Community Phlebotomist

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Barnsley is seeking a motivated Community Phlebotomist to obtain blood samples from patients. The role involves working across various venues to serve house-bound patients. Applicants must be trained in venepuncture or be willing to complete the training. Effective communication, teamwork, and a commitment to patient care are essential. Candidates with a valid right to work in the UK are encouraged to apply. This position does not meet visa sponsorship requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience of providing personal care and related procedures.
• Ability to manage time effectively and work under pressure.
• Willingness to undertake further study/development.

Responsibilities

• Obtain blood samples from patients through venepuncture.
• Ensure all samples are labeled correctly and processed accordingly.
• Communicate with patients with sensitivity and compassion.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Venepuncture skills

Customer care skills

Education

GCSE (or equivalent) A–D or grade 3–9 in Maths and English

Care Certificate

Venepuncture training

Job description

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Community Phlebotomist

The closing date is 03 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated Community Phlebotomist to join our Integrated Neighbourhood Teams in Barnsley. The post holder will work from a variety of venues and provide this service to house‑bound patients across the borough.

The purpose of this role is to obtain blood samples from patients, as requested by doctors and nursing staff, ensuring that all samples are labelled correctly and in line with Trust policy and procedure.

It is essential that applicants have undertaken theoretical and practical training in venepuncture or are prepared to complete the required training.

You must also possess an enthusiasm for care, the ability to communicate at all levels and the ability to work both as part of a team and as a lone worker.

Ideally you should have an awareness of Health and Safety requirements and an understanding of the need for confidentiality, with the ability to put the well‑being of patients and personal safety at the heart of your actions.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.

We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

Main duties of the job

You will use your own initiative, have good communication skills, and manage your time effectively.

You will also be able to communicate with sensitivity and compassion and manage relationships with people.

The successful candidate will work across the Barnsley area; therefore the use of a vehicle to undertake any necessary travel in connection with the duties of the post is essential.

You will gain valuable experience and have access to relevant training opportunities within the service to develop necessary skills.

The right candidate will be willing to learn and progress their knowledge, be committed to teamwork and delivering high‑quality patient care. You will have a positive attitude with a focus on team learning and support.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 to protect patients.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, by providing high‑quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non‑clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we are accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we are run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will obtain blood samples from patients through venepuncture, as requested by doctors and nursing staff. They will ensure that all samples are labelled correctly and then forwarded to the laboratories for analysis. The well‑being of the patient and personal safety will be maintained at all times through adherence to Trust protocols, policies and procedures and relevant Health and Safety legislation.

To record information as required in the relevant records.

To work in an integrated and partnership way with primary, secondary, social care, the independent and voluntary sector and others to improve the health and care of individuals, families and communities, particularly the most vulnerable.

KEY RESULT AREAS

1.1 Care provision

Deliver excellent levels of customer service to people, and address or report, in a timely and proactive manner, where these standards have not been met.

Under the supervision/direction of a health‑care professional (associate practitioner if part of the team) for delegated tasks and in accordance with well‑established procedures, provide a range of routine care to meet the needs of people.

Prioritise day‑to‑day delegated tasks/activities, refer and seek guidance/supervision on issues outside own level of competency from more senior health‑care practitioners.

Assist in the initial assessment/admission and development/implementation of clinical care packages/plans to help maximise service‑user recovery/rehabilitation potential. Assist with subsequent discharges.

Contribute to care documentation, report observations and other service‑user information in written and electronic format. Be competent in basic IT skills.

Assist health‑care professionals in taking routine clinical measurements, which may include: taking blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight etc., and handle specimens of bodily fluids as applicable to the role.

Assist in meeting service‑user needs, e.g., emotional, personal, dietary, environmental etc., ensuring their privacy, dignity, rights and choices are maintained at all times. Support individuals to self‑manage their own health and social wellbeing and promote individuals' positive self‑esteem and sense of identity as applicable to the role.

Assist in the management and support of individuals who exhibit challenging behaviour or present a significant imminent risk to themselves or others. Recognise and respond to changes in their presentation, including reporting the issue to a registered health practitioner/associate practitioner as required. Respond appropriately to any emergency situation.

