Page Content Phlebotomy technicians collect blood from
patients and prepare the samples for testing. Most work in hospitals and clinics, but some collect blood for donation purposes. Phlebotomy technicians are important members of the health care team and often need to explain the blood-drawing procedure and put patients at ease. With constantly evolving medical technologies, phlebotomy technicians must know the difference in blood test types and should be aware of how medications and diet impact blood samples. Phlebotomy
technicians are responsible for drawing samples of blood and preparing them for testing. Common tasks and duties include: Phlebotomy technicians work in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, private home care, medical labs, blood donation centers, research institutes, and insurance companies. They may work day, evening, or night shifts, including weekend and holiday hours. The majority of their time is spent on their feet, interacting with patients or preparing samples to be sent to the lab. Due
to the intricate work of inserting needles into hard-to-find veins, phlebotomy technicians need to have well-tuned fine motor skills. They need to be able to handle difficult and emotional patients that might be afraid of needles. Finally, they need to be detail-oriented and able to remember safety precautions, how different diets can affect blood samples, and exactly how samples need to be treated to appropriately test them. To become a phlebotomy
technician, you must have a high school degree or equivalent and a phlebotomy technician training program. These programs can last a few months to a year. The certification process can vary depending on which organization is certifying the phlebotomy technician. These organizations include the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, National Healthcareer Association, and the American Medical Technologists. Requirements typically include a high school
diploma or GED, a phlebotomy training program, and potentially some work experience. Phlebotomy technicians can expect a median salary range of $37,380. Phlebotomy is an expanding field with excellent career opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of phlebotomist technicians to grow much faster than average. Blood
testing is an essential task in health care so demand for phlebotomy technicians is likely to increase since doctors use blood work for analysis and diagnosis. To advance their careers, some phlebotomy technicians choose to get certified in a particular area to become phlebotomy specialists or donor phlebotomy technicians. With additional experience and education, others become medical lab technicians, medical assistants, or registered nurses (R.N.s). 1 year or less of higher education 22% job growth projected from 2020-2030  Hemodialysis technicianMedical massage therapistPharmacy technicianPhlebotomists are allied health professionals who are responsible for drawing the blood needed to test for infections and health conditions. While some healthcare professionals, such as medical assistants or nursing assistants, are trained and educated to undertake a broad range of duties, others such as radiology technicians or phlebotomists are trained to become experts at specific healthcare tasks. Phlebotomists are able to determine the right needle size to use, find the right vein on a patient, and collect the right amount of blood. They’re skilled at talking to patients who might be feeling nervous or squeamish during a blood draw. As a phlebotomist, you’ll be helping doctors find an accurate diagnosis for patients. It’s an important healthcare role that’s in high demand. Phlebotomy is also a great way to get your healthcare career started quickly. You can complete your education in just a few months. Phlebotomist vs Phlebotomy Technician: What’s the Difference? The titles of phlebotomist and phlebotomy technician are often used interchangeably. Often, the only real difference is the preference of the facility or educational program. The same role will often be called a phlebotomist at one hospital and a phlebotomy technician at another. However, there can be an exception to this rule. When a medical facility has both phlebotomists and phlebotomy technicians as positions, the role of phlebotomist will be the more advanced role. Generally, this role will be filled by someone with more experience, formal training, certification, or all three. The phlebotomist might act as a shift leader and supervise the phlebotomy technicians. You might see a similar structure when positions are listed as “phlebotomist 1” and “phlebotomist 2,” or “basic phlebotomist” and “advanced phlebotomist.” Generally, one of these roles will be noted as entry-level, and the other will have more detailed requirements. Tasks and Duties of a PhlebotomistDoctors often give orders for patient bloodwork. Blood is drawn to check levels of important health signifiers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, lipids, and various hormones, as well as to check for the presence of infections or other health concerns. Phlebotomists are the health professionals responsible for collecting this blood. They draw labs according to the orders written by the doctor, making sure to get the correct amount and use the correct tools. They then make sure the collected blood is delivered to a lab where it can be tested.
The basic role of a phlebotomist will stay the same no matter where you work. However, some of your additional tasks might look very different depending on where you work. In some settings, you might pick up administrative duties such as:
These days, phlebotomists have access to electronic health records (EHRs), says D’Vaughn House, a phlebotomist, medical assistant, and research associate at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center’s Division of Infectious Diseases. “At a lot of major healthcare providers in the U.S., you’ll use (an EHR software program) to record patient data and view orders for medical lab testing.” Another aspect of the job that can vary? The method of blood collection. Not all phlebotomists collect blood in small tubes for lab work. Some phlebotomists are employed by blood banks or blood donation centers. The basic principles of the job are the same, but blood is collected in specialized donation bags. It’s then kept in designated, temperature-controlled areas. It’s not uncommon for phlebotomists to work in a hospital or medical facility and also volunteer at blood donation facilities, although these locations do also employ full-time phlebotomists. Roles and ResponsibilitiesYour exact responsibilities will depend on where you work, but there are some job responsibilities that most phlebotomists share. Common responsibilities include:
Typical Career Paths and WorkplacesPhlebotomists can find work in various medical settings. These includes some standard locations you might already have in mind, such as hospitals or physicians’ offices, as well as some less-common options. For instance, did you know that sometimes phlebotomists work for life insurance companies? At a life insurance company, a phlebotomist travels to the home, office, or other location of a life insurance applicant to draw their blood as part of the life insurance application process.
