, and STAT specimen collections with minimal delay.
• Selects correct collection containers and ensures specimen integrity.
• Labels specimens accurately and verifies completeness of collections.
• Performs special collections and testing procedures (e.g., glucose tolerance testing).
• Delivers specimens to appropriate laboratory sections using pneumatic tube system (PTS) or other approved transport methods.
• Operates Laboratory Information System (LIS) and Hospital Information System (HIS).
• Orders, receives, processes, and documents specimens in the LIS.
• Generates and completes collection pending reports.
• Accesses and accurately maintains electronic and paper medical records.
• Facilitates communication regarding specimen collection and ordering requirements.
• Organizes collection rounds and prioritizes workflow efficiently.
• Assists with clerical duties and specimen processing as needed.
• Inventories supplies and orders replacements as necessary.
• Cleans and disinfects work areas, collection trays, and equipment; restocks supplies to maintain readiness.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics when positioning or assisting patients and when moving equipment or supplies.
• Communicates professionally and effectively with physicians, nurses, patients, families, and healthcare teams in person and by telephone.
• Responds promptly to overhead and cellular pages.
• Documents and reports customer complaints, specimen errors, or ordering issues to supervisory staff for resolution.
• Provides competent, age-appropriate care to neonate, infant/toddler, preschool, school-age, adolescent, adult, geriatric, reproductive-age, and post/peri-menopausal patient populations.
• Adheres to standard precautions, infection control guidelines, and safety practices at all times.
• Complies with confidentiality requirements and hospital policies.
• Requires minimal supervision to safely perform assigned duties.
• Accepts and completes all assigned duties in a positive, professional manner.
• Demonstrates teamwork by assisting coworkers and contributing to unit performance.
• Completes all mandatory unit, educational, competency, and hospital requirements.
• Utilizes cost-effective practices in the performance of job responsibilities.
• Participates in continuing education, performance improvement activities, and committees as assigned.
• Abides by organizational compliance and ethical standards.
• Advanced Technical Responsibilities
• Performs difficult venipunctures and specimen collections utilizing advanced collection techniques.
• Serves as a resource for staff regarding specimen collection procedures, patient identification, specimen handling, and collection requirements.
• Investigates and assists in resolving specimen collection and patient identification issues.
• Monitors specimen quality and provides feedback regarding collection-related errors and opportunities for improvement.
• Assists in development and implementation of process improvements designed to enhance patient care, turnaround times, and workflow efficiency.
• Training and Competency
• Assists with onboarding, orientation, and training of new phlebotomy employees.
• Provides ongoing mentoring and education to phlebotomy staff, laboratory assistants, students, and other healthcare personnel as assigned.
• Participates in competency assessments and skills validation activities under the direction of leadership.
• Demonstrates proficiency in all specimen collection procedures and serves as a role model for best practices.
• Quality and Regulatory Support
• Participates in quality assurance, quality control, accreditation, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Assists leadership with monitoring collection metrics, specimen rejection trends, and customer service concerns.
• Documents and reports safety events, occurrences, and quality concerns according to organizational policies.
• Supports laboratory readiness for inspections, audits, and accreditation surveys.
• Operational Support
• Functions as a lead resource during assigned shifts in the absence of supervisory personnel.
• Assists with staffing assignments, workflow coordination, and prioritization of workload.
• Troubleshoots collection, specimen transport, and computer-related issues and escalates concerns as appropriate.
• Assists with inventory management and supply oversight across multiple collection locations.
• May perform waived testing at point-of-care testing locations upon successful completion of training and demonstrated competency.
• Provides coverage across multiple laboratory and outpatient collection locations as operational needs dictate.
• Completes all mandatory department, educational and hospital requirements
• Adheres to current Infection Control and Safety Standards
• Regular and prompt attendance
• Ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required
• Related duties as assigned

Additional Information
Employees must be in a regular position, working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.
Qualifications
• High School Diploma or equivalent and 2 years experience as a Phlebotomist Required
• Experience working independently in a hospital or healthcare setting Preferred
• Comparable combination of education and experience may substitute for the above requirements.
• Communication skills, written and verbal MediumCommunication skills, written and verbal Medium
• Organization skills with attention to detail HighOrganization skills with attention to detail High
• Microsoft Office technology; Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint HighMicrosoft Office technology; Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint High

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis. EO Employer – minorities/females/veterans/disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.