Phlebotomist

Job overview

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People who use our services are from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of needs which may include mental health, learning disabilities or dementia.

As a phlebotomist you will be responsible for safely performing venepuncture for ward-based patients and for patients attending clinics and appointments in the Outpatient Department from the age of 16 years and older.

Main duties of the job

• To maintain the knowledge and skills  to perform specialist blood tests i.e. the use of cryoflask, performing  genetics screening, Group & Save, chromium & cobalt, and PTH samples, and follow the correct procedure for transporting these samples to the lab.
• Follow Trust policy for taking samples from high-risk patients incl. HIV and Hep B & C patients and transporting high-risk samples to the lab.
• To abide by Trust policies and procedures in regard to IPC/COSHH and local policy and procedures.
• Perform venepuncture with correct order of draw, obtaining patient consent to treatment.
• Build and maintain safe and effective therapeutic relationships.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide phlebotomy training to all Trust staff including nurses and medical staff.
• To feel confident to be able to report untoward incidents and areas of concern as soon as they arise to the nurse in charge of the ward or the senior staff in the Outpatient department.
• Contribute to individual reviews and team meetings.
• Participate in audits.
• Participate in the daily Co-ordinator role on a rotational basis, which involves a member of staff co-ordinating all phlebotomists and communicating with wards ensuring a timely and appropriate service.
• Operate the analyser in line with manufacturer instructions to perform blood analysis and obtaining and printing results for daily haematology clinics, ensuring the results are available for the patient attending clinic.
• Perform QC for the analyser as per manufacturer’s instructions and escalate any abnormalities or performance concerns to Point of Care.
• Be competent in replacing Chemical reagents for the analyser when prompted by the system and dispose of waste products, which will include bodily fluids, in line with COSHH, IPC and Trust policy.
• Operate and maintain equipment in line with Trust IPC policies and guidelines, and in line with departmental SOP.
• Liaise with clinicians/Pathology staff regarding queries regarding blood test requesting.
• Attend training and development to update and maintain one’s own skills regarding blood tests and how to transport/draw samples.
• Responsible for managing own workload and to work without direct supervision to complete daily assigned workload, this involves working at pace, with prolonged episodes of standing and walking, whilst pushing a phlebotomy trolley.
• Have the ability to navigate the hospital wards to complete workload but also the flexibility to alter planned work schedule to support other areas/team members if requested.
• Duties
• Initiate emergency action when required e.g. cardiac arrest, fire.
• Report any concern of a patient’s condition during a procedure to the senior nurse or doctor in charge.
• Access ICE to print patient blood test information.
• Access Careflow to arrive and outcome patients attending for scheduled appointments.
• Monitor and order stock as required for service provision.
• Maintain own phlebotomy trolley, including replenishing of stock as needed and clean in line with IPC and local policy.
• Ensure that samples are labelled at the patient’s bedside/with the patient correctly and using the correct request forms in line with Trust policy.