Assist in supportive observation/interventions, minimising the negative effects of disruptive/abusive behaviour, or in the prevention and management of violence and aggression (PMVA). Use de‑escalation and physical control techniques as necessary under the supervision of a health‑care professional. Take reasonable steps to protect themselves from the risk of violence.

If appropriate to the role, when directed and risk‑assessed by a health‑care practitioner, accompany/escort service users within/outside Trust grounds.

Make sure own actions reduce risks to health and safety and all possible steps are taken to help safeguard the welfare, safety and security of people by helping to identify, manage and appropriately report risks.

Use effective verbal/written communication at all times, incorporating tact, empathy, consideration, courtesy and confidentiality. Respond to any communication difficulties and psychological, social, physical and spiritual needs.

Work with sensitivity and an understanding of issues experienced by service users.

Ensure moving and handling of people/loads is carried out in a safe and effective manner in accordance with policy and training as directed by a registered health‑care professional/associate practitioner.

Work in a flexible and collaborative manner with others, adapting to the needs of the service, despite many demands on attention.

Understand the roles and contributions of other care providers in and outside of the team, enabling those who are significant to the service user to play an active role in their care.

Support the Trust culture of commitment to delivering quality services and outcomes.

Seek to improve own knowledge and understanding of health and social care services, particularly with regard to own area of work and service users.

Make use of opportunities for sharing good practice and learning.

Seek to identify additional activities in accordance with the role, which would increase postholder efficiency and the efficiency of the team.

Communicate clearly with patients to ensure the patient fully understands and consents to the procedure.

Ensure the well‑being of the patient at all times, putting them at ease and treating them in an appropriate manner, taking appropriate action if the patient feels unwell during or following the procedure.

Safely perform venepuncture on patients, for collection of venous blood samples as requested to enable appropriate tests to be carried out using Trust policy and procedures.

Assess, monitor and manage the venepuncture site to ensure trauma to the area is kept to a minimum.

Ensure all samples, personally generated, are correctly labelled and transported to the appropriate laboratory as soon as practicable.

Adhere to policies relating to the handling of contaminated blood and infection control to ensure safety of both patients and staff.

Follow procedures for reporting incidents of patients and staff, with particular reference to need‑stick injuries.

Responsibility for ensuring phlebotomy equipment is kept in a clean and safe manner.

Input data on the Trust IT system.

Update patients' case notes electronically within 24 hrs as per contemporaneous record‑keeping standards.

Take responsibility for own and other health and safety in the working environment.

Undertake any additional duties deemed appropriate to the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE (or equivalent) A–D or grade 3–9 in Maths and English.
• Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement.
• Venepuncture training or willingness to complete the required training.
• Experience of the speciality area.
• Willingness to undertake further study/development to level 3.

Physical Attributes

• A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).

Personal Attributes

• Responsive attitude and approach.
• Dress appropriately for the environment.
• A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Special Knowledge/Skills

• As appropriate to the role.
• Demonstrates effective customer care skills.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation.
• Demonstrates ability for safe decision‑making skills commensurate with role.
• Good numeracy/literacy skills and willingness to work towards key skills level 2 and basic IT/keyboard skills.
• Awareness of responsibilities regarding confidentiality.
• Able to remain calm under pressure and in exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations (e.g., verbal aggression, body fluids).
• Non‑judgemental, empathetic manner.
• Must embrace Trust Values.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Able to use observation skills to identify potential risks and act appropriately.
• Able to fulfil the requirements of the Value‑based Induction.
• Language skills other than English.
• I.T. skills.

Experience

• Providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs.
• Working in a caring environment.
• Dealing with the public.
• Working effectively and flexibly independently or as part of a team.
• Practiced venepuncture in the last twelve months.
• Able to evidence work in a caring environment or in a voluntary position.

Training

• Willingness/ability to undertake all Trust mandatory training requirements, including the Care Certificate and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
• Willingness/ability to undergo job development and training.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust