Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
BusinessAnalyst

Sara Smith

Independence,MO

Summary

A hardworking and reliable Phlebotomist and Caregiver focused on helping clients lead fulfilling lives by managing health-related conditions. Trained in obtaining blood specimens, medication administration, first aid, wound care, and memory care and offering top-notch customer comfort and blood drawing abilities. Motivated, well organized and compassionate with great relationship building skills. Eager to continue to learn and grow as a Phlebotomy or Caregiver professional.

**Experienced with patients with disabilities and acute ailments. Well-versed in assisting patients with daily living tasks. Committed to improving patient well-being through personal care and interactive engagement.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Caregiver, Special Needs

Help at Home
Kansas City, MO
11.2022 - Current
  • Created safe and positive living situations for clients by communicating with family and other staff about concerns or challenges.
  • Completed weekly and monthly reports summarizing activities.
  • Observed patients for changes in physical, emotional, mental or behavioral condition and injuries.
  • Drove clients to shop for groceries, attend doctor appointments and run errands.
  • Assisted with meal planning to meet nutritional plans.
  • Observed changes in behavior or physical condition that may require medical attention and reported them promptly to supervisor.
  • Helped maintain the safety of the client's environment by removing hazards such as rugs or furniture that could cause falls.
  • Respected the rights of each individual client while maintaining confidentiality of all personal information.
  • Maintained accurate records of services provided, changes in client condition, medications administered and other pertinent information.
  • Followed care plan and directions to administer medications.
  • Aided with mobility and independence for disabled individuals and continually monitored safety.
  • Prepared meals according to dietary requirements and assisted with feeding when necessary.
  • Accompanied clients to social events such as movies or plays.
  • Examined and treated patient lacerations, contusions and physical symptoms and referred patients to other medical professionals.
  • Educated families about available resources for home health care services in the local community.
  • Encouraged independence while promoting self-care skills such as bathing, grooming and toileting needs.
  • Improved patient outlook and daily living through compassionate care.
  • Ensured compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and standards governing home health care services.
  • Maintained clean and well-organized environment for client happiness and safety.
  • Performed light housekeeping tasks related to the client's care such as laundry and changing linens.
  • Assisted clients with maintaining good personal hygiene.
  • Obtained sources of entertainment for clients to provide full and enjoyable daily activities.
  • Maintained cleanliness of clients' environment by cleaning surfaces and washing clothes or dishes.
  • Planned and prepared healthy meals and snacks for clients and provided assistance with eating when necessary.
  • Recorded client status progress and challenges in logbooks and reports.

Traveling Phlebotomist/examiner

Apps Paramedical Services
Independence, MO
09.2017 - 09.2022
  • Extracted blood specimens in accordance with lab guidelines and procedures with minimal bruising to patients
  • Prepared tools, equipment, and machinery to safely draw blood and transport samples
  • Collected units of blood for medical examinations through venipuncture and capillary puncture
  • Explained collection procedures to patients, answered questions and helped each person feel comfortable with the process
  • Carefully labeled and packaged samples for transportation to the laboratory, minimizing errors and protecting specimen vials from damage
  • Disposed of biohazard fluids, tissue and collection devices safely and securely to minimize the risk of spreading diseases and bacteria.
  • Troubleshot any issues that arose during the course of specimen collection or testing.

Phlebotomist

Saint Luke's Northland Hospital
Kansas City, MO
09.2021 - 06.2022
  • Located veins suitable for puncture to draw blood using sterilized needles, vials and other equipment.
  • Centrifuged blood specimens in test tubes and capillary tubes to separate cells and sediment from blood serum.
  • Observed patient for unusual reactions or events to take appropriate action under established guidelines.
  • Reported any abnormal results or trends to supervisor or laboratory manager.
  • Identified patients using proper procedures prior to specimen collection.
  • Verified collection orders and communicated discrepancies to nurses.
  • Conducted various blood tests and updated results into paper and electronic charts.
  • Monitored inventory levels of supplies used in phlebotomy services.
  • Transported specimens following established protocol for temperature and light.
  • Followed all safety protocols when handling hazardous materials.
  • Adhered to HIPAA guidelines regarding patient privacy.
  • Promoted blood specimen integrity for laboratory testing using accurate selection of collection tubes and correct technique.
  • Processed samples accurately and efficiently.
  • Assisted in the training of new phlebotomists.
  • Performed quality control tests on collected specimens.
  • Prepared specimens for transport to external laboratories.
  • Educated patients on proper blood draw techniques.
  • Documented patient information into electronic medical records system.
  • Provided excellent customer service while interacting with patients.
  • Calibrated equipment according to manufacturer specifications.
  • Collected specimens from pediatric, adult, geriatric, and special needs patients.
  • Maintained accurate records of collected specimens and test results.
  • Obtained blood samples for medical testing and transfusion through venipuncture or capillary puncture.
  • Assisted in the preparation of laboratory specimens for analysis and testing.
  • Ensured compliance with federal regulations governing laboratory procedures.
  • Collected specimens for drug screens, paternity tests and alcohol tests.
  • Performed venipuncture and other blood collection procedures according to established standards.
  • Delivered quality patient care by completing accurate and timely collection and transport of clinical specimens according to established procedures.
  • Prepared and packaged specimens for courier transport.
  • Verified patient information prior to specimen collection.
  • Responded quickly and effectively to emergency situations.
  • Maintained fully-stocked phlebotomy cart, carrier and station.
  • Upheld donor confidentiality throughout intake and collection process.
  • Verified quality of specimens by centrifuging specimens for logistics courier to pickup.
  • Interacted with patients to gather and record data prior to blood draws.
  • Obtained variety of blood samples through venipuncture or capillary puncture using syringes, butterfly needles and straight needles.
  • Mentored newly hired medical personnel in phlebotomy techniques and protocols.
  • Offered snacks and beverages to blood and plasma donors to maintain proper sugar levels.
  • Identified best veins for intravenous lines and blood draws, avoiding unnecessary pokes.
  • Enforced infection control and sharps disposal procedures to protect patients, co-workers and self.
  • Collected specimen samples and transported to laboratory for processing.
  • Labeled blood vials with critical information like time of collection, date and patient name.
  • Counseled patients to ease fears, explain procedures and enhance cooperation during blood draws.

