Phlebotomist

**Cornerways Medical Centre**

**Job description for Phlebotomist**

**Purpose**: To assist the GPs and Practice Nurse team in the service delivery and management of patients.

**Responsible to**: Lead Practice Nurse, Practice Manager.

**Job summary**: We are looking for a Phlebotomist to take bloods from patients for testing. You will be required to properly identify patients and correctly use phlebotomy methods (e.g. venipuncture, skin puncture). You will be relied upon to preserve patient health and quality of samples.

**Responsibilities**:To assist in patient care and practice related duties as delegated by and under the indirect supervision of a registered healthcare professional where training and competencies have been completed and assessed. The post holder will work collaboratively with the General Practice team to meet the needs of patients and their carers, following policy and procedures.
- Identify patients and their personal information using their ID, documents or other means
- Determine the right venipuncture method based on patient age, health etc.
- Reassure patients and help them relax
- Find veins that are suitable for puncture
- Draw blood using sterilized needles, vials and other equipment
- Ensure optimal quality and quantity of samples
- Label samples correctly and send them for testing
- Answer patient questions and provide useful information
- Keep accurate records on fluid specimens and tests
- Adhere to all relevant health and safety standards while working

**Requirements and skills**:

- Experience with effective puncture techniques
- Understanding of proper patient identification methods
- Knowledge of legal requirements about drawing blood, handling fluid samples and use of relevant medical equipment and material
- Ability to use computers to enter information
- Excellent communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to connect with all patients and make them feel comfortable
- Patience and presence of mind
- Certification is a plus

**Overview of responsibilities**

Establish and maintain communication with people about routine and daily activities. Support for other members of the team and contribute towards the coordination of team activities.

Develop own knowledge and skills, and that of others.

Assist in maintaining own health and safety, and that of others.

Assist in maintaining and developing services for patients.

Ensure own actions promote quality, and support equality, diversity and rights.

Assist in assessing and addressing people’s health and wellbeing and related needs. Protect health and wellbeing.

Input data

**Specific Responsibilities**:
**Communication**
- Communicate effectively with other team members, actively participating in team meetings.
- Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication

**Personal and people development**
- Be aware of accountability and vicarious liability issues.
- Take responsibility for own developmental learning and performance, alongside clinical supervision.
- Take responsibility for maintaining a record of personal development
- Work with management on any new training requirements.
- Demonstrate skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
- Be aware of the legal issues pertinent to the role of an HCA.
- To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in the primary care team.

**Health, Safety and security**
- Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
- Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks
- Use appropriate infection control procedures and maintain work areas in each clinical room so that they are clean, safe and free from hazards reporting any potential risks identified, including:
**Hand washing**

**Universal hygiene procedures**

**Collection and handling of laboratory specimens**

**Segregation and disposal of waste materials**

**Decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment**

**Reporting and treatment of sharps injuries**

**Dealing with blood and body fluid spillages**

**Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures.**

Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility.

Know the principles of first aid, anaphylaxis and resuscitation procedures.

Mandatory training in fire and resuscitation.

Maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintenance/calibration of equipment and furniture within your area.

Use the computer monitor safely

Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment.

**Service improvement**
- Be aware of, and assist in clinical audit
- Work with colleagues in the team on the development of current and new services and other initiatives
- Deal with requests from patients and clinical staff for health promotion lea