WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you’ll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for drawing blood samples from a patient safely and accurately for testing and research. Submits samples of blood, urine or tissue with proper label for analysis to the laboratory.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job Duties

• Job knowledge. Obtains blood specimens by venipuncture and/or capillary puncture (limited use) with minimum trauma to patient by using the Phlebotomy collection device. Instructs patients on proper collection of urine samples. Researches specimen requirements prior to specimen collection for esoteric or new tests. Maintains a fast and accurate specimen collection turnaround time. Use Epic Beaker to enter lab orders. Verify tests ordered on the requisition with respect to details for accurate test codes while processing specimens through the LIS system, maintain positive patient identification and specimen requirements/handling via Phlebotomy collection device.
• Quality Orientation: Helps monitor pending lists, including but not limited to the unreceived specimen log. Supports CLS Quality Assurance program, actively participating in performance improvement activities by Identifying process improvement opportunities and implementing as appropriate. Ensures specimen requirements are maintained during transportation and storage as per protocol. Ensures that specimens sent via tube system are sent successfully before leaving the area. Maintains specimen integrity at all times.
  Maintains positive patient identification for all specimens collected, using defined protocols.
  Maintains patient confidentiality throughout all activities and communications. Enters data of patient demographics and lab order instructions as needed. Labels patient specimens and paperwork accurately according to established procedures, maintaining positive patient and specimen
  Identification at all times. Performs Final Check at all times
• Customer Service: Provides exceptional customer service to patients of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Greets patients kindly, puts patients at ease, addresses any patient concerns, properly communicates and demonstrates compassion and respect to all patients. Answers calls/communication in a pleasant and professional manner. Follows up and accepts responsibility for the resolution of the caller’s concerns and or gives an informed hand off to the next person of authority.
• Processes laboratory samples according to procedure. Centrifuges and prepares aliquots when needed. Maintains specimen requirements at all times according to protocol. Dispatches specimens to the main laboratory or other designated testing facility as per established procedure with fewer than two mislabeled specimens. Document all correct and accurate information in regard to the specimens collected to ensure best is being met daily, delivers collected specimens to the laboratory(window specimen receiving) and may receive specimen using Epic Beaker. May have to enter orders or look up orders in EPIC Beaker. May be required to contact the Core Laboratory for retrieval of specimens (e.g. for add-on test).
• Adheres to Patient Safety Goals as defined by UTSW, TJC, CAP, and other regulatory/accreditation agencies. Performs inventory of supplies as assigned. Provides training to other Phlebotomists as needed. May provide team leadership for other Phlebotomists in the absence of the Lead Phlebotomist.
• Ensures all tests are accounted for in the ordering system. If necessary, contacts physician’s office or nurse to obtain order clarification/verification prior to collecting specimens. Tracks every specimen to ensure specimen integrity, accounting particularly for those samples which must be transported to other locations with fewer than three occasions of errors involving maintaining specimen batches (opening, reconciling and closing).
• Orders and Monitors supplies and ensures all are within expiration date. Ensures that expired supplies are discarded and none are in the general supply, storage or on phlebotomy carts. Phlebotomy carts need to be fully stocked with required supplies; delivered to the specific staging area; document daily use on current phlebotomy log. Keeps work area well organized and free from clutter, stocked with essential supplies and decontaminated with proper cleaning solutions and disposal of wastes and trash in appropriate containers.
• Utilizes the Risk Management and Process Improvement tools (Event Reports) in an accurate and timely way to identify issues concerning Quality Improvement and assists coworkers in this process as needed. Follows chain of command when reporting unsafe practices observed.
• Actively participates in the review of the monthly schedule and work assignments in conjunction with the Supervisor/Coordinator. Know daily tasks and be accountable for the daily workflow, including the status of the phlebotomy tracker, work flow assignments, and priority test requests. Also, acts as a liaison/problem solver for phlebotomy issues.
• Perform blood collections, blood cultures, and other special collections (Lactic acid, Ammonia, QFTs, to name a few), according to procedures defined by the LIS Collection Management with minimum errors.
• Attendance Reports for work on the assigned days at the assigned times. Follows procedures regarding requesting and using leave in manner that consistently supports effective job performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

• Education
  High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

• Licenses and Certifications
  (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC).

Preferred

• Education
  Completion of a Phlebotomy program in an accredited college or university.

• Experience
  Previous Phlebotomy experience.

• Licenses and Certifications
  (ACLS) ADV CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Able to lift up to 10 pounds
• Requires constant walking
• Wears RFID tag to check out collection device throughout the entire shift
• Work requires exercise of considerable judgment in application, evaluation, and implementation of new or revised procedures, techniques, and practices to work problems.
• Work requires internal contact with patients, nurses, physicians, and allied health practitioner from other departments regarding specimen collection.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Physical Demands
  Lifting
  Walking

• Working Conditions
  Hazards
  Laboratory Setting
  May be exposed to body fluids and infectious diseases

PACT STATEMENT

The following is the acronym, “PACT”, and is fundamental to all clinical positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center:

• P-Problem Solving: To achieve excellence in patient care and service, all employees are expected to take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the patient.
• A-Ability, Attitude and Appearance: In keeping with a professional healthcare environment, all employees are expected to have the ability to perform their jobs and to appear and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner.
• C-Communications and Compassion: It is our goal that all our communications are clear, courteous, timely, and delivered with compassion, respect and appropriate confidentiality.
• T-Teamwork: In our medical environment, our patients regard every employee they encounter as a member of the Southwestern Medical Center team. Our goal is to individually work hard to contribute to our team, support our co-workers, and to achieve not only excellent patient care and service, but also a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

Salary
Salary Negotiable

Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.
 

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.