There are numerous pros and cons of being a phlebotomist.
Those who become phlebotomy technicians quickly enter healthcare after a few weeks of training.
It enables them to quickly earn income, work flexible hours, and operate in various fields.
Contrarily, phlebotomists often spend long periods standing and face exposure to germs, bodily fluids, and viruses.
They may also have challenges using needles on particular patients and sometimes manage demanding individuals.
This article explores the pros and cons of being a phlebotomy technician to determine whether it’s an ideal career.
Positives of Being a Phlebotomist
There are numerous positives to being a phlebotomist.
It includes gaining quick entry into healthcare, earning a decent wage, and having good job security.
Phlebotomy technicians also operate in various settings and can have flexible work schedules to accommodate their needs.
This section exposure the pros of being a phlebotomy technician to understand their work life more clearly.
5 Pros of Being a Phlebotomist:
- Quick entry into healthcare
- Good earning potential
- Positive career outlook
- Varied work environments
- Flexible work schedule
1. Quick Entry into Healthcare
Most individuals complete phlebotomy training within 40 hours, plus 100 hours of clinical training.
As a result, trained phlebotomy technicians can quickly enter healthcare and begin gaining work experience.
It enables them to determine whether healthcare is a promising career without spending lots of money or time on a degree.
It also allows phlebotomy technicians to earn money in only a few weeks!
In addition to entering healthcare quickly and earning money, phlebotomy training is relatively inexpensive.
Many obtain training for only a few hundred dollars and repay the loan quickly once hired.
Some institutions also offer free phlebotomy courses for those who accept work agreements after training.
2. Good Earning Potential
Phlebotomy professions offer competitive pay compared to other entry-level jobs, especially retail and food services.
Some phlebotomists earn slightly above the minimum wage, while others obtain high incomes at funded organizations.
Hospitals and government institutions offer exceptional salaries, with some positions paying over $25/hour.
Nevertheless, a phlebotomy technician’s salary largely depends on their employer, education, location, and experience.
With only a few weeks of training, people can work in blood draws, physician offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings.
3. Positive Career Outlook
Highly skilled phlebotomy technicians are in strong demand, resulting in competitive pay and good job stability.
Healthcare institutions always need trained professionals to draw blood, collect samples and perform additional testing.
In addition, phlebotomy technician careers will grow by approximately 10%, according to BLS.gov, over the next decade.
As a result, numerous employment opportunities exist for those who become phlebotomists.
Developing as much career experience as possible is essential to obtain the highest salaries.
After acquiring experience, you’ll want to look for positions at hospitals or government facilities is beneficial.
They offer some of the best wages for any phlebotomy technician job.
4. Varied Work Environments
Phlebotomist work in different settings to draw blood, collect samples, and manage patients for healthcare facilities.
It includes hospitals, physician offices, blood banks, community clinics, government facilities, mobile services, and travel companies.
As a result, there are many options to operate in different fields and healthcare institutions offering phlebotomy services.
- Hospitals
- Physicians offices
- Blood banks
- Community clinics
- Government facilities
- Phlebotomy mobile services
- Travel phlebotomy opportunities
Operating in various environments provides a lot of exposure for phlebotomists interested in other healthcare careers.
It enables them to gain unique experience and determine whether an alternative healthcare career is viable.
For instance, those working in hospital settings gain exposure to many healthcare professionals.
Phlebotomy technicians can use that time to learn about other departments, specializations, and skills.
They can learn about becoming a registered nurse, ultrasound technician, medical assistant, or an EKG technician.
As a result, working in certain healthcare facilities is highly beneficial for phlebotomy technicians.
Some also pursue careers in other departments hiring employees internally.
For instance, government facilities may offer jobs in technical departments or related areas.
Phlebotomy technicians can pursue careers utilizing their social skills, discipline, and career experience.
5. Flexible Work Schedules
Some phlebotomy technician jobs offer flexible work schedules with full-time and part-time positions.
Some healthcare institutions, like government facilities and some physician offices, operate during morning hours, Monday through Friday.
According, phlebotomists in these settings receive excellent work hours.
