Phlebotomist in Calne

The post holder must work as part of a team, have the ability to organise and prioritise their own workload on a day-to-day basis, and observe strict rules about confidentiality at all times. They must also know the limits of their own capabilities and seek direction from a Practice nurse, GP, or Practice Manager. Working under the supervision of the practice nursing team and strictly in accordance with specific practice or national guidelines and protocols, the Phlebotomist will be responsible for performing venepuncture to obtain blood samples from patients only as the result of a direct referral from a GP or nurse practitioner.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Ensuring that the patient is as comfortable and relaxed as possible and confirming their agreement to the collection of a blood sample.
• Collection of sample(s) of blood in accordance with training and procedures.
• Ensuring samples are stored in appropriate containers.
• Accurate, legible labelling of all samples to confirm patient identity.
• Checking patient identification against GP/nurse request and confirming with patient whenever possible.
• Recording collection of blood sample in patient record in accordance with practice procedure.
• Ensuring that samples are dispatched to the appropriate laboratories in a timely fashion.
• Ensuring that anomalies are reported to a senior member of staff.
• Notifying the GP/nurse of any significant patient issues.
• Liaising with and assisting members of the administrative team.

Confidentiality:

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately. In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Health & Safety:

The post-holder will implement and lead on a full range of promotion and management of their own and others health and safety and infection control as defined in the practice Health & Safety policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):

• Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines.
• Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines.
• Responsible for the correct and safe management of the specimens process, including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage and transport arrangements.
• Management and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the practice, including provision, ordering, availability and ongoing correct usage by staff.
• Responsible for hand hygiene across the practice.
• Ownership of infection control and clinically based patient care protocols, and implementation of those protocols across the practice.
• Active observation of current working practices across the practice in relation to infection control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed and weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate.
• Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process.
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills, and initiate and manage the training of others across the full range of infection control and patient processes.
• Monitoring practice facilities and equipment in relation to infection control, ensuring that provision of hand cleansing facilities, wipes etc are sufficient to ensure a good clinical working environment.
• Safe management of sharps procedures including training, use, storage and disposal.
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards.
• Initiation of remedial / corrective action where needed or escalation to responsible management.
• Actively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised.
• Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with other sector managers.
• Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum twice annually).
• Routine management of own team / team areas, and maintenance of work space standards.
• Waste management including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection.
• Spillage control procedures, management and training.
• Decontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment maintenance.
• Maintenance of sterile environments.
• Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications and Training:

• Phlebotomy qualification NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Venepuncture.
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Strong IT skills.
• Clear, polite telephone manner.
• Effective time management (planning & organising).
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously.
• Good attention to detail.
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure.

Experience:

• Experience of working in a primary care environment.
• Experience of working with the general public.
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting.

Health and Safety Awareness:

• Basic first aid knowledge.
• Basic knowledge about Blood Borne Diseases.

Personal Qualities:

• Polite and confident.
• Flexible and cooperative.
• Good attention to detail.
• High levels of integrity and loyalty.
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort.
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
• Motivated.
• Problem solver.
• Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations.

Other requirements:

• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.