Phlebotomist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To perform Venepuncture and Veneole (capillary sampling) blood collection procedures (the piercing/puncturing of veins or the slicing of veneoles, which are both invasive, clinical procedures).

To extract blood samples from patients in a manner that makes the blood sample suitable/fit for analytical, therapeutic or diagnostic testing and purpose.

Working on hospital wards, clinics, community based clinics within other organisations & NHS Trusts and also in the patients domicile.

As the job holder you will be required to work as a member of the departmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a range of routine tasks in support of biomedical, scientific and medical staff. You will have problem solving skills that will allow you to make judgements and decisions about job related situations. You will be required to communicate information, some of which may be related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organizations. There is a requirement to work weekends and cover service delivery times between 08.00 and 20.00 as the roster dictates

3. ORGANISATIONAL CHART

4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

- Manage contingencies that arise during the blood collection process

- Independently manage own allocated workload and perform and undertake non-routine requests for blood specimen collections

- Collect, identify and record the correct patient/donor information or data at the time of the sample collection and within full view of the patient/donor. This task calls for long periods of concentration that can be frequently interrupted

- Collect data/information for internal/external audit purpose

- Preparation / administration of loading dose prior to a specific blood test being performed. (e.g. Glucose/Lactose Tolerance Tests)

- Identify, select and utilise a suitable site fit for the purpose of blood collection using personal judgmental skills

- Identify, select and use suitable/appropriate equipment for the specimen collection using personal judgmental skills

- Obtain blood samples from patients/donors to a standard fit for laboratory testing ensuring minimum distress or discomfort is caused to the patient/donor during the blood collection process

- Interpret written requests for blood collection

- Communicate information to patient/donors of all ages, genders, sexual orientation, cultures or physical abilities, in a none-discriminatory or judgmental manner and be able to overcome barriers of communication within these areas

- Give patients/donors, guardians and carers, appropriate advice regarding venepuncture site, after care and availability of test results

- Ensure pre and post-test requirements have been fulfilled and ensure the patient/donor is fit for discharge from your care

- Ensure safe and appropriate delivery or transport of the specimens to the laboratories

- Cleaning stationary or mobile workstations in the phlebotomy clinic or storage area, (including general and departmental housekeeping duties)

- Completing regular stocking and stock rotation of working areas

- To prepare materials for distribution to clinical areas

- To contribute to general departmental management by assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables.

5. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

6. WEST YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF ACUTE TRUSTS (WYAAT)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

WYAAT is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The Partnerships ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that ambition.

7. INFECTION CONTROL

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

8. HEALTH AND SAFETY / RISK MANAGEMENT

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed security and safer working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system

9. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

10. TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

11. COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

12.

As the job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with a diverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples:

Internal

- Colleagues, supervisors and managers within the speciality

- Pathology staff working in other specialities

- Members of clinical teams including nurses, doctors and other practitioners

- Administrative and secretarial staff

- Estates and facilities staff

External

- Staff in primary care facilities

- Staff in other hospitals

- Staff in non NHS organizations (for example suppliers of consumables)

13. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

14.

As the job holder you will be required to work in a variety of clinical environments. For your own protection you will be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and for this you will receive training. Frequent periods of light and occasional periods of moderate physical activity related to stores management may be expected. The service is delivered from a number of different sites and you may be required to travel between sites and to community locations.

i) PHYSICAL EFFORT:

This job requires a high degree of dexterity, skill and precision when performing blood collection. These procedures are repetitive and may involve the job holder standing, bending at the work station or pushing a trolley for extended periods.

This job requires the holder to participate in stock control, including the movement of goods from the point of delivery to the point of storage. This will require frequent movement of light and moderate loads up to 15kg . (e.g. blood tubes boxes)

There is normally no requirement to lift people, but there is a frequent requirement to assist people reach a suitable position for the procedure.

ii) MENTAL EFFORT:

The day to day repertoire of this job is diverse and the job holder can expect to be asked by supervisory staff to change tasks at short notice. In order to minimize errors concentration is required on a daily basis when undertaking procedures. Occasionally this may require prolonged concentration and is subject to workload.

The job holder is expected to perform an invasive clinical procedure. This task requires prolonged concentration so that personal safety is maintained and the patient receives appropriate care.

(e.g. avoidance of needle stick, risk of viral exposure/ infection).

There is no frequent requirement for the job holder to drive a vehicle apart from the services provided to community locations.

Please read Job Description attachment for more information

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 3 GCSEs including Maths and English

Experience

Essential

• Venepuncture
• Able to work in a team.
• Able to work independently.

Desirable

• Knowledge of basic computer skills e.g. use of a computer.

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Flexible approach to work
• Good communicator
• Friendly attitude.
• Dexterity
• Basic computer skills
• Able to work weekends and BHs

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Venepuncture
• Numerate and literate
• Physically able to move around and between sites
• Physically able to assist in movement of moderate loads

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 details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS1 3EX

Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)