Lab Support Tech-Phlebotomist

Overview

UnityPoint-St Luke's Hospital – Full-Time, Days, M-F 8am-4:30pm. Interfaces the laboratory to its Reference Laboratory and Hospital Customers by performing complex reference laboratory patient registrations as well as registrations for hospital laboratory outpatients, in both the Hospital Information System as well as in the Laboratory Information System. Determines Reference Laboratory billing based on numerous location codes for each facility. Orders all testing for the hospital laboratory in the Laboratory Information System, receives electronic orders and completes appropriately, and determines and validates medical necessity of all lab orders in addition to obtaining appropriate diagnoses from providers.

Verifies the integrity of Reference Lab outreach shipments, performs specimen processing and communicates with Outreach Reference Clients and various hospital departments. Communicates specimen deliveries with laboratory couriers, communicates and distributes test results to providers, clients, and patients.

• Clinical Excellence/Patient Care:
  Provides specimen processing for reference laboratory outreach patient testing, initiates inpatient processing, requiring handling of patient specimens; assists lab outpatients in the collection process of specimens for testing; monitors patients during complex lab test procedures and when provider notification of test results is needed; uses the Lab and Mayo On-line test catalogs to ensure correct tests are ordered; assists patients with completing authorizations before release of test information;
  
  initiates and resolves patient specimen resolution processes; communicates with patients and families with compassion and empathy, both on the phone and at the lab department; informs patients of potential insurance denial, estimates costs, and obtains appropriate ABN or Insurance Waiver; completes daily quality audits of the patient lab record.
• Technical and Operational Expertise:
  Performs complex reference laboratory patient registrations in the Hospital Information System and Laboratory Information System with high accuracy; investigates insurance eligibility to prevent payment delays; manages pre-specimen collections and lab test label generation; obtains, verifies, and scans orders/documentation into the patient’s medical record; determines medical necessity and coding documentation in compliance with CMS and Health System Guidelines; researches National and Local Coverage Determinations;
  
  investigates denials for resolution; maintains knowledge of lab test order codes and handles electronic interfaced test orders; manages location codes for interfacing to ensure correct client/facility results; performs specimen processing and distribution with proper handling; conducts various lab business office functions within regulatory guidelines; uses lab CPT and diagnosis codes for billing; supports pathologists with related tasks; performs manual lab charge entries and Medicare Travel Charges;
  
  orders and maintains office supply inventory; collects and processes specimens including phlebotomy, labeling, centrifugation, and DOT/IATA-compliant transport; communicates specimen collection information and monitors interface orders.
• Communication And Promotion Of Educational
  
  Skills:
  
  Recognizes and communicates critical information and special requests during registration and order entry; provides clerical support for result reporting and distribution; communicates test results to providers, patients, and facilities in compliance with HIPAA; assists lab customers and routes calls as needed; coordinates with lab couriers for deliveries and specimen pickups; trains new staff in lab registration and business office functions; participates in on-call coverage on weekends and holidays.

• High School Diploma or equivalency required
• 1 year of work experience; proficiency with computer data entry
• If designated to drive, must obtain OSHA Bio-Hazard Certification prior to transporting and maintain annually
• Valid driver’s license for work-related driving
• Reads, writes, understands, and speaks fluent English
• Multicultural sensitivity
• Microsoft Office – basic computer skills
• Customer/patient focused; strong critical thinking and independent judgment
• Knowledge of lab CPT codes and diagnosis codes and ability to enter them in the patient’s record for billing to insurance