Job Summary:
The Phlebotomy Coordinator oversees the daily activities for either a Clinic Phlebotomy Service, or Inpatient Phlebotomy. This role is required where supervisory staff is limited to ensure high quality, efficient and patient-centered laboratory operations. This job is for an experienced professional that combines technical expertise in phlebotomy with strong leadership and administrative skills. Acts as a liaison between the phlebotomy staff, laboratory personnel, clinical staff, and patients, ensuring compliance with all regulatory, safety, and procedural standards. This coordinator role requires a fully competent, professional Phlebotomy Technician III level, able to perform all the responsibilities and duties, working independently, with minimal supervision necessary, skilled in problem-solving and critical thinking.

Primary duties and responsibilities
Knowledge:
1. Must demonstrate knowledge of procedures and operations at various locations.
2. As an experienced phlebotomist, ensures proper patient identification, collects blood samples within the prescribed timeframe, and follows strict collection protocols, accurately labels and transport specimens while following safety policies.
3. Adheres to strict protocol regarding positive patient identification, and assist in difficult venipunctures, if needed.
4. Operates computer systems to activate orders, performs order management through test consolidation or cancellation as authorized, may order laboratory tests, enter comments, and perform troubleshooting, as necessary.
5. Perform inventory management and manage adequate supply by placing orders in the database (i.e., SCM).
6. Maintains the stock of commonly used supplies, performing routine inspections of stock levels and reviewing expiration dates to ensure adequate availability.
7. Develop and conduct educational activities and may serve as a trainer or a preceptor in the development of staff.
8. Delivers educational in-services and training sessions as needed and is responsible for creating and presenting initial and ongoing educational opportunities.
9. May review and write policies and procedures to ensure they reflect current practices and meet accreditation standards.
10. Possess working knowledge of departmental operations including IT, advanced phlebotomy techniques, accreditation standards, timekeeping system, and document control.

Complexity:
1. Adheres to patient isolation procedures.
2. Practices universal precautions, barrier protection methods, and infection control.
3. Act as liaison between laboratory and other hospital or clinic departments.
4. May act as subject matter expert (SME).
5. May initiate intervention on unacceptable specimens.

Clinic-Based:
Provides patients and outreach clients instructions as necessary regarding non-blood specimen collections.
Prepares and triages specimens to the proper testing facility.
Obtains waivers for Medicare coverage when applicable.
May review test requisitions and order tests appropriately and follow up on all tests with incomplete information or questionable test orders.

Hospital-Based:
Maintains and utilizes computers, phones, and handheld printers, ensuring they are adequately charged and operational.
Must maintain phone availability for emergent collections.
Must be able to collect a minimum number of patients as set by the operating unit leadership.

Autonomy:
1. Provides shift or site operational leadership.
2. Monitors all collection, pending, and billing lists, working with other staff, leadership, and patients to resolve issues or concerns.
3. Independently identifies, understands, and documents issues and opportunities and escalates to the Supervisor appropriately.
4. Works independently with minimal supervision and can resolve issues with limited guidance.
5. Able to prioritize conflicting deadlines.

Interaction:
1. In absence of supervisory staff, performs all responsibilities of workload assignments.
2. Provides supervision and instruction to staff; documents performance issues and takes immediate corrective action as appropriate; makes recommendations to supervisors concerning staff performance evaluations and disciplinary matters, which may require formal action.
3. I interact regularly with staff and other healthcare professionals to maintain computerized records, troubleshoot, and resolve outstanding specimens/collections.
4. Works with supervisor to formulate a plan for professional development.
5. Represents the department by actively participating in interdepartmental teams and supports Emory initiatives.
6. Supports a positive team atmosphere by participating in all group meetings and team-building activities.
7. Upholds the values of the organization, including providing and demonstrating exemplary customer service skills throughout the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes.
8. Maintains a professional image through both formal and informal communication with internal and external customers.
9. Strives to ensure open and accurate communication with all medical and laboratory staff, as well as patients.
10. Committed to achieving total customer and patient satisfaction.
11. When needed, properly introduces self to patients using scripted tools, such as AIDETH or ACE.

Other Duties:
1. Perform additional responsibilities as assigned in the Clinic Phlebotomy Service, Inpatient Phlebotomy, and other Laboratory Support department.

Qualifications:

Minimum Required
Education: High school diploma or GED.
Experience: A minimum of three years of relevant experience is required.
Licensure: None.
Certification: Maintains Hazardous shipping certification.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (required):
Mid-level computer skills required.
Must have functioned as a Phlebotomy Technician III previously at EHC for at least one year.
Alternatively, we must have a minimum of three plus years of relevant clinical experience.

Preferred Qualifications
Education: Some college preferred.
Experience: Three plus years of Phlebotomy, Medical Laboratory Assistant, or other relevant experience is preferred.
Licensure: None.
Certification: Phlebotomy or Medical Laboratory Assistant Certification (PBT-ASCP, CPT-NHA, ASCP-MLA, etc.) preferred.
Completion of a recognized Phlebotomy training program, including a clinical rotation externship, is preferred.

Knowledge, skills, and ability requirements (preferred):
Knowledge of phlebotomy and healthcare operations.
Familiarity with quality improvement methodologies and strategies.
Effective communication and people skills.

Work Conditions

Travel:
None.

Work Type:
Onsite 100% of time



PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
(Medium Max 25lbs): up to 25 lbs., 0-33% of the work day (occasionally) Lifting 25 lbs. max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs.; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.



ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure, Bio-hazardous waste chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, Communicable diseases, Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

 

Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at careers@emoryhealthcare.org. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.