Affirmative Action, Basic Life Support (BLS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centrifuge, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Content Management Systems (CMS), Corrective Action, Data Entry, Depth Perception, Documentation, Establish Priorities, Federal Laws and Regulations, Geriatrics, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), High School Diploma, Inventory Levels, Keyboards, Laboratory, Laboratory Management, Medical Record System, Microbiology, Multitasking, Nursing, Patient Care, Patient Safety, Phlebotomy, Plating Processes, Professional Services, Quality Control, Quality Management, Record Keeping, Regulatory Requirements, Sample/Specimen Processing, Special Collections, Specimen Collection, Staff Training, Team Player, Time Management, Training Program
POSITION SUMMARY
The Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomy Technician performs specimen collection, processing, and waived/moderate complexity testing in compliance with CLIA, CMS, Joint Commission, and CLSI standards. This role supports patient care through accurate identification, specimen handling, and adherence to the laboratory quality management system. Duties are performed within scope of training and competency under appropriate supervision; high-complexity testing and result reporting are not performed unless authorized per CLIA requirements. The laboratory operates 24/7 with rotating shifts. This position reports to the Director of Laboratory Services, functions under Medical Director oversight, and escalates quality and patient safety concerns through the chain of command.
Qualifications:
NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
High School Diploma or GED
Experience:
Candidates must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
- Completion of an accredited phlebotomy training program
- On-the-job training in a clinical setting
- Documentation of at least 50 successful venipunctures
Certification
- Phlebotomy certification from a nationally recognized agency required within 18 months of hire
- Current BLS certification (or obtain within 90 days)
Other Skills and Abilities:
A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. A successful interview exhibiting an overall outstanding performance. All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:
- Positive working relationships with others
- Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
- Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
- Ability to take initiative, apply teamwork principles and build rapports with others
- Must commit to comprehensive on the job training with the ability to follow instructions
- Effective communication skills to deal effectively with all levels of co-workers
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and manage time to strict deadlines
- Basic computer skills and literacy for communication, records, forms, and ordering
- Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Submission of all required employment-related documents, application, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical:
Work requires long periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, and bending. This work may require frequent need to crouch maintain balance, reach, and lifting, pushing and pulling of objects up to over 100lbs; may be required to work additional hours to maintain patient care accepting flexible schedule to meet until needs. Incumbent will need to be have comprehensive scientific concepts. Incumbent must have the prolonged (3/4 day) ability for far vision, near vision, color vision, depth perception, seeing fine details, hearing normal speech, hearing overhead pages over a loudspeaker, and telephone use. Incumbent must be able to utilize hand manipulation prolonged ability with simple/firm grasping, fine manipulation, and use of keyboards.
Mental:
Incumbent must be able to prioritize and use good judgment. Immediate response to telephone requests, verbal requests. Mental attention and assertiveness are required at all times. The ability and willingness to learn new information is an expectation. Incumbent must have the prolonged ability to cope with high levels of stress, make decision under high pressure, concentrate, handle a high degree of flexibility, handle multiple priorities in a stressful situation, demonstrate high degree of patience, and adapt to shift work. This position often requires the frequent ability to cope with anger/fear/hostility of others in a calm way, manage altercations, and work alone. Incumbent will need to occasionally work in area that are close and crowded.
Environmental:
Incumbent may be exposed to prolonged periods of Infectious Disease, chemical agents, and hazardous or moving equipment. May also be exposed to loud noises. Incumbent can also expect occasional exposure to dust, fumes, gases, extremes in temperature or humidity, and at times unprotected heights.
Responsibilities:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Perform venipuncture, capillary collection, and special collections across all age groups (neonates–geriatrics)
- Verify patient identity using two identifiers (JC NPSG compliance)
- Label specimens at bedside in presence of patient
- Monitor patients for adverse reactions and respond appropriately
- Accession, centrifuge, aliquot, and prepare specimens
- Package and transport specimens per CLIA and DOT regulations
- Maintain specimen integrity and appropriate storage conditions
- Prepare microbiology specimens (e.g., plating)
- Ensure accurate documentation in LIS/EHR
- Perform POCT in accordance with CLIA-waived or moderate complexity requirements
- Follow manufacturer instructions and laboratory policies
- Document results and QC appropriately
- Escalate abnormal results per protocol
- Perform and document Quality Control (QC) and maintenance activities
- Participate in proficiency testing (PT) as assigned
- Recognize out-of-range results and initiate corrective actions
- Support linearities, correlations, and validation studies (as applicable)
- Contribute to quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
- Perform routine instrument maintenance
- Monitor inventory levels and reorder supplies
- Ensure reagents and supplies are within acceptable conditions
- Follow standard precautions and PPE requirements
- Proper donning/doffing and disposal of PPE
- Perform cleaning and disinfection per CDC guidelines
- Report safety incidents and hazards promptly
- Provide professional service to patients, providers, and staff
- Participate in shift handoff communication
- Collaborate with nursing and medical staff regarding specimen issues
- Maintain confidentiality (HIPAA compliance)
- Complete orientation and ongoing competency assessments (CLIA/JC required)
- Participate in continuing education
- Assist in training new staff or students as appropriate
- Data entry in LIS/EHR
- Maintain records and logs per regulatory requirements
- Perform other duties as assigned