Phlebotomist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a phlebotomist. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a phlebotomist.
Who is a Phlebotomist?
A phlebotomist is a professional who collects and tests blood samples for research. These professionals are usually employed by a medical facility, and they are supervised by a manager in their particular area. They often interact with patients and must follow strict safety procedures.
A phlebotomist’s job is to draw blood from patients. This task requires the use of a needle to puncture a patient’s skin while the patient is still conscious. The phlebotomist and patient must trust each other so that he will be able to perform his tasks quickly and painlessly. They must also be well-versed in safety and laboratory procedures. They need to be able to listen and communicate effectively, and they must have good eyesight.
There are many different types of phlebotomists and each one has a distinct job description and duties. These professionals are responsible for collecting and preparing specimens, and they also perform a variety of other tasks. Many phlebotomists work in hospitals and other medical facilities. This career field is a fast-paced and challenging one, but the pay is good.
They must have excellent attention to detail to correctly process and analyze blood samples. Additionally, this profession requires a high school diploma. Their role is important for the health care community. Having the ability to obtain proper blood samples is crucial in the diagnosis of a variety of diseases and conditions. Successful phlebotomists enjoy dealing with patients and have a positive attitude. They have extensive training and experience in the field, and they enjoy working in a hospital setting.
The job of the phlebotomist requires excellent dexterity and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Some phlebotomists may encounter thirty or more patients per day, and they must remain calm and focused while dealing with the agitation and annoyance of their patients. In addition, a phlebotomist’s duties require them to deal with various types of patients.
A phlebotomist is responsible for preparing and delivering patients for blood transfusions. They must also be skilled in aseptic techniques to ensure the safety of their patients. This job is vital to the allied healthcare community.
Phlebotomist Job Description
Below are the phlebotomist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a phlebotomist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The jobs and duties of a phlebotomist include:
- Organizing daily activities based on the urgency of fluid sample requests
- Identifying patients and their data through their identification, documents, or other means
- Determining the appropriate venipuncture method based on the patient’s age, health, etc.
- Reassuring patients and helping them relax
- Finding the right veins for puncture
- Drawing blood using sterile needles, vials, and other equipment
- Ensuring optimal quality and quantity of samples
- Labeling samples and sending or delivering them for analysis
- Answering patient questions and providing helpful information
- Maintaining accurate records of fluid samples and tests
- Complying with all relevant health and safety regulations while working
- Carrying out blood transfusions when needed
- Collecting and marking samples exactly as directed on each medical request.
- Developing effective collection techniques according to the age of the patients: pediatric or geriatric.
- Packaging each specimen properly and ensuring that each specimen is delivered to the laboratory on time.
- Maintaining an organized and clean work area based on state health laws and the guidelines of our medical organization.
- Answering patient questions about collection techniques and offering additional resources on the collection process if requested by the patient.
Other important tasks of the phlebotomist include:
- Patient admission
You start by assigning the patient to the samples ordered and, in some settings, also check and note the vital signs before taking blood. This means that you need to make sure you have the right patient by doing an identification check. They discuss how-to-do things, explain each step before you begin, and try to reduce fears. Strong human skills are a plus when it comes to easing caution, which makes it easier to draw blood.
- Collect blood
The work of the phlebotomist begins with a doctor’s request for a blood sample. They use a needle to puncture the vein (venipuncture), or the skin called a skin puncture, and draw a sample for diagnostic tests. For venipuncture, you locate the vein, sterilize the overlying skin with topical alcohol, isolate the area with a tourniquet to highlight the circulation and vein, and insert a needle to extract blood. Phlebotomists also take blood from the blood bank and transfusion donors for patients whose blood is too thick due to the overproduction of red blood cells.
- Store, label and send samples
Each sample must be marked with the date, time of the sample, patient information, and specific data relating to the laboratory tests. In addition to your steady hand and simple skills, you should be meticulous and detail-oriented. Correct identification of the samples is essential. Phlebotomists also deliver labeled samples to laboratories and they package different samples for medical couriers who deliver them to third-party laboratories. Your packaging must ensure that the samples are not endangered during transport
Requirements
- Proven work experience as a Phlebotomist or Phlebotomy Technician
- Experience in effective puncture techniques
- Knowledge of the appropriate methods of patient identification
- Knowledge of legal requirements regarding the collection of blood, the handling of fluid samples, and the use of relevant medical equipment and supplies
- Ability to use computers to enter information
- Excellent communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to connect with different patients (such as children, the elderly, pregnant women) and make them feel comfortable
- Patience and presence of mind
- Diploma in phlebotomy or extensive on-the-job training
- Certification is a plus
Essential Skills
- Attention to details
The day is never dull for a phlebotomist. They need to be precise when drawing blood, labeling samples, and tracking them.
- Communication
Patients need to be able to understand the procedure and to listen to their concerns. Patients will often be anxious so it is important to clearly explain what will happen. It is very imperative to have strong verbal communication skills.
- Data entry
Many hospitals and doctor’s offices require that phlebotomists enter patient information and then display it in a computer database. A phlebotomist will benefit greatly from having data entry skills.
