Phlebotomist

Job overview

We are currently looking for people, perhaps like yourself, who would be interested in a role where you would be trained and supported right from the start, helping to provide the best possible care and treatment for our patients.

The post holder will work as part of a team to provide a blood sample collection service to the Slough CDC Centre (Upton Hospital) and occasionally Wexham Park Hospital.

The post holder will be trained to perform a range of venepuncture techniques in a variety of clinical settings and will work under direct supervision until successfully assessed to work without supervision.

Within 6 months, the post holder will be assessed on their phlebotomy practical skills and phlebotomy base knowledge. Once the candidate completes all training and the Phlebotomy Competency, they will be promoted to Band 3 after 1 year. The post holder will participate in a rota-based schedule to cover shifts from Monday to Sunday between 7.30 a.m. and 8.00 p.m. The post holder will work 5 days a week within a 7-day period, including weekends (on a rota basis).

The Slough CDC Centre's operating time is:

08.00 – 20:00 – Monday to Sunday

Clinic will be covered on a rota basis, 7 days per week, with 1 early shift 8.00-16.00 and 1 late shift 12.00-20.00.

Wexham Park Hospital's operating time is:

7.30 – 17.00 – Monday to Friday

8.00 – 10.30 Saturday

Main duties of the job

The work, as a Phlebotomist, involves taking blood samples from patients who are currently being treated on our wards and outpatient department as well as those in other local hospitals where we provide services. As you will know, properly taken blood samples are vital in helping our clinicians to effectively diagnose and treat the medical conditions in the patients that they see.

The post holder is responsible for complying with the Trust’s corporate policies and procedures. These serve as a basis for regulating the conduct of activities in a consistent manner, and are required to satisfy the proper discharge of statutory, professional and legal responsibilities and provide a disciplined framework within which actions take place.

A bank holiday service is provided to the wards and covered by the team on a rotational basis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Some of the job's main requirements include:

• To collect, using venepuncture procedures, blood samples from inpatients and from patients attending the outpatient clinics within the HWPH NHS Foundation Trust sites.
• To monitor and maintain the health, safety and security of self and patients during the venepuncture procedure. Practices within risk management/ occupational health legislation and Trust procedures.
• To collect samples from patients in high-risk categories and is aware of potential hazards.  Is able to follow agreed protocol to minimise risk to self and others.
• To be aware of the clinical conditions and precautions that are necessary for sample quality to be maintained during the venepuncture procedure. This includes site selection, correct use of the tourniquet and selection of blood sample bottles.
• To be proficient in performing venepuncture to meet the requirements of Dynamic Function Tests (a series of blood samples taken at defined intervals according to a set protocol).
• To ensure that blood sample bottles are accurately labelled in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• To ensure that clinical samples are correctly packaged for transportation to the laboratory by following the policies and procedures of the Pathology Department.
• To be proficient in the use, maintenance, calibration and quality control procedures of the departmental equipment.
• Work to ensure that departmental performance targets are met by continually assessing the priority of work, taking into account the individual needs of the patient.
• To be fully conversant with relevant departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring that personal performance complies with Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) standards.
• To carry out telephone duties that include making and receiving calls from and to the phlebotomy unit, conveying sensitive information and advice to healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives.