Phlebotomist/Lab Technician - Clinical Lab Support

It takes a lot of very smart, hard-working and talented people to provide the level of care that we give to our patients. Tufts Medical Center is an internationally respected academic medical center and we pride ourselves not only on the sophistication of the care we deliver, but the compassionate way in which we provide it. And that starts with our employees.

Under general supervision, this position performs laboratory support functions including but not limited to: phlebotomy of adult and pediatric patients, both in the inpatient and outpatient setting, specimen accessioning, specimen processing, and laboratory clerical functions. The lab tech also performs the technical duties of operating the laboratory computer system.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Checks test requisitions for accuracy and completeness prior to drawing blood. Verifies patient identification. Obtains blood samples from adult and pediatric patients by venipuncture or skin puncture following hospital procedure using universal precautions. Uses the appropriate collection tubes according to test requirements.
• Performs special procedures for collection of specimens from patients with physical and/or clinical obstructions such as intravenous lines, heparin locks, etc. and/or patients of special precautions. Assists with preparing patients for testing (e.g., preparing and administering solutions for oral tolerance or absorption tests)
• Processes specimens for laboratory testing, which includes accessioning specimens in Soft (LIS), labeling, collecting, receiving and distribution of specimens to appropriate testing areas.
• Performs general clerical support functions which include: customer service functions for internal and external clients such as rapid response to inquiries. Maintains professionalism and courtesy answering telephone and providing answers to inquiries for laboratory testing, specimen requirements, and testing schedules. Files original documents and scans documents using Soft media.
• May perform functions associated with Purchased Lab Services such as processing, packaging and shipping.
• Attends mandatory annual training sessions in standard precautions, fire safety, chemical hygiene, and laboratory HIPAA compliance.
• Completes all educational opportunities provided by Clinical Lab Support including but not limited to MediaLab, CAP, and Net Learning.
• Performs all functions appropriate to position responsibilities that are required for the laboratory to meet the standards specified by accrediting agencies such as The Joint Commission and the College of American Pathologists with respect to written technical and administrative procedures and policies covering specimen collection and handling, special requirements, the operation and maintenance and troubleshooting of instruments and equipment, personnel policies, safety, and quality assurance.
• Establishes and maintains customer service standards to ensure all customers are provided with prompt and complete service
• Maintains collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working group’s achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.
• May participate in training of new employees and students
• May be asked to assume lead tech responsibilities

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to operate technical equipment used to perform work accurately and proficiently, and to maintain patient safety and comfort.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to interact with peers, physicians, nurses, medical students, fellows, patients, and families. Communicates with patients and their families using age-appropriate terminology and tone of voice. Communicates with external and internal customers with effectiveness, tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Communicates with external and internal customers with effectiveness, tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Must be able to work accurately and effectively under pressure.
• Bilingual skills preferred.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Level of knowledge generally obtained through completion of high school with two years of progressively responsible laboratory experience in an accredited clinical laboratory.
• Certificate of completion from an approved Phlebotomy program or approved Medical Assistant program with a concentration in phlebotomy.
• National Certification or Certification Ready is preferred
• Inpatient & outpatient experience preferred. Experience with pediatric & geriatric patients preferred.
• Experience with relevant Laboratory Information System.

An equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above, may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Regular exposure to body fluids and other infectious material, toxic and hazardous substances, and disagreeable odors.
• Subject to the stress of working under time pressure to meet production schedules.
• Work may cause visual fatigue due to close examination of large numbers of specimens or CRT use.
• Patient contact and the risk of puncture wounds with blood-contaminated needles when performing phlebotomy.
• May participate in on-call responsibilities, weekend rotation, holiday rotation and rotating shifts.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. New England Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.