Phlebotomist III- Float

Job Title: Phlebotomist III – Float (Essex County)

Job Description

This Phlebotomist III Float position provides high-quality specimen collection and support across multiple medical offices in the Essex County area. You will perform blood draws and other specimen collections, ensure accurate labeling and handling, assist with troubleshooting and workflow improvements, and help maintain a safe and efficient laboratory environment. This role requires an experienced phlebotomist who is comfortable working in a fast-paced setting, floating between locations, and collaborating closely with a clinical team.

Responsibilities

• Perform venipunctures and blood draws using straight needles and butterfly needles with a high degree of accuracy and patient care.
• Collect and store blood, urine, fecal, and other specimens according to established procedures and test requirements.
• Clearly and courteously explain venipuncture and other specimen collection procedures to patients to ensure understanding and comfort.
• Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes and verify that all information is complete and accurate.
• Label, centrifuge, split, and freeze specimens as required by specific test orders, maintaining specimen integrity.
• Check all test requisitions or computer-generated labels against the script or order to ensure 100% accuracy.
• Package specimens for transport following established protocols to maintain proper temperature and integrity.
• Store specimen samples at the required temperature and place them in appropriate collection containers or tubes with accurate labeling.
• Assist in troubleshooting specimen collection and processing issues and make recommendations to improve workflow.
• Record maintenance data and perform decontamination tasks in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Update patient information in the appropriate systems accurately and in a timely manner.
• Answer telephone calls and provide laboratory results or information as needed to satisfy inquiries, following proper procedures.
• Fully understand and interpret physicians’ orders related to laboratory tests and specimen requirements.
• Attend and complete annual department trainings and other required educational sessions.
• Understand and comply with OSHA and DEP regulations and all applicable safety and compliance standards.
• Work as part of a team within each doctor’s office, supporting colleagues to meet daily volume and quality expectations.
• Adapt to multiple practice locations as a float phlebotomist, maintaining consistent quality and service at each site.
• Perform approximately 40 blood draws per day in a doctor’s office environment while maintaining accuracy and patient care.

Essential Skills

• Valid phlebotomy certification for the state of employment, where required.
• Minimum of 5 years of phlebotomy experience, including hands-on venipuncture.
• Minimum of 6 months of work experience performing venipunctures in a fast-paced laboratory or hospital setting.
• Proven proficiency in performing blood draws using straight needles and butterfly needles.
• Demonstrated experience in labeling, centrifuging, splitting, freezing, and packaging specimens according to test requirements.
• Ability to accurately match laboratory requisitions to specimen tubes and verify orders against scripts or computer labels.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to 100% accuracy in specimen identification and handling.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for basic documentation and communication tasks.
• Ability to understand and follow physicians’ orders for laboratory testing and specimen collection.
• Knowledge of OSHA and DEP regulations and safe laboratory practices.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a clinical or doctor’s office setting.
• Capability to handle a high volume of blood draws (approximately 40 per day) while maintaining quality and patient care.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a fast-paced doctor’s office, lab, or hospital environment.
• Comfort working as a float phlebotomist and traveling between multiple medical office locations within the Essex County area.
• Strong verbal communication skills to clearly explain procedures and respond to patient and staff inquiries.
• Ability to troubleshoot issues in specimen collection and workflow and suggest improvements.
• Willingness to complete required hands-on training at the assigned location at the start of the role.
• Ability to read and relay laboratory results over the phone in a clear and professional manner.
• Color vision sufficient to meet role requirements, including accurate reading of labels and test indicators.

Work Environment

This is a float role based in a network of doctor’s offices in the Essex County area, including locations in East Orange, Newark, and Bloomfield. You will primarily work in outpatient medical office environments, performing approximately 40 b…