Phlebotomist Job at Clare|Matrix in Los Angeles

About CLARE|MATRIX: CLARE|MATRIX “C|M” is a nonprofit organization providing effective and compassionate treatment, recovery, and prevention services for alcoholism and substance use to individuals, families, and the community.

Since 1970 CLARE|MATRIX has provided quality substance use and mental health treatment to men, women, and youth in southern California.

Through programs run by a compassionate, committed, results-oriented team of counselors, therapists, and administrators, CLARE|MATRIX continues to build its reputation as a leader in evidence-based treatment practices and continues to break new ground in the areas of positive outcomes, outreach and community involvement.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, CLARE|MATRIX maintains multiple facilities in the Southern California region, providing services to participants in a manner consistent with its Core Values: Compassion, Teamwork, Integrity, Empowerment, Adaptability and Equality.

The following is representative of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the job, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

Summary:

Under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, with minimum latitude for independent judgement and decision, the Phlebotomist at our Opioid Treatment Program “OTP” plays a vital role in supporting the treatment and care of patients receiving methadone and treatment for opioid use disorder. This role primarily involves performing blood draws for clinical testing, ensuring accurate sample collection, processing, documentation, and maintaining a safe and compassionate environment for patients in recovery while adhering strictly to all legal and regulatory requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Collection and Handling
   1. Perform venipunctures, finger sticks, hard sticks, and other blood collection procedures accurately and safely.
   2. Collect specimens in accordance with medical and laboratory guidelines, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
   3. Administer tests including but not limited to urinalysis, TB, pregnancy, and breath alcohol tests to patients.
   4. Refer and follow-up on patients with positive TB tests to ensure chest X-ray has been completed.

1. Patient Interaction
   1. Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, explaining procedures and addressing concerns.
   2. Practice empathy and professionalism, particularly when working with patients in withdrawal or experiencing emotional distress.
   3. Establish and maintain a positive rapport with patients, many of whom may experience anxiety or discomfort during blood collection procedures.

1. Testing and Documentation
   1. Ensure accurate labeling and documentation of specimens for testing by accurately and properly preparing and labeling specimens for analysis following strict chain-of-custody protocols. Prepare specimens for pick-up by laboratory vendor.
   2. Maintain accurate records of all specimen collections and ensure proper documentation in patient EHR files to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations and clinic protocols.
   3. Document all patient interactions, specimen collection details, and test results in the clinic’s electronic medical record (EMR) system and ensure correct coding for billing purposes.

1. Safety and Compliance
   1. Adhere to all infection control protocols, OSHA standards, HIPAA regulations and company policies to ensure patient safety and confidentiality.
   2. Adhere to all regulatory and safety standards, including infection control, bloodborne pathogen precautions, and proper handling and disposal of medical waste.
   3. Follow the clinic’s policies for handling patient samples and ensure they are processed and stored according to company requirements, laws, and regulations.

1. Equipment Maintenance and Supplies
   1. Ensure that all equipment is properly sterilized, maintained, and in good working condition.
   2. Monitor and track phlebotomy supplies, including but not limited to needles, tubes, and gloves, and alert management when stock needs replenishment.

Teamwork and Collaboration

1. Report directly to Physician, Physician's Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner on patient medical issues.
2. Collaborate with cross-functional, and multidisciplinary teams including, but not limited to Department Heads, Counselors, therapists, case managers, and medical professionals to ensure comprehensive participant care.
3. Participate in staff meetings, one-on-one meetings with supervisor(s), and other meetings as required.
4. Participate in in-service training, and continuing education to maintain eligibility for the role. Maximize learning opportunities by remaining receptive to constructive feedback and utilizing support available from your supervisor and others.
5. Maintain a good knowledge and understanding of CLARE|MATRIX’s mission, vision, & philosophy.
6. Contribute to a healthy work environment by cultivating and maintaining appropriate boundaries and a professional demeanor at all times.
7. Communicate on a direct and timely basis about needs and problems as they arise.
8. Ensure health and safety regulations are upheld to CLARE|MATRIX standards.
9. Ensure standards of conduct are upheld to CLARE|MATRIX standards.
10. Ensure a community environment is maintained.

Secondary Areas of Responsibility

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Must have a diploma from an accredited school or college with the designation of “Phlebotomist”.
2. Must have achieved sobriety of at least one year.
3. Must have current CPR and First Aid certification or obtain within 30 days from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
4. Must complete all pre-employment requirements including a Livescan and physical.
5. Must complete all Learning Management System “LMS” assignments by 30 days of employment.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

1. Experience in a rehabilitation or recovery center setting preferred. Experience in a behavioral health setting is also appropriate.
2. Appropriate sensitivity, genuine compassion and empathy to work well with diverse populations.
3. Working knowledge and understanding of the clinical environment.
4. Self-starter with the ability to independently prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
5. Sound judgement and discernment.
6. Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including social skills.
7. A commitment to, and a passion for, the mission, vision and values of CLARE|MATRIX.
8. Effective computer skills, especially Microsoft Office Suite.
9. Organized and detail oriented.
10. Effective time management, verbal, and written skills.
11. Self-motivated and able to effectively and accurately follow directions and carry out job duties and responsibilities.
12. Thrive in a fast-paced environment.
13. Collaborative teamwork abilities.
14. Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
15. Sound judgement and discernment.

Physical Demands:

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands overhead or below the waist, and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to lift, carry, push or pull up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

The candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions.

Medical History:

All employees whose functions require or necessitate contact with participants, or in food preparation shall complete a health screening report or a health questionnaire. A Health screening report or health questionnaire will be provided upon hire. For all residential employees a health screening report, be completed and signed by a medical practitioner signature for clearance. All outpatient employees will complete at minimum a self-report screening questionnaire.

A TB test is to be conducted under licensed medical supervision not more than 60 calendar days prior to or 7 calendar days after employment and renewed annually from the date of the last tuberculosis test. Staff with a known record of tuberculosis or record of positive testing shall not be required to obtain a tuberculosis skin test. Unless there is documentation that the staff completed at least 6 months of preventive therapy, the staff shall be required to obtain, within 45 calendar days of employment, a chest x-ray result and a physician’s statement that the incumbent does not have communicable tuberculosis and has been under regular care and monitoring for tuberculosis. A chest x-ray within the prior 6 months is acceptable. The physician’s statement shall be renewed annually.

Work Environment:

This job will be primarily located at the CLARE|MATRIX facilities in Los Angeles, California. This job is primarily in a clinical office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. The work environment is fast-paced and dynamic. The work requires the ability to work in a confined area. While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the job holder will encounter. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Disclaimer: The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship for the Company. Furthermore, job descriptions may change over time as requirements and employee skill levels change. The Company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Conclusion: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. But this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at CLARE|MATRIX: CLARE|MATRIX is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic, including race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful alien status, ancestry, age, marital status, or protected veteran status and any other protected status and will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of a disability. We support an inclusive workplace where associates excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. No qualified applicant will be denied employment sole on the basis of having or not having a prior history of alcoholism or other drug addiction.