Temple College Medical Lab Technology Department

Temple College Medical Lab Technology Department
Phlebotomy

A phlebotomist generally works in a medical laboratory under the direction of a laboratory supervisor who is a registered medical technologist (clinical laboratory scientist). The primary responsibility is to draw blood specimens from patients for the purpose of testing and analysis. The job involves duties related to the preparation and maintenance of equipment for obtaining blood specimens, establishing a professional relationship with the patient, the selection of the site, the care of the specimen, and possibly the entry of the testing process into the computer, and clerical duties associated with record keeping of the laboratory tests.

The job requires the ability to gain the confidence of the patient and to establish positive interpersonal relationships with him/her, the family, health care workers in other departments, and co-workers in the laboratory. The phlebotomist must be able to read requisitions for laboratory requests and read physicians' orders.

Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent for employment of phlebotomists. Physical and personal skill requirements include verbal skills to communicate with clients, staff and associates. Basic mathematical aptitude is required for simple calculations and timing interval computations. Manual dexterity is required to handle the equipment of the job -- test tubes, needles, vials, and computer terminals. Visual acuity is necessary to read orders, labels, patient identification bracelets and procedures. Although 80-90% of the job involves walking, bending and standing, it is possible for a phlebotomist in a wheelchair to work in areas where the equipment (chairs, beds, etc.) is modified to a height that the worker can reach.

Specific job duties include the following:

A.	Obtaining blood specimens:
	1. Select containers for specimens.
	2. Provide identification for containers.
	3. Provide labeling for blood blank specimens.
	4. Identify patients.
	5. Select puncture sites.
	6. Perform venipunctures.
	7. Perform skin punctures.
	8. Perform skin punctures on heels of infants.
	9. Perform arterial punctures.
	10. Provide care of puncture site.
B.	Processing specimens:
	1. Perform slide technique.
	2. Deliver specimens to proper station.
	3. Handle specimens with special time requirements.
	4. Handle specimens with special temperature requirements.
	5. Process specimens for mailing.
	6. Prepare send-out specimens.
	7. Handle specimens for blood culture.
C.	Managing assignments:
	1. Set priority designations of specimen collection.
	2. Schedule time intervals for tolerance tests.
	3. Schedule timing for drug-dependent tests.
	4. Refer problems of assignment to supervisor.
	5. Calculate workload on daily, weekly, monthly basis.
	6. Read physician orders and requisitions.
	7. Assist co-workers to complete assignments.
D.	Maintaining professional communication:
	1. Use professional communication skills with patients and families.
	2. Notify patient units of special scheduling.
	3. Inform patients of special test requirements.
	4. Communicate special situations to nurses on patient units.
	5. Answer the telephone and dispense information.
	6. Confer with supervisor about communication problems.
	7. Serve as a mentor (trainer) for on-the-job trainees.
E.	May assist with and perform specified tests:
	1. Assist pathologist with gastric analysis.
	2. Calculate drug dosage for gastric analysis.
	3. Perform TBT's (Ivy bleeding time).
	4. Perform ACT's (activated clotting time).
	5. Perform selected skin tests.
	6. Perform urinalysis.
F.	Performing clerical duties:
	1. Enter patient data, requisitions and time notations into computer.
	2. Delete and cancel tests from computer.
	3. Enter test results into computer.
	4. Verify data in computer by calling logs from computer.
	5. Keep written laboratory fornms.
	6. Restock supplies.

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