Role of Phlebotomists

• Vascular Access Procedure and Practice Guidelines (2023)
• NHS GG&C Acute Division Intravenous Flush Policy (2024)
• Prophylaxis against Gram Negative and Fungal Infections in Immunocompromised Babies, Children and Young People with a Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) – RHC-HAEM-ONC-046

• Medical, Nursing and Phlebotomy Staff
• Phlebotomist Training Pack
• Competency for Phlebotomist/HCSW use of Taurolock February 2020

• Order request forms ie Trakcare
• PPE
• Tray
• Syringes
• Filter Needle
• Clinell wipes
• Appropriate blood bottles
• Hepsal (if required)
• Normal Saline
• Taurolock
• Specimen bags
• Tourniquet (if required)
• Smart sites (if required)
• Port Protector
• HEPMA
• Sharps bin

5.1   Hours of Phlebotomy Service:

• 07:00 – 15:30
• 07:00 – 18:00

5.2   Remit of Phlebotomists:

• Schiehallion Ward
• Schiehallion Daycare
• Schiehallion patients boarding on other wards

5.3   Role of Phlebotomists:

• Phlebotomists can obtain blood samples by heel stab, thumb prick or accessing central venous devices or peripheral venous cannulae
• Clinical staff who wish the phlebotomy service to obtain a patient’s blood sample should complete and print off a request form(s) on Trakcare, detailing all necessary tests. The Phlebotomist will only take blood samples which are requested on a completed laboratory form
• The phlebotomist will ensure all pre-printed labels or hand written patient details are attached on blood bottle sample tubes ensuring all information is clearly legible and conforms to laboratory labelling policies including blood transfusion.
• Phlebotomists may be contacted by deg phone number 84833
• Phlebotomists must check the patient’s identity against the request form, patient name band and by verbal confirmation at the patient’s bedside before taking the blood sample
• The Phlebotomist is responsible for the correct packaging, identification and labelling of blood samples including timing of the samples following local policies and procedures.
• The Phlebotomist is responsible for packaging the blood samples with the request forms and podding/ensuring transport to laboratories.
• The phlebotomists will inform the nursing staff of any difficulties, including inability to obtain a sample
• Phlebotomists will not access central venous devices from radioactive patients
• Phlebotomists will not access dialysis catheters
• Phlebotomists can administer Taurolock as a line lock. Taurolock must be prescribed on the HEPMA or Drug Kardex. A phlebotomist administering Taurolock must have this second checked by Registered Nurse. A second phlebotomist cannot countersign.  
• Phlebotomists will not administer any other antibiotic lock
• Phlebotomists will not administer TauroLock Hep 100 (Heparanised Taurolock 100iu/ml)
• Phlebotomists will not obtain blood gases
• Phlebotomists will change smartsites on a Tuesday and document this in the CVC Bundle

This SOP will be reviewed every two years.

For further information contact the Schiehallion Ward on 0141 452 4450 / 4451