Position Spotlight: Phlebotomist

Cherisse joined Contessa as a phlebotomist at Mount Sinai Hospitalization at Home in October of 2020. She was born and raised in Brooklyn and has worked as a medical assistant for the past nine years. Prior to starting a career in healthcare, she worked as a case manager for formerly incarcerated women. In her free time, she loves to cook, read, watch reality TV, and spend time with family.

What does a phlebotomist do at Contessa?

A phlebotomist at Contessa is responsible for drawing the blood of patients who are discharged from the hospital and receiving care at home. I send the samples to the lab in a timely fashion which helps the physicians adjust the patient’s treatment plan if necessary. I also try to keep patients calm as the phlebotomy experience can cause anxiety for many.

Why did you choose a career in healthcare?

I chose a career in healthcare because I genuinely love to help people. Knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life is both rewarding and gratifying.

How does the work you do at Contessa differ from other phlebotomist positions?

The work I do at Contessa differs from my past jobs because I am providing care for patients in their home as opposed to a hospital or doctor’s office.

What is the best part of your job?

Honestly, the best part of my job is drawing blood! I know that blood tests are a vital part of the diagnostic process that help physicians to determine the appropriate course of treatment for the patients. My role assists the team with making decisions to provide proper care which ultimately will help the patient to get better.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is seeing how sick and afraid some of the COVID positive patients are. The pandemic has changed life for all of us in so many ways so watching someone struggling to feel better and not knowing when they will, can be tough.

What inspires you to come to work every day?

Helping patients and working with an awesome company like Contessa inspires me to come to work every day. Being around a team of professionals who are passionate about providing quality patient care makes me happy and motivated to do my part.