Phlebotomist/Lab Assistant

Advocate Health Care; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care in Oak Lawn, IL seeks a skilled phlebotomist to collect specimens from newborns to adults, ensuring safety and proper labeling. You will perform venipuncture, assist with inventory, and support billing functions in a busy lab.

This role requires CLIA awareness, solid computer and typing skills, and excellent communication to interact with patients, physicians, and staff. Training will cover data entry, specimen processing, and quality control procedures.

Qualifications

• Phlebotomy or related laboratory knowledge required.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with software applications.
• Strong keyboarding and typing abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; active listening.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple tasks.
• Customer service skills to interact with physicians, patients, visitors, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Verify positive patient identification and ensure patient safety.
• Performs venipuncture and collects specimens from patients.
• Label specimens correctly and resolve identification issues.
• Conduct limited testing under CLIA guidelines.
• Assist with inventory and billing support.
• Receive, package, and transport specimens; handle pre-analytical steps.
• Enter laboratory results into the computer system.
• Participate in proficiency testing and generate reports.
• Instruct employees and students in phlebotomy and data entry.
• Provide care appropriate to patient age groups.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Computer skills

Typing

Communication

Multitasking

Customer service

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Major Responsibilities

• Verifies positive patient identification to ensure patient safety. Assesses patient reactions to specimen procurement.
• Performs venipuncture and collects other specimens from newborn, pediatric, and adult patients according to established protocol. Obtains medical assistance when judged necessary.
• Obtains specimens according to priority and scheduled draw times. Ensures completion of specimen collection functions according to protocol. Ensures that specimens are properly labeled and suitable for testing. Resolves specimen identification and/or requisition problems and clarifies requests.
• Performs limited testing under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), 1988 guidelines according to established policies and procedures.
• Answers and screens telephone calls. Assists with inventory and maintains supplies and/or equipment. Provides assistance in support of Billing and other business functions.
• Accepts specimens from a variety of internal and external customers. Receives and sorts specimens. Packages and tracks specimens for transport. Processes specimens for testing, including aliquoting, pre-analytical steps, and loading instruments, while maintaining proper specimen identification. Responds to additional specimen procurement requests via pager or other means.
• Orders and verifies test requests. Documents appropriate information for quality assurance/improvement according to established protocol. Runs quality control checks. Takes appropriate action to notify providers of stat, critical and other abnormal results as defined by policy and procedure.
• Performs laboratory result entry in the computer system.
• Performs internal and external proficiency testing in the same manner as patient samples. Reviews various pending and management reports. Generates and distributes reports.
• Instructs employees and students in phlebotomy, data entry and specimen processing functions.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.

Education Required

• High school diploma or equivalent

Experience Required

• 1 year of phlebotomy and specimen processing knowledge, preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Demonstrates knowledge and experience in phlebotomy or related laboratory function.
• Basic computer skills including experience using computer software applications.
• Keyboarding and typing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Good listening skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment and to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated customer service skills to interface effectively with physicians, patients, visitors, and other healthcare employees.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Frequently lifts up to 10 lbs. Occasionally lifts up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk and bend the majority of the workday.
• May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, radioactive and/or infectious agents.
• Will be exposed to human blood and body fluids.
• Must wear appropriate lab coat, gloves, gowns and eye and face protection as needed.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.