Other healthcare facilities, like hospitals, operate 24/7, providing phlebotomy technicians with less schedule flexibility.
However, these facilities provide higher wages to compensate for the additional work and reduced schedule flexibility.
Phlebotomy technicians who want flexible work schedules must look for careers with set hours or scheduling agreements.
Conversely, those who want to earn the most money may pursue jobs at hospitals or government facilities.
Challenges of Being a Phlebotomist
Operating as a phlebotomist can be difficult due to physically challenging work, virus exposure, and patient demands.
Phlebotomy technicians also experience challenges with career advancement resulting from limited positions.
This section explores phlebotomists’ challenges in better understanding their daily duties and obligations.
5 Cons of Being a Phlebotomist:
- Long-standing sessions
- Exposure to blood, germs, and viruses
- Risk of needle stick injuries
- Challenging people and patients
- Limited career advancement opportunities
1. Long-Standing Periods
Phlebosimts frequently operate from a standing position to consult patients, draw blood and perform other tests.
Despite using comfortable and supportive footwear, phlebotomists spend lots of time on their feet.
Over time this can cause foot, joint and back pain, especially for those with health conditions.
Phlebotomy technicians must take regular breaks, live healthy lifestyles, exercise daily, and use good working posture.
They must also wear comfortable footwear like walking shoes, crocs, or work clogs to minimize foot discomfort and pain.
Even the healthiest individuals experience stress and stain from long-standing sessions.
Therefore, phlebotomists must take their foot health very seriously.
2. Exposure to Blood, Germs, and Viruses
As with other healthcare professionals, phlebotomy technicians often experience exposure to blood, germs, and viruses.
As a result, they must be cautious when drawing blood, handling bodily specimens, or managing patients.
Using protective gloves, face wear, and clothing is a must.
Phlebotomists must also sanitize equipment and workspaces to protect themselves, other workers, and their patients.
Even with the most careful routines, phlebotomy technicians face exposure to germs and viruses.
It makes operating in busy healthcare settings a constant challenge for some phlebotomists and healthcare workers.
3. Risk of Needle Stick Injuries
Drawing blood can be nerve-racking, especially among new phlebotomists or those dealing with challenging individuals.
As a result, phlebotomy technicians must undergo proper training to avoid harming others or themselves.
They must also understand how to dispose of needles properly, sanitize equipment, and utilize protective gear.
Numerous needlestick injuries and health issues arise with improper needle use and application.
It includes blown veins, bruising, virus exposure from previously used needles, and other hazards.
Even the most experienced phlebotomy technician make mistakes.
Therefore, it’s essential to maintain good practices to minimize medical errors, needlestick injuries, and virus exposure.
4. Challenging People
Countless people donate blood, plasma, and platelets annually to support patients needing transfusions and treatments.
Many people also have their blood drawn for screenings, testing, and other procedures to determine their health status.
As a result, phlebotomists sometimes manage challenging individuals apprehensive about having their blood drawn.
There are numerous reasons phlebotomists work with challenging patients and donors.
Some people want to help others who need blood transfusions but have a severe fear of needles.
Others don’t want their blood drawn but require testing due to their doctor’s orders.
It can also be challenging to draw blood from children with difficulty standing still or those scared around needles.
Therefore, phlebotomists must have exceptional patience and communication skills to keep donors/patients comfortable.
They must also have excellent hand and eye coordination to prevent bad sticks and avoid blown veins.
5. Limited Career Advancement Opportunities
Becoming a phlebotomy technician is an excellent way to enter the healthcare field quickly and earn money.
It enables hard-working individuals to discover various healthcare areas and gain valuable work experience.
Unfortunately, there are few career advancement opportunities available for phlebotomy technicians.
Some professionals become traveling phlebotomists or operate at hospitals or government facilities to earn higher wages.
Others become team leaders or accept management positions.
However, most phlebotomists transition into becoming registered nurses or pursue other advanced domains to further their careers.
You can make good money as a phlebotomy technician with the right experience, training, and employer.
Just understand that you’ll face a career ceiling regarding advancement opportunities.