- Expertise
A phlebotomist must have physical dexterity or motor skills. To draw blood and manipulate equipment, phlebotomists must use their hands. They need to be able to draw blood efficiently and quickly while causing minimal discomfort for patients.
- Empathy
Strong interpersonal skills are essential for phlebotomists. They must also be able to empathize with and care for nervous patients.
How to Become a Phlebotomist
It is more complicated than you might think to train as a phlebotomist. The anatomy and physiology courses cover the circulatory, lymphatic, and respiratory systems as well as the muscular and skeletal systems. Students will need to learn about the composition of blood cells as this is the main substance they will be working with. Training in occupational safety and emergency skills is important since blood samples can transmit deadly infectious diseases. Many schools offer professional skills, such as interviewing, communication and professionalism.
In their training, students will also learn how to draw blood using venipuncture or capillary. Many techniques can be used to treat different types of patients and ages. Because it is an essential skill for any healthcare job, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is often a part of the course.
To become a phlebotomist, you can follow the steps below:
- Get a diploma from high school or the equivalent
To become a phlebotomist, you must complete high school and graduate. This is a requirement to be admitted to a school that offers the required phlebotomy program.
A GED is a general education diploma that can be used to replace a high school diploma. It is a diploma that certifies students who have not completed a high school diploma. To earn a GED, however, you must pass certain subjects.
Also, you must be 18 years old to become a phlebotomist. There are many places you can study phlebotomy at both community and technical colleges, as well as independent training centers like hospitals.
The phlebotomy program is still the best choice because of its accreditation and low education level. It also provides full certification. Make sure you only attend schools that are accredited by the National Agency for Accreditation of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
While phlebotomy programs can vary from one school to the next, all phlebotomy classes will be focused on anatomy, laboratory safety, and procedures.
Phlebotomy programs are quick and easy to complete. The typical phlebotomy course will take between four to eight months.
- Gain Relevant experience
You must have sufficient experience before you can be considered for a real job as a phlebotomist. This is the beauty of phlebotomist school – you get clinical training that will give you the right experience.
You will be working with test subjects to get your needle skills tested, as no one will trust you handling their skin. They will work with you for a while before you can start working on real patients.
A senior phlebotomist will oversee you ensure that you have the correct experience. Otherwise, you can continue pushing test subjects for your entire life.
- Obtain certification
Phlebotomy certification is essential to your career. After completing your phlebotomy training program you should apply to become certified. Some states will require this certification to be able to practice. While some states might not require you have a phlebotomy license or certificate, the majority of certified phlebotomists do.
While you wait, ensure that you have been certified by one of the certification bodies listed below. They are the most respected.
- The National Proficiency Testing Center, (NCCT).
- National Association of Caregivers
- American Society for Clinical Pathology
- National phlebotomy Association
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
California, Nevada, Washington, and Louisiana are the states that require a phlebotomy certification. California is the most expensive state. It is well worth the effort to get a certificate in phlebotomy.
- Find a job
If you don’t have the practice to prove it, education and certification are pointless. This means that you should get a job to prove your effort and time in becoming a phlebotomist.
Employers will contact you once you have completed your training and are certified. However, it is important to actively search for phlebotomy positions near you.
If you did some hands-on training at a hospital during your training program, you can go talk to human resources and look for job opportunities. It will be much easier for you if you have succeeded in making the hospital staff become friends.
Also, you can broaden your horizon by looking for jobs in blood collection centers, doctors, and ambulatory care centers.
- Maintain your certification
As a phlebotomist, it is necessary to continue your studies, as this is a prerequisite for the renewal of your certificate. Many institutions require that you earn continuing education credits by taking short courses that can be completed in two years. With these, you will be able to renew your phlebotomist certificate after three years and stay up to date with the latest developments in the industry.
Where to Work
The phlebotomist works with a wide variety of people, including healthcare professionals and patients of different statuses. Therefore, you will mainly find phlebotomists in hospitals (regional, local or private) and medical and diagnostic laboratories.
In addition to these locations, you will also find them in outpatient health services, blood collection centers, doctors’ offices, and outpatient care centers.
Also, due to the nature of their job, especially when it comes to donating blood, phlebotomy technicians will have to travel to different offices and sites. This is where they will set up mobile donation centers and collect patients’ blood.
During this time, the phlebotomist usually works full time – whether it is 9-5 or 24 hours. This is how important they are. When working in hospitals and laboratories, they may need to work nights, weekends, and even during vacations.
Phlebotomist Salary Scale
The salary of a phlebotomist can vary according to location. Generally, a phlebotomist working in a general hospital earns between $19,933 and $48,479 per year.
The salary range of a phlebotomist can also vary by state. In some states, the salary is as high as $26,519 per year. However, the average salary in Louisiana and New Hampshire is only $8 per hour. This is due to the difference in the cost of living in each state. For example, a phlebotomist working in California earns about $28,574 per year while a phlebotomist in Texas earns about $38,141 annually.