Healthcare Settings and the Role of the Phlebotomy Technician

Healthcare Settings and the Role of the Phlebotomy Technician

Laboratory Accreditation

  • Laboratories are not legally required to be accredited, but they may be officially approved by independent organizations.
  • Accreditation ensures that laboratories meet specific standards of quality and competence.
  • Common accrediting agencies include:
    • The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation
    • The Joint Commission (jointcommission.org)
    • The College of American Pathologists

Clinical Laboratory Organizational Chart

  • A typical clinical laboratory has an organizational structure with different roles and responsibilities as seen in Figure 1-5.
  • The organizational chart shows the line of authority from the director to the medical technologists and phlebotomy technicians.
Key Personnel and Their Responsibilities
  • Laboratory Director:
    • Responsible for the overall administration of the laboratory.
    • Ensures compliance with regulations.
    • Usually a physician or Ph.D. scientist specializing in pathology.
  • Laboratory Manager:
    • Responsible for day-to-day operations of the laboratory.
    • May be a physician, Ph.D. scientist, or have a lower-level degree with relevant experience.
  • Technical Consultant(s):
    • Responsible for the technical aspects of testing in the laboratory.
    • May be multiple consultants for different departments (e.g., chemistry, microbiology).
    • May be a physician, Ph.D. scientist, or have a lower-level degree with relevant experience.
  • Clinical Consultant(s):
    • Responsible for the clinical aspects of testing.
    • Consults with the laboratory's clients about patient diagnosis, treatment, and management.
    • Must be qualified as a laboratory director or be a licensed physician.
  • Testing Personnel (Medical Technologists):
    • Responsible for performing ordered tests on patient specimens.
    • Minimum requirement is a high school diploma and documented training in analysis of patient specimens.
  • Phlebotomy Technicians:
    • Responsible for collecting patient specimens.
    • Requirements vary but generally include a high school diploma and documented training and/or experience.
    • Certification is usually required.

Laboratory Departments

Chemistry
  • This department analyzes blood and other specimens for the presence of particular chemicals.
  • Examples of tests done in the chemistry department include cholesterol, glucose, and electrolyte levels.
Hematology
  • Hematology is the study of blood, blood diseases, and coagulation (blood clotting).
  • The numbers and types of blood cells in specimens may be tested.
  • Details about the blood, such as its ability to carry oxygen, are also part of hematology.