Phlebotomy Technician Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a phlebotomy technician job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a phlebotomy technician. Feel free to use our phlebotomy technician job description template to produce your own phlebotomy technician job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a phlebotomy technician.
Who is a Phlebotomy Technician?
A phlebotomy technician is a medical specialist who collects blood samples for testing in the lab to help diagnose illnesses and medical conditions.
A phlebotomy technician is also in charge of setting up lab equipment, assessing a patient’s reaction to the blood draw, and collecting the fluids correctly. Some phlebotomy technicians will be in charge of properly discarding and shipping blood samples to laboratories outside of their place of employment to ensure the correct samples are received.
Phlebotomy technicians spend a significant portion of their workday standing or walking to patients in a practice, clinic, or hospital. Because they work with medical supplies such as needles, vials, tourniquets, and bandages, they must be cautious about sample contamination and infection.
They are frequently required to explain to patients the reasoning behind the tests being performed and can provide comfort to worried patients. They must be precise and meticulous in their work, work well under pressure, and communicate effectively with a diverse range of people.
Phlebotomy Technician Job Description
What is a phlebotomy technician job description? A phlebotomy technician job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a phlebotomy technician in an organization. Below are the phlebotomy technician job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a phlebotomy technician job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a phlebotomy technician include:
- Maintaining a clean and organized phlebotomy cart or station while adhering to infection control and sanitation guidelines.
- Maintaining inventory, preparing blood samples for various procedures and tests, and possibly centrifuging blood samples.
- Ensuring blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation are all measured and recorded.
- Obtaining patient blood samples and transporting them to the lab for analysis.
- Ensuring proper storage and packaging in order to preserve blood for donations.
- Interviewing patients in order to learn about their medical histories.
- Preparing the areas where blood will be drawn, and ensuring that the area is safe and clean after the blood has been drawn.
- Proactively preventing specimen contamination and infection while taking blood.
- Keeping the patient calm and maintaining a friendly, polite, and sympathetic demeanor.
- Providing additional resources upon request and responding to patients’ collection method inquiries.
- Working with supervising physicians and always following their orders.
- Responding to patient inquiries and providing information.
- Keeping meticulous records for fluid samples and tests.
- Adhering to all applicable health and safety regulations while on duty.
- Reassuring patients who are afraid of needles.
- Observing all health and safety guidelines and procedures in order to keep work areas clean.
- Collaborating with medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and other technicians, as well as patient management staff.
- Separating plasma and platelets from red blood cells by centrifuging blood samples.
Qualifications
- Understanding of effective puncture methods.
- Understanding of appropriate patient identification methods.
- Comprehension of the legal requirements for collecting blood samples, handling fluid samples, and using relevant medical supplies and equipment.
- Interpersonal aptitude and compassion for working with patients.
- A commitment to patience, confidentiality, and a meticulous approach to work.
- Strong organizational abilities, good handwriting, and keen attention to detail.
Essential Skills
To remain relevant, phlebotomy technicians need the following skills:
- Communication:
Phlebotomy technicians must be able to communicate with patients in order to reassure them and explain the procedure. They must also be able to communicate with doctors and other medical personnel to ensure that the process is carried out correctly. Patients may have health-related questions, so phlebotomy technicians must be able to communicate with them and answer those questions.
- Hand-eye Coordination:
Phlebotomy technicians must have good hand-eye coordination to perform their duties. This Skill is required to take blood from patients, handle sharp medical equipment, and perform other tasks.
- Organization
A patient’s diagnosis depends on a blood sample being clearly and accurately identified. Organized phlebotomy technicians can ensure that their equipment is ready and available, procedures and checklists are followed during a draw, and that samples are labeled and stored with care.
- Computer Knowledge
In some facilities, a phlebotomy technician may also be in charge of entering patient and blood-related information into computer systems. A basic understanding of electronic medical health records and computers will be beneficial for this aspect of the job.
- knowledge of Venous Puncture
Venipuncture is a technique that requires practice and skill to master. Your ability to easily insert the needle into a vein reduces patient discomfort and ensures you complete the procedure quickly.
- Patience
Because patients who are anxious or dislike needles must be calmed, phlebotomy technicians must be patient. To accomplish this, the patient may need to be explained the procedure and work with other patients until they are at ease.
- Empathy
Phlebotomy technicians must be sensitive to their patient’s needs and emotions. Patients must be able to walk them through the process and answer any questions they may have. They must also be able to calm patients’ fears and reassure them that the procedure is painless and safe.
- Comprehension of Medical Jargon
Phlebotomy technicians must understand medical jargon in order to communicate with patients and other medical professionals. This is especially important when explaining procedures and treatment options to patients. Phlebotomists should have a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology in order to understand their patients’ medical conditions.
- Detail-oriented Observation
Blood must be drawn, samples must be labeled, and phlebotomy technicians must record patient information accurately. Paying attention to the details can help you ensure that you’re performing the right tests on the right patient and sending the right samples to the right lab. It can also help you ensure that medical waste is properly disposed of.
- Specimen Handling
Phlebotomists frequently collect body fluid samples from patients for laboratory testing. Specimen handling includes knowing how to properly label specimen containers, store them securely, and transport them to the lab. It also entails understanding how to take proper safety precautions when handling potentially infectious materials.
In most hospitals and doctors’ offices, phlebotomists are required to enter patient and specimen data into a computerized medical record database.
You should have no trouble entering and analyzing data.
