Job Description

The Phlebotomist plays a key role in providing high-quality patient care by performing blood draws and other specimen collections, ensuring accurate labeling and processing, and supporting efficient laboratory workflow. This position combines hands-on phlebotomy with troubleshooting, training support, and workflow improvement recommendations in a fast-paced clinical or hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform venipuncture and other blood draws using straight needles and butterfly needles with a high degree of accuracy and patient care.
• Collect, handle, and store blood, urine, fecal, and other specimens according to established procedures and protocols.
• Clearly and courteously explain venipuncture, blood draw, and other specimen collection procedures to patients to ensure understanding and comfort.
• Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes, verifying that all information is complete and accurate.
• Label, centrifuge, split, and freeze specimens as required by test orders, following all laboratory protocols.
• Check all test requisitions or computer-generated labels against scripts or orders to ensure 100% accuracy before processing.
• Package specimens for transport, following specific protocols to maintain specimen integrity during transit.
• Store specimen samples at the required temperature and place them in appropriate collection containers or tubes, ensuring accurate labeling and handling.
• Update patient information accurately in the system and maintain complete and precise documentation of specimen collection and processing.
• Record maintenance data and assist with decontamination procedures to maintain a clean and safe work area.
• Understand and fully interpret physicians’ orders related to laboratory tests and specimen requirements.
• Assist in troubleshooting issues related to specimen collection, labeling, processing, and workflow.
• Make recommendations to improve workflow efficiency and support best practices within the department.
• Attend and actively participate in annual department trainings and other required educational sessions.
• Understand and comply with OSHA and DEP regulations and all relevant safety and compliance standards.
• Answer telephone calls professionally and read laboratory results as needed to satisfy appropriate inquiries.
• Support training of team members by demonstrating proper specimen collection techniques and adherence to protocols, as requested.

Essential Skills

• Valid phlebotomy certification for the state of employment, where required.
• Minimum of 6 months of work experience performing venipunctures in a fast-paced laboratory or hospital setting.
• Proven proficiency in performing blood draws and venipuncture procedures.
• Ability to use straight needles and butterfly needles safely and effectively.
• Strong attention to detail in labeling, matching requisitions, and verifying patient and test information.
• Ability to accurately collect, process, and store specimens according to established protocols.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for basic documentation and communication tasks.
• High school diploma or GED.
• 2–4 years of overall work experience, preferably in a clinical or laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of and adherence to OSHA and DEP regulations and safety standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school education or higher, with additional related coursework or training considered an asset.
• Experience working in a fast-paced lab or hospital setting with high specimen volume.
• Strong communication skills to explain procedures clearly and courteously to patients and respond to inquiries by phone.
• Ability to read and fully understand physicians’ orders and laboratory requisitions.
• Comfort with answering telephones and providing laboratory result information as appropriate.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple specimens, requisitions, and tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to participate in and benefit from ongoing departmental trainings and continuing education.
• Willingness to support workflow improvements and contribute ideas for process efficiency.

Work Environment

This role operates in a fast-paced laboratory or hospital setting that requires consistent attention to safety, accuracy, and patient care. The Phlebotomist II works with standard phlebotomy equipment such as straight needles, butterfly needles, collection tubes, and centrifuges, as well as computer systems for order entry, labeling, and documentation, including