Michelle Cowles
7517 Smokestack Rd,CA
Summary
Dedicated phlebotomist with expertise in venipuncture and patient care, honed at UCI Medical Center. Proven track record of enhancing laboratory efficiency and ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. Recognized for exceptional communication skills and a compassionate approach, contributing to improved patient experiences and streamlined specimen processing.
Have excellent customer service skills and data entry throughout the years of working.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Laboratory Phlebotomist
UCI Medical Center
Yorba Linda, CA
10.2017 - Current
- Collected blood samples efficiently, ensuring patient comfort and adherence to safety protocols.
- Processed specimens for laboratory analysis, maintaining integrity and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Maintained accurate records of patient information and sample tracking within laboratory systems.
- Assisted in training new staff on phlebotomy techniques and best practices for patient care.
- Performed venipunctures and capillary draws with precision, minimizing discomfort and complications.
- Provided excellent customer service with effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families, and hospital staff.
- Enhanced laboratory efficiency by accurately labeling and organizing specimens for timely processing.
- Increased accuracy of test results by carefully following established procedures for specimen collection and handling.
- Improved patient comfort by utilizing a gentle, empathetic approach during blood draw procedures.
- Ensured proper identification of patients through diligent verification of personal information before each blood draw procedure.
- Contributed to a positive workplace culture by actively participating in team meetings, offering constructive feedback and suggestions for improvements, and providing support to colleagues as needed.
- Maintained patient confidentiality by diligently following HIPAA regulations and ensuring that sensitive information was protected at all times.
- Reduced wait times for patients by quickly and efficiently completing phlebotomy tasks.
- Assisted in maintaining adequate inventory levels of phlebotomy supplies, preventing shortages that could disrupt workflow or compromise patient care quality.
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment by adhering to strict sanitation protocols.
- Consistently met high performance metrics related to puncture success rate, minimal discomfort experienced by patients, and the number of specimens collected per shift.
- Upheld rigorous standards for infection control, ensuring the safety of both patients and colleagues through consistent adherence to protective measures like glove use and hand hygiene practices.
- Provided guidance and support to laboratory personnel.
- Followed established safety protocols and standards to minimize risk of infection and injury.
- Adhered to HIPAA standards and maintained patient confidentiality in all interactions.
- Reviewed and processed requisitions for laboratory tests.
- Assisted in training and onboarding new phlebotomists.
- Protected patients by following infection control, sharps disposal, and biohazardous waste disposal procedures.
- Verified patients' identification for proper sample collection.
- Verified proper storage and transportation of specimens to laboratories.
- Collected blood samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and regulations.
- Performed venipunctures, finger sticks and heel sticks for both adult and pediatric patients.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles, and straight needles.
- Drew blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Participated in continuing education programs to stay up to date on new technologies and procedures.
- Used personal protective equipment correctly to protect coworkers and patients.
- Conducted venipuncture and other CT procedures.
- Established and maintained positive working relationships with patients, staff and clinical personnel to build trust and camaraderie.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Organized daily work based on collection priority.
- Addressed questions and concerns to educate patients on collection process and procedures.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Assembled tourniquets, needles, and blood collection devices to prepare work trays.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection.
- Packaged and shipped specimens to central lab daily.
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Supported optimal patient care by performing venipuncture using various techniques such as butterfly needles, straight needles, and fingerstick methods.
- Continuously expanded knowledge of phlebotomy best practices through participation in ongoing training programs and workshops.
- Contributed to positive patient experiences by providing clear explanations of the phlebotomy process and addressing any concerns or questions proactively.
- Streamlined testing processes with proper centrifugation techniques, resulting in faster turnaround times for test results delivery to physicians.
- Ensured accurate test results by properly conducting quality control procedures on laboratory equipment and instruments.
- Facilitated timely diagnosis and treatment by promptly delivering specimens to appropriate departments or external facilities.
- Strengthened interdepartmental communication by effectively collaborating with medical staff to address any concerns or discrepancies in test orders.
Customer Service Representative
Dr.Wang and Dr.Chan Medical Office
Diamond Bar, CA
07.2015 - 10.2017
- Collected blood samples efficiently, ensuring patient comfort and adherence to safety protocols.
- Processed specimens for laboratory analysis, maintaining integrity and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Maintained accurate records of patient information and sample tracking within laboratory systems.
- Assisted in training new staff on phlebotomy techniques and best practices for patient care.
- Performed venipunctures and capillary draws with precision, minimizing discomfort and complications.
