Lead Phlebotomist

SUMMARY:
Under the general supervision of the Under general supervision of the Pathology Manager or, Phlebotomy Supervisor performs a variety of activities, including phlebotomy procedures, registration, test orders, specimen tracking and processing, overseeing, scheduling, assigning and training phlebotomists, as well as performing clerical and secretarial functions in support of the department. All functions are carried out in consideration of the aging processes, human development stages, cultural patterns, and patient choice in each step of the care process.
Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs various functions associated with the computer system to assure proper collection and documentation of patient specimens. Patient Registration including Patient Identification and verification, Patient Look-up, enter patient demographics, insurance information, guarantor, PCP, ordering provider, order tests, enter diagnostic codes, ordering provider following established policies and procedures for patient identification and verification, registration, test orders, medical necessity, and document scanning.

• Manage Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABNSN) to include obtaining supporting diagnostic codes, document review, patient signature, document management and scanning. Performs related clerical activities such as medical necessity follow-up, sorts and files records, daily checklists, answering phones, report delivery, receiving patient into clinical treatment area, as necessary.

• Maintains/monitors standing orders for expiration and renewals confirming tasks are followed through to completion. Provides patient with forms for test, gives instructions regarding any special preparation necessary prior to specimen collection test or appointment. May contact additional patient information to complete patient records.

• Monitors Workbrain for phlebotomists. Reviews Kronos reports with manager to monitor overtime and badging patterns. Reviews timekeeping records for time entry, hours worked and attendance on a regular basis. Reports incidents of missing start or end times, and consistent early/late badging. Under the direction of the Outreach Manager monitors attendance. Records unscheduled absences and tardiness.

• Ensures staff follows the department call out protocol. Reports any issues to manager for follow up.

• Works with manager to ensure accuracy and completeness of all payroll records. Submits payroll for approval by manager. Reviews and processes mileage and other expenses for the phlebotomy team for sign off by manager.

• Monitors Document Imaging. Checks to see that required documents are scanned properly. Makes necessary corrections and updates files. Routinely reviews issues with staff members. Retrains as necessary.

• Works cooperatively with Customer Service to conduct random audits. Attends meetings pertaining to Document Imaging as requested.Monitors RQI. Reviews phlebotomists work lists to ensure they are making corrections and clearing work lists on a timely basis. Makes necessary corrections in RQI. Reports system issues and chronic problems to manager. Attends meetings pertaining to RQI as requested.

• Tracks errors, notifies, and provides constructive feedback to staff. Works cooperatively with manager to coach and retrain as necessary.

• Acts as liaison with physicians, VNA’s and their staff to answer inquiries and resolve problems related to the Patient Service Centers (PSC’s) Home Draw Department and phlebotomists. Regularly assists with phlebotomy of patients and performs duties of phlebotomist. Understands and adheres to all policies and procedures included in but not limited to the Phlebotomy and Administrative manuals. May make rounds on clinical unit to assure all samples were obtained and to trouble shoot problems such as locating missing samples; draws blood samples missed or those Phlebotomist had difficulty obtaining.

• Performs coagulation tests such as bleeding times. May perform certain waived laboratory tests (as defined by the clinical Laboratory Improvement Act and Rhode Island State Licensure). Such testing may include dipstick or tablet urinalysis, fecal occult blood, visual color comparison analysis for ovulation or pregnancy, blood glucose using glucose monitoring devices, blood cholesterol test and the like.

• Participates in the interviewing and selection of phlebotomists and provides input into their performance evaluations. Trains new phlebotomists, and medical technologist students in areas of performance standards, hospital and departmental policies and procedures, customer service, patient identification and verification, registration, test orders, specimen requirements, venipuncture, fingerstick techniques, specimen processing and tracking, specimen rejection, supplies and patient service center operations.

• Performs competency assessments. Determines when training is completed and arranges for final review with manager.

• Updates and maintains New Hire Outreach Training Manual, Registration Manual and Float Manual. Maintains and records a variety of records and statistics such as payroll, work load, program activities, training reports and the like.

• Performs related clerical activities such as, sorting and filing records, receiving patient into clinic/treatment area and interviewing patient to obtain insurance, biographical and medical information to complete registration records. Provides patient with forms (e.g. hospital or regulatory required forms) for tests, gives instructions regarding any special preparation necessary prior to test or appointment, coordinates, confirms and delivers patient’s final reports to the appropriate physician office and/or requesting clinic. May contact patient to return and repeat tests. May contact outside agencies/physician’s office to obtain additional patient information to complete patient records.

• Understands and follows hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Provides input into the development or revisions of policies and procedures of Phlebotomy programs. Assures implementation and adherence to established policies and procedures. Adheres to the Customer Service Standards. Maintains quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control in accordance with established hospital department policies, procedures, and objectives. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Phlebotomy certificate through National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and/or completion of a Phlebotomy certificate program to include formal internship demonstrating 100 successful venipunctures.

• In lieu of phlebotomy certification, 5 plus years direct phlebotomy experience may be considered.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 5 years of phlebotomy experience required.

• Ability to perform venipuncture techniques and capillary puncture on adults, children and infants.

• Interpersonal skills to obtain and provide information to patients and to explain procedures effectively in order to allay fears and anxiety.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care patients with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

• Clerical skills to prepare and maintain records and reports, including keyboard skills to enter access information.

• Familiarity with blood collector equipment, anticoagulants, special precautions and interference.

• Ability to distinguish chromatic colors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Works with in-patient care environment with considerable walking between units and where some physical effort may be required to deal with patients who are uncooperative.

• Some exposure to odors when handling specimens.

• Exposure to communicable diseases while administering to patients, however chance of injury is minimized by the adherence to established infection control procedures.

• Manual dexterity to perform venipunctures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None.

Pay Range:

$19.97-$32.96

EEO Statement:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Location:

Lincoln-One Commerce Street - One Commerce Street Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865

Work Type:

Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm,

Work Shift:

Day

Daily Hours: 

8 hours

Driving Required:

Yes