Caregiver

Home Instead Senior Care
Overland Park, KS
09.2015 - 07.2017
  • Provided dignified care to residents in assisted living and memory care communities, including those with all stages of dementia and Alzeheimer's disease
  • Encouraged social interaction of clients and participated in activities that encouraged reading, games, and activities
  • Assisted residents in managing daily living including lifting, bathing, and feeding support
  • Assisted with meal planning to meet nutritional plans.
  • Observed patients for changes in physical, emotional, mental or behavioral condition and injuries.
  • Created safe and positive living situations for clients by communicating with family and other staff about concerns or challenges.
  • Evaluated patient's medical condition on a daily basis; maintained records and files of patient's medical records and prescriptions
  • Assisted the patient in day-to-day basic functions and prepared patient's meals according to meal plans
  • Performed household chores to ensure cleanliness, safety, and livability
  • Maintained case notes to document resident progress and condition
  • Smoothly managed basic patient support, including emptying bedpans, recording intake and output and serving food trays
  • Supported patients with daily activities and attending to personal hygiene, transporting patients, and assisting them in walking and exercising
  • Responded appropriately to symptoms and behavior
  • Displayed effective communication skills in initiating and maintaining therapeutic relationships with patients
  • Performed light housekeeping, including cleaning patient rooms and changing sheets on beds
  • Monitored intake of food and medication and alerted staff to deterioration in patient conditions
  • Maintained patients' hygiene by assisting with baths and toileting
  • Monitored patient medications and encouraged them to take medications and nutritional supplements as prescribed
  • Applied correct aseptic and sterile techniques and used appropriate personal protective equipment
  • Helped patients with daily living requirements by bathing, dressing and assisting with mobility needs
  • Attended to comfort of patients by adjusting bed settings, completing timely turns, and repositioning individuals with utmost care
  • Acted empathetically with patients to brighten outlooks, frequently engaging individuals in conversation
  • Helped residents with daily living tasks including feeding, dressing, and personal hygiene.
  • Supported bathing, dressing and personal care needs.
  • Performed light housekeeping tasks related to the client's care such as laundry and changing linens.
  • Provided companionship for elderly clients by engaging in conversation and participating in recreational activities.
  • Maintained accurate records of services provided, changes in client condition, medications administered and other pertinent information.
  • Drove clients to shop for groceries, attend doctor appointments and run errands.
  • Reported concerns to nurse supervisor to promote optimal care.
  • Improved patient outlook and daily living through compassionate care.
  • Prepared meals according to dietary requirements and assisted with feeding when necessary.
  • Monitored vital signs including blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate.
  • Administered prescribed medications on a timely basis following care plan instructions.
  • Laundered clothing and bedding to prevent infection.
  • Ensured compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and standards governing home health care services.
  • Assisted with ambulation by providing support during transfers from bed to chair or wheelchair.
  • Transported clients to doctor appointments and other errands using wheelchair accessible vehicles.
  • Maintained clean and well-organized environment for client happiness and safety.
  • Observed changes in behavior or physical condition that may require medical attention and reported them promptly to supervisor.
  • Helped maintain the safety of the client's environment by removing hazards such as rugs or furniture that could cause falls.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
05.2027

High School Diploma: English -

Raytown South High School
Raytown, MO
05.2006

Skills

  • Medical terminology and equipment
  • Clean and sanitize equipment
  • Handle specimens
  • Update logs and reports
  • Health and safety
  • Patient assessments and care
  • Housekeeping
  • Meal Preparation
  • Feeding Assistance
  • Laundry Management
  • Medical Chart Documentation
  • Skill Building
  • Behavior Management
  • Caring Companionship
  • Injury Prevention
  • Infection Control
  • Patient Ambulation
  • Emergency Response
  • Safety Compliance
  • Time Management
  • CPR Certification
  • Care Planning
  • Client Transportation
  • Light Housekeeping
  • Medication Management
  • Problem Identification
  • First Aid Certification
  • Proper Phone Etiquette
  • Documentation and Recordkeeping
  • Critical Thinking
  • Decision-Making
  • Laptop and Tablet Operation
  • Relationship Building
  • Team Collaboration
  • Supportive Personality
  • Attentive to People
  • Medication Administration
  • Bedside Care
  • Clear Communication
  • Meal Planning and Preparation
  • Household Cleaning
  • Fast Learner
  • Coordination Skills
  • Wound Care
  • Vitals Monitoring and Documentation
  • Cooking Meals
  • Ability to Lift
  • Childcare Experience
  • Client Satisfaction

Certification

  • Adult/infant First aid, CPR, and AED certified through The American Red Cross-2023 good through may 2025
  • Nationally Certified Caregiver-had since 2021
  • Certified Medication Technician-had since 2022

Timeline

Caregiver, Special Needs

Help at Home
11.2022 - Current

Phlebotomist

Saint Luke's Northland Hospital
09.2021 - 06.2022

Traveling Phlebotomist/examiner

Apps Paramedical Services
09.2017 - 09.2022

Caregiver

Home Instead Senior Care
09.2015 - 07.2017

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Walden University

High School Diploma: English -

Raytown South High School
Sara Smith