A phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician draws blood and collects fluid samples from patients via the vein or a finger prick for blood testing.
These healthcare workers operate in diverse settings, including hospitals, medical offices, clinics, and research centers.
They also assist medical professionals like nurses, doctors, and physicians with managing blood-related tasks.
However, they also operate at blood donation centers, blood banks, and testing centers to accommodate various healthcare demands.
Phlebotomist Responsbilities
Phlebotomists perform various duties related to collecting blood, documenting tasks, and sanitizing their departments.
However, they also collect bodily samples (saliva, urine, etc.) and perform other blood-related procedures.
In addition to doing blood work, phlebotomists may also be responsible for cleaning, testing, and preparing medical equipment.
During a blood draw, phlebotomists swab patients’ arms, apply tourniquets, insert/withdraw needles, apply bandages, and perform other tasks.
Nevertheless, a phlebotomist’s duties differ depending on where they work.
For instance, an emergency room (ER) phlebotomist interacts with various patients and medical professionals.
They’re responsible for blood and bodily fluid collection, managing medical equipment, collecting documentation, and transferring blood to labs for processing.
However, they also consult nurses and doctors on patient health statuses, handle patients with various conditions and manage numerous hospital-related demands.
As a result, these healthcare workers earn more than phlebotomists at blood donation centers or clinics due to their responsibilities.
Phlebotomists at blood donation centers work with other technicians or registered nurses, performing basic blood collection tasks.
It includes drawing blood, collecting documents, preparing samples for testing center transportation, and sanitizing the office.
Accordingly, their responsibilities are far less demanding than phlebotomists working at hospitals or similar healthcare settings.
Phlebotomist Duties:
- Review and confirm daily appointments
- Collect patient documentation
- Draw blood and collect bodily samples
- Utilize tourniquets and bandages
- Prepare medical equipment
- Operate diagnostic testing devices
- Label and prepare specimens for transport to test facilities
- Sanitize medical equipment and the work environment
- Maintain HIPPA compliance
A phlebotomist’s salary differs depending on their employer, work location, and experience.
However, I’ll cover a phlebotomy technician’s average salary later in the article!
Skills Required to Be a Phlebotomist
There are numerous skills phlebotomists must develop to provide adequate care and fulfill work duties.
It includes developing communication, critical thinking, and technical skills.
Phlebotomists work alongside various healthcare specialists and manage patient and facility needs daily.
As a result, they must effectively be confident in their decision-making and community with staff and patients.
They also utilize various medical equipment, tools, and software, doing having good technical skills is a must.
Phlebotomists must be proficient in time management and multitasking and remain highly dependable.
These healthcare workers handle numerous tasks and tasks with little downtime in busy settings.
Therefore, being an excellent multitasker is critical to addressing various responsibilities appropriately.
Finally, having dependable healthcare workers is essential in most healthcare establishments.
Many facilities comprise minimal staff members, so reliability ensures patients receive adequate and timely care.
Vital Skills for Phlebotomists
- Communication
- Technical skills
- Confidence
- Time management
- Multitasking
- Dependability
- Critical thinking
Education Requirements
To become a phlebotomist, you must first acquire your GED or Diploma.
Once you’ve acquired the necessary education, apply to an accredited, state-approved phlebotomy program.
Students learn to draw blood, label samples, perform CPR, sanitize equipment, and manage other related duties during the program.
Phlebotomy courses vary in length depending on the student’s status, state requirements, and other determinants.
However, the program usually lasts 4–8 months for those taking an adequate number of classes within the recommended semester.
Students must complete all program courses to earn their certificate and become eligible for the certification exam.
After that, students must pass the state-approved phlebotomy examination to become certified phlebotomists.
Some states also require phlebotomists to take externships to obtain training and work experience before acquiring a job.
Finally, students can apply for phlebotomy jobs upon completing the prior requirements, paying fees, and passing a background check.
Aspiring phlebotomy technicians must determine their state’s requirements before pursuing a program.
That way, you take all appropriate steps to obtain your certificate and avoid timely and costly mistakes.
Salary Expectations
Accordingly to Salary.com, phlebotomists/phlebotomy technicians earn around $36,333 per year in the U.S.
However, a phlebotomist’s average salary varies from $29,449 to $44,446, depending on their state and experience.
Some phlebotomists in high-pay states earn even more with the right employer, training, and background.
For instance, numerous phlebotomists in California earn over $50,000 per year!, according to U.S.News.com.
Various phlebotomists in New York make over $30 an hour at hospitals and government-run/supported facilities with adequate experience.
Finally, the number of hours a phlebotomist works, salary agreements, bonuses, and benefits affect their yearly salary.
Conduct a job search to determine your area’s salary for phlebotomists/phlebotomy technicians.
That way, you obtain the most accurate salary average.
You can also contact a local healthcare facility to understand their hourly pay and the hours phlebotomists work at that location.
Career Outlook and Demand
The healthcare industry anticipates substantial growth over the next decade in most healthcare occupations.
According to BLS.gov, phlebotomy technicians’ will see a 10% boost in jobs between 2021 and 2031.
The increased need for qualified technicians promotes better pay and opportunities in various healthcare settings.
Where Do Phletobomists Work?
Phlebotomy technicians work in diverse settings to accommodate the needs of their healthcare facility.
It includes hospitals, healthcare clinics, doctor’s offices, research centers, educational institutes, blood donation centers, blood banks, and other healthcare-related environments.
Some facilities, like donation centers, research centers, and blood banks, hire phlebotomists to draw blood from volunteers.
These facilities are often staffed primarily with phlebotomists and supervisors to perform basic blood drawings.
In this case, the phlebotomist may be the only person an individual sees.
As a result, the phlebotomist must be friendly, outgoing, and supportive to provide the best chances for repeat business.
A continued relationship with the blood donor relies on phlebotomists’ goodwill and positive attitudes.
Ensuring these facilities receive the blood they need is necessary to assist patients in blood transfusions, platelets, or other blood-related needs.
Besides that, hospitals and high-demand settings hire phlebotomists to perform additional duties within the scope of their practice.
Phlebotomist Work Settings:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Donation centers
- Private practices
- Community health centers
- Blood banks
- Research facilities
- Mobile blood draw locations
- Educational institutes
- Doctor/nurse practitioner offices
- Nursing homes
- VA clinics
Finally, some specialists like nurses, practitioners, and doctors perform phlebotomy when needed.
These medical professionals draw blood and perform other related tasks when patients require immediate blood testing.
However, many settings have phlebotomists to manage these tasks when available.
Other healthcare specialists can manage and treat more demanding and advanced medical procedures.