Phlebotomist
Quick Facts
Median Salary$40,699
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+27.39%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Phlebotomist collects blood samples from patients for medical tests. May also perform routine laboratory test on samples. Works in a healthcare facility or in a laboratory.
Core Tasks:
- Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
- Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
- Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
- Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
- Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
- Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
- Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical professionals.
- Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis.
- Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
- Document route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and diagnosis.
- Draw blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel or finger stick methods.
- Conduct hemoglobin tests to ensure donor iron levels are normal.
- Transport specimens or fluid samples from collection sites to laboratories.
- Collect fluid or tissue samples, using appropriate collection procedures.
- Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
- Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.
What to expect as a Phlebotomist
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
75% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Phlebotomist related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
8851 openings for Phlebotomists
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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