- Provided excellent customer service with effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families, and hospital staff.
- Enhanced laboratory efficiency by accurately labeling and organizing specimens for timely processing.
- Increased accuracy of test results by carefully following established procedures for specimen collection and handling.
- Improved patient comfort by utilizing a gentle, empathetic approach during blood draw procedures.
- Ensured proper identification of patients through diligent verification of personal information before each blood draw procedure.
- Contributed to a positive workplace culture by actively participating in team meetings, offering constructive feedback and suggestions for improvements, and providing support to colleagues as needed.
- Maintained patient confidentiality by diligently following HIPAA regulations and ensuring that sensitive information was protected at all times.
- Reduced wait times for patients by quickly and efficiently completing phlebotomy tasks.
- Assisted in maintaining adequate inventory levels of phlebotomy supplies, preventing shortages that could disrupt workflow or compromise patient care quality.
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment by adhering to strict sanitation protocols.
- Consistently met high performance metrics related to puncture success rate, minimal discomfort experienced by patients, and the number of specimens collected per shift.
- Upheld rigorous standards for infection control, ensuring the safety of both patients and colleagues through consistent adherence to protective measures like glove use and hand hygiene practices.
- Provided guidance and support to laboratory personnel.
- Followed established safety protocols and standards to minimize risk of infection and injury.
- Adhered to HIPAA standards and maintained patient confidentiality in all interactions.
- Reviewed and processed requisitions for laboratory tests.
- Assisted in training and onboarding new phlebotomists.
- Protected patients by following infection control, sharps disposal, and biohazardous waste disposal procedures.
- Verified patients' identification for proper sample collection.
- Verified proper storage and transportation of specimens to laboratories.
- Collected blood samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and regulations.
- Performed venipunctures, finger sticks and heel sticks for both adult and pediatric patients.
- Collected blood samples using vacutainer tubes, tourniquets, syringes, butterfly needles, and straight needles.
- Drew blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Centrifuged blood samples as outlined in clinical protocols.
- Participated in continuing education programs to stay up to date on new technologies and procedures.
- Used personal protective equipment correctly to protect coworkers and patients.
- Conducted venipuncture and other CT procedures.
- Established and maintained positive working relationships with patients, staff and clinical personnel to build trust and camaraderie.
- Stocked phlebotomy cart or carrier with appropriate supplies.
- Organized daily work based on collection priority.
- Addressed questions and concerns to educate patients on collection process and procedures.
- Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport.
- Assembled tourniquets, needles, and blood collection devices to prepare work trays.
- Tracked collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection.
- Packaged and shipped specimens to central lab daily.
- Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.
- Supported optimal patient care by performing venipuncture using various techniques such as butterfly needles, straight needles, and fingerstick methods.
- Continuously expanded knowledge of phlebotomy best practices through participation in ongoing training programs and workshops.
- Contributed to positive patient experiences by providing clear explanations of the phlebotomy process and addressing any concerns or questions proactively.
- Streamlined testing processes with proper centrifugation techniques, resulting in faster turnaround times for test results delivery to physicians.
- Ensured accurate test results by properly conducting quality control procedures on laboratory equipment and instruments.
- Facilitated timely diagnosis and treatment by promptly delivering specimens to appropriate departments or external facilities.
- Strengthened interdepartmental communication by effectively collaborating with medical staff to address any concerns or discrepancies in test orders.
Skills
- Order of draw
- Blood collection techniques
- HIPAA compliance
- Adaptable to change
- Capillary puncture
- Sample preparation
- Specimen handling
- Medical terminology
- Venipuncture expertise
- Geriatric phlebotomy
- Proper labeling
- Communication
- Patient identification
- Venipuncture
- Patient care
- Sample and specimen collection
- Specimen labeling procedures
- Patient confidentiality
- Patient support
- Health and safety
- Data entry
- HIPAA
- Infection control
- Technical troubleshooting
- Staff management
- Quality control
- Paperwork processing
- Recording data
- Emergency response training
- Quality assurance
- Patient assessment
- Regulatory compliance
- Medical office administration
- Medical records review
- Sanitation and sterilization
- On-site testing
- Sample labeling
- Biohazard policy compliance
- Teamwork
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Butterfly venipuncture
- Excellent communication
- HIPAA regulations
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Phlebotomy technician (PT)
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Laboratory Phlebotomist
UCI Medical Center
10.2017 - Current
Customer Service Representative
Dr.Wang and Dr.Chan Medical Office
07.2015 - 10.2017