Sometimes, phlebotomists are also needed in times of emergency or crisis. Natural disasters and other major events often prompt large-scale blood donation drives or a rush of people wanting to donate to local facilities. Phlebotomists sometimes work long hours at these times to gather enough blood to help doctors and nurses care for people injured in the disaster. Where Phlebotomists WorkLocations where you might find work as a phlebotomist include:
Who Is a Good Fit for this Role?Phlebotomists are healthcare professionals who interact with patients all day. To succeed, you’ll need plenty of patience, compassion, and understanding, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to stay calm in stressful situations. It’s also vital that you’re comfortable around needles, blood, and medical procedures. “The traits a good phlebotomist needs are empathy, the ability to both give and receive constructive criticism, and an enhanced attention to detail,” says House. “(Necessary skills include) hand dexterity, rapport building, and motivational interviewing.” A Day in the Life: PhlebotomistYour exact day will depend on where you work. A shift at a busy hospital might look very different from a shift at a small physician’s office. A phlebotomist at an outpatient medical lab, for example, will typically work eight-hour days, often with the opportunity for overtime. “When you come into work, you’ll most likely work autonomously,” explains House. “You’ll see walk-in appointments for any patients who need blood work. Because you’ll most likely work alone, you will be responsible for other clinical duties like billing, registration, and responding to emergencies.” Other parts of your shift could include:
You might also need to spend some time ensuring you and your work are compliant with industry standards, rules, and regulations. You might need to review new training materials or sign off on documentation. “If your institution accepts federal grants, you will need to understand Good Clinical Laboratory Practices Standards and comply with other global laboratory standards,” says House. “You may be surprised that you must update blood-borne pathogens, OSHA, and hazardous communication training on a regular basis. If you do not complete the requirements, you may lose access to critical functions, thus prohibiting you from work.” EducationYou can complete a phlebotomy education program in about four to eight months. Programs are available at community colleges, technical schools, career schools, and even through some large medical facilities. No matter where they’re offered, you’ll study topics like medical terminology and anatomy and learn the infection control and needle techniques that will help you do your job safely. Plus, you’ll get hands-on experience and practice to prepare you for work in medical facilities.
Phlebotomists who are looking to expand their careers can consider advancing their education. There aren’t additional degrees or advanced roles specifically for phlebotomists. However, many phlebotomists use their phlebotomy skills, experience, and education as building blocks of another health care career. Careers that make a great next step for phlebotomists include medical lab technician and medical assistant. If you’re interested in nursing, you might consider looking at a licensed practical nurse (LPN) program. Licenses and CertificationsThere are no national certification or licensing requirements for phlebotomists. You also won’t find any requirements in most states. The only states with rules about phlebotomist certification and licensure are California, Washington, Nevada, and Louisiana. However, phlebotomists in the other 46 states should still consider becoming certified, because it’s preferred by nearly all employers and required by many. There are three primary certification options for phlebotomists:
These certifications are offered by respected agencies and are widely recognized and desired by employers. There are a handful of other certification options you can also consider. These prepare you for the same roles, but they have less recognition in the industry.
Salary and Job OutlookBeyond earning potential, phlebotomy is a career with a lot of job security. Labs and blood work are essential to healthcare and to accurately diagnose patients. That means that there will always be a need for phlebotomists. Plus, that need is expected to expand in the coming years. The healthcare field is growing rapidly, and that includes phlebotomists. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting a 10 percent increase in phlebotomist roles to 2031. With professional insight
from: What are the most common practices of phlebotomy?Infection prevention and control practices.. Perform hand hygiene and put on gloves. ... . Disinfect the entry site. ... . Take blood. ... . Fill the laboratory sample tubes. ... . Draw samples in the correct order. ... . Clean contaminated surfaces and complete patient procedure. ... . Prepare samples for transportation. ... . Clean up spills of blood or body fluids.. What phase of testing is the phlebotomist most associated with?The preanalytical phase is everything that occurs prior to the actual performance of the test. The phlebotomist is critical in ensuring quality sample collection for blood specimens.
What is the main responsibility of a phlebotomist quizlet?the principal purpose of phlebotomy is to obtain blood samples, at the request of a physician, for analysis in the laboratory. performing these duties correctly ensures that patients receive prompt and complete medical care.
Which of the following is the main area of responsibility for phlebotomists?What are the duties and responsibilities of a Phlebotomist? The Phlebotomist's primary concern is properly extracting blood from patients. Following that task, they accurately label the samples to send them to medical centers for testing.
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With which of the following hospital services is the phlebotomist most likely to interact?
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