Phlebotomists

---

Duties

Typically, phlebotomists do the following tasks:

• Blood can be taken from both patients and donors.
• Help patients and donors feel more at ease about having their blood drawn by talking to them.
• To ensure correct blood labeling, verify the identification of a patient or donor.
• The blood should be labeled for testing or processing after being drawn.
• Create a database with patient information.
• Set up medical equipment, such as needles, tubes, and blood vials, and keep them in good working order.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work environment.

Medical laboratory testing is the primary function of the Phlebotomist, who is responsible for drawing blood for this purpose. The phlebotomist is sometimes the only person a patient sees in a medical or diagnostic laboratory. The phlebotomist must take great care in identifying and labeling the blood sample they have drawn and entering it into a database because all blood samples look alike. Phlebotomists may draw blood for non-medical purposes, such as at blood drives where blood is donated. Phlebotomists must keep their work area and instruments clean and sterile to prevent infection or other issues.

Education

They often begin their careers in the phlebotomy field after receiving a postsecondary certificate or diploma in the field. Community colleges, vocational institutions, and technical schools all offer programs. In most cases, these programs can be completed in less than a year and lead to certification. Classroom and laboratory work are part of certification programs, which cover anatomy and physiology, as well as medical terminology.

The majority of phlebotomists begin their careers with a high school diploma and are taught on the job how to draw blood. Blood samples are identified, labeled, and tracked by phlebotomists regardless of their education level.

Registration, Certification, and Licensing

Phlebotomists who have gained certification are almost universally preferred by employers.

There are numerous certifications available for phlebotomists. As a Phlebotomy Technician, you can earn certifications from a variety of organizations, including NCCT, NHA, ASCP, Phlebotomy Association, AMT, and the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

As a rule, candidates for certification require some classroom study and clinical practice. Written exams and practical exams, such as extracting blood, are common parts of certification testing. Depending on the certification body, the requirements are different. There are four states that need phlebotomists to be certified.

Qualities that may matter

Compassion. Phlebotomists must be sensitive when drawing blood from patients or clients who may be anxious about the procedure.

Focused on specifics. All of these tasks must be completed by phlebotomists, who must draw blood for the tests ordered, track vials of blood, and enter the data into a computerized system. A patient may be hurt, or specimens misplaced if care isn't taken to keep track of them.

Dexterity. When it comes to working with their hands and instruments, phlebotomists have a lot of responsibility.

The ability to move one's hands and eyes in unison. It is imperative that phlebotomists take blood from a large number of patients on the first try, or their patients will be in pain.

Stamina of the body. For most of their shift, phlebotomists must stand for long periods of time and collect blood samples that are consistently correct.

Pay

The median annual wage for phlebotomists was $43,660 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,750.

Job Projections

Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.