MHT Phlebotomist

Job Summary

The Mental Health Technician (MHT)/Phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples from patients, while also utilizing specialized skills to calmly interact with individuals who may be experiencing anxiety or distress related to the blood draw process, ensuring patient comfort and safety throughout the procedure. When not performing phlebotomist duties, observes and assists assigned mental health patients or substance abuse patients and helps with admission activities. MHTs are responsible for the overall maintenance of a safe environment in either Adult or Adolescent Admissions and to ensure safety of patients and staff. MHTs participate in the activities outlined below and carrying out general nursing assistance necessary to assess adolescent, adult, or older adult patients admitting to the hospital.

Essential Duties:

• Serves patients by identifying the best method for retrieving blood samples and other specimens, preparing specimens for laboratory testing, and performing screening procedures
• Supplying diagnostic notes to physicians, other healthcare professionals, and hospitals
• Verifies patient identification and explains sampling procedures to patients
• Obtains blood specimens by performing venipunctures and finger sticks
• Maintains specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following department procedures, and observing isolation procedures
• Analyzing blood specimens using the correct testing equipment, when necessary
• Cleaning, maintaining, and calibrating laboratory equipment used in the drawing and testing of blood specimens
• Ordering laboratory supplies, as needed
• Conduct Q15s and 1:1 in accordance with hospital standards. Ask for assistance when other tasks take priority. Ensure there are no gaps in observations
• Take direction from RN or LVN. Float to any unit as needed. Do not push back
• Maintain boundaries with patients and employees
• Observe patient for change in behavior. Work on de-escalation prior to a code. Notify RN to evaluate and assess changes in patient behavior
• Respond to all codes (If you are making rounds or on a 1:1 ensure someone has signed the Q15s before departing. If you are the only one available for observations, continue to make your observations)
• Assist patients with good hygiene
• Help maintain unit cleanliness
• Know the daily schedule and keep patients on track for all events
• Speak to patients respectfully, recognize that how you speak may escalate to a code
• Use appropriate phone etiquette for quality calls and address all customer questions and concerns
• Conduct soft safety search of patient. Wand, check shoes, pockets, etc. Inform RN if contraband is found
• Assist the RN in taking vital signs if enough MHTs are available to meet Q15 and 1:1 requirement
• Inventory patient belongings and alert RN if medications are found
• Escort patient if sent out MOT
• Escort patients to eat or other activities
• Treats patients with dignity and respect
• Understand patient rights
  
  

Responsible for patient safety and wellbeing.

Requirements

Job Requirements

Education and/or Licensure - High School degree (or equivalent). Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certificate issued by the state of Texas.

Experience - Prior experience as a phlebotomist technician. Prior psychiatric healthcare experience helpful.

Additional Requirements - Must possess or obtain a valid CPR certification and SAMA training within 30 days of hire.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Obtain adequate blood samples from patients whose veins are difficult to locate, or from patients who may be hostile or unstable
• Discern when to request assistance in drawing blood
• Must be able to concentrate on work amidst distractions such as noise, conversations, and foot traffic; must be able to consistently meet deadlines; must be flexible in work hours in order to meet patient and organization operating needs
• Must maintain self-control in volatile or hostile customer services interactions
• High school level reading and writing skills; acceptable oral and written communication skills along with legible handwriting
• Customer service skills in face-to-face interactions with dealing courteously with patients, the public, and other staff within the organization
• Use of appropriate social skills, including demonstration and respect for patients and staff; empathy toward patients; skills in teaching or assisting with activities of daily living helpful
• Must be able to work independently, in a result restricted physical environment for extended periods of time
• Skill to independently interpret reference materials to comply with law, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc
• Ability to apply time management practices to prioritize, schedule and complete work effectively to comply with mandated policies and deadlines
• Ability to work on multiple tasks or parts of tasks simultaneously to ensure timely completion of work activities
  
  
  

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions

Perform the following with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, and be able to perceive the attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, and/or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips
• Ability to express and exchange ideas via spoken word during activities in which they must convey detail or important spoken instructions to others accurately, sometimes quickly and loudly
• Hearing to perceive the nature of sound with no less than 40 db loss @ Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz with or without correction; ability to perceive detailed information orally and make fine discriminations in sound
• Perform repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers. Individual must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and to be able to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects
• Work requires a minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction that will enable people in the role to complete administrative and clerical tasks, as well as inspect and analyze
• While worker may possibly be subjected to temperature changes, the worker is generally not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions as the work is predominantly inside
  
  
  

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Healthcare Spending Account
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• PTO Plan with Holiday Premium Pay
• Life Insurance (Supplemental Life, Term, and Universal plans are also available.)
• Short and Long-Term Disability (with additional buy-in opportunities)