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Celebrating our Phlebotomists

By Lynn McCain | February 10

Jaylina Phillips processes a urine sample.This week is Phlebotomist Recognition Week and we are taking a moment to reflect on these hard-working members of our team who are an often under-appreciated gift. The department has 68 phlebotomists serving hospitalized patients and 169 serving our out-patient population in multiple blood-drawing stations across southeastern Michigan. Almost no one likes to be stuck with a needle and have their blood drawn, yet these amazing team members make the experience as pleasant as possible.

Chris Distelrath tries to make her patient's day. (Image used with approval)Before entering each patient’s room, our in-patient phlebotomists focus on their patients' needs and prepare to give them exceptional service. One night-shift phlebotomist, Chris Distelrath, shared her perspective, “I want to make my patients’ day and bring joy as I interact with them. I have a stuffed and brightly colored “Pete the Perch” in its protective plastic covering on my cart, which the patients love.” At other times, our phlebotomists are stroking the arm of an elderly patient who is alone and frightened, or listening to their stories as they skillfully draw blood for upcoming tests. At times, they are able to spot problems and report them to the nurses, and at other times, they are called to the bedside as patients are coding. They may then be called to the neonatal intensive care unit to perform draws on a premature infant, or over to the children’s ward to support the care of a pediatric cancer patient. Some patients are in the hospital for just a day or two, but others are longer-term patients, and our phlebotomists get to know them. These patients may have a “favorite” among the team who they look forward to seeing each day. No two days are the same for our in-patient team, who are frequently faced with time-sensitive draws, so they move quickly and efficiently, while providing sensitive and attentive care to their patients.

Out-patient phlebotomists Farin Curney and Antoinette Espinoza demonstrate proper blood-drawing techniques.Meanwhile, our outpatient phlebotomists are the faces of pathology seen by those needing routine health care. These are the staff who can be found in blood drawing stations in our hospitals and at our clinical sites across southeastern Michigan. For these phlebotomists, a steady stream of patients enters the doors of their laboratories each day. While some may show up for just their annual bloodwork, many are weekly or monthly visitors who quickly become known to the staff. “They get to know us, and we get to know them. They bring their children with them and almost become part of the family,” explained Theo Jones, manager for outpatient phlebotomy.

West Ann Arbor Phlebotomist Mary Valentine demonstrates how to find a vein on her co-worker, Roxanne Brooks..“While some people join the phlebotomy team to get patient care experience or as a stepping-stone toward becoming a nurse or PA, I want to advocate for those who want to make this a career. This is a position where we constantly give of ourselves to our patients. We make a difference in patient care each and every day,” explained Steven Doerflinger, manager of inpatient phlebotomy.

Phlebotomists do much more than “just draw blood.” They provide care, support, and encouragement to our patients while being another set of eyes to catch when something just doesn’t seem right, helping our patients receive the very best possible care. They are truly a gift that keeps on giving.

 
phlebotomy staff employee recognition clinical pathology allied health
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