Knowledge of and experience with data entry is a huge plus for a phlebotomy technician.
- Professionalism:
Phlebotomy technicians must maintain the highest levels of professionalism. They must be aware of the safety precautions in order to reduce the risk of infection to themselves, their patients, and other healthcare professionals. Phlebotomy technicians must maintain strict hygiene standards when handling needles, patients, specimens, and venipuncture equipment.
- Personality Characteristics:
Phlebotomy technicians interact with patients and other medical personnel, and interpersonal skills such as empathy, friendliness, and kindness are essential. You must also be able to speak clearly and concisely when describing procedures or responding to patients’ questions. Phlebotomy technicians frequently work in teams, you should be a team player who can work well with others.
- Multitasking Abilities
Doctors, nurses, and patients frequently rely on blood test results to make appropriate diagnoses and treatment decisions for patients. Because so many people rely on these results, phlebotomy technicians must be able to multitask and meet strict deadlines and requests on a regular basis.
- First aid and CPR:
Some patients are physically unable to tolerate the sight of blood or needles. This means that phlebotomy technicians may encounter patients who experience dizziness or faintness during their appointments. These professionals must be able to recognize the warning signs of fainting episodes in order to help someone recover from a fainting spell.
- Patient-care Abilities:
Phlebotomy technicians come into contact with patients on a daily basis. They must learn effective patient care techniques such as patient counseling, infection control, and collaboration with other medical professionals. Giving excellent customer service, addressing patients’ concerns, and answering their questions are all examples of patient care.
How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician
A career as a phlebotomy technician can be an excellent way to break into the medical field. Anyone interested in pursuing a career as a phlebotomy technician can take the following steps:
- Complete High School or Obtain a GED
To be accepted into phlebotomy programs, candidates must have a high school diploma or an equivalent. If your high school offers phlebotomy programs, you may be able to begin a phlebotomy career after graduation. Generally, however, only a brief period of enrollment in a postsecondary program is required.
- Enroll in a Postsecondary Education Phlebotomy Program
A phlebotomy program should take about a year to complete, after which you will receive a certificate. A variety of vocational-technical schools and community colleges offer courses, which cover anatomy, medical terminology, and physiology. They focus on techniques that ensure high-quality samples are obtained while patients are treated and kept safe. Before you can enroll in this lab-based training, you must have updated immunization records and documentation of high school graduation or equivalent.
- Get a Professional Phlebotomy Certification
Certification increases your chances of landing a job, demonstrates your commitment to your industry, and provides you with access to a network of other professionals who can assist you in your new career.
The majority of employers prefer to hire applicants with phlebotomy technician certification. The majority of certification requirements require passing an exam, with a few exceptions. Follow the necessary procedures to maintain certification once it has been obtained. The requirements vary depending on the certification, but they usually include paying an annual fee and completing continuing education.
There are several certifications available:
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- Phlebotomy Technician: This certification is offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology and requires a high school diploma as well as completion of an approved phlebotomy program, a year of work experience, or a related certification. Applicants must take the certification exam, and renewal is required every three years.
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- Certified Phlebotomy Technician: To obtain this certification from the National HealthCareer Association, you must pass a certification exam with 100 questions. Renewals are required every two years.
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- Registered Phlebotomy Technician: This certification is provided by American Medical Technologists. To be eligible for this program, you must have completed a phlebotomy program that included 120 hours of classroom instruction or 1,040 hours of practical training, as well as documentation of at least 50 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures. You must remain a member in good standing after passing the test and renewing every three years.
- Create a Resume
Craft a resume that highlights your education, skills, and work history. Make a separate resume and cover letter for each position you apply for.
- Apply for phlebotomy Technician Positions and Secure a Job
After completing your coursework and practical training and obtaining professional certification, you are now ready to enter the profession. To find the job you want, use the employment resources provided by your school, online job search engines, your social networks at home and at school, professional associations, and certifying bodies.
A wide range of medical establishments, including hospitals, clinics, blood donation centers, and laboratories, require phlebotomy technicians. After you get a job, you’ll probably get more on-the-job training to familiarize yourself with your company’s policies, practices, and guidelines.
- Maintain Certification
Most phlebotomy technician certifications must be renewed in accordance with the requirements of the boards. To renew your certification, you may need to complete continuing education programs to demonstrate that you are up to date on the most recent phlebotomy and medical procedures. As part of continuing education, you can take courses in person or online. Furthermore, maintaining your certification may incur a fee.
- Stay Current as your Industry Changes
While working as a phlebotomist technician, continue to read about developments in the field, network with other medical professionals, and join professional organizations.
Where to Work as a Phlebotomy Technician
Phlebotomy technicians work in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, nursing homes, private homes, medical labs, blood donation facilities, research institutes, insurance companies, and clinics. They may work on weekends and holidays, as well as during the day, evening, and night. While on the job, they spend the majority of their time interacting with patients or preparing samples to be sent to the lab.
Phlebotomy Technician Salary Scale
The pay for phlebotomy technicians varies according to location, experience level, and certifications.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Compensation Survey, an entry-level phlebotomy technician with less than a year of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $31,157. An entry-level phlebotomy technician with 1-4 years of experience earns an annual salary of $34,929. A certified phlebotomy technician with five to nine years of experience in the middle of their career earns an average total salary of $40,604. A Certified Phlebotomy Technician with 10 to 19 years of experience can expect to earn $44,819. Workers in their late careers (20 years or more) earn an average salary of $53,957.