Career Overview
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
Also Known As
- Lab Liaison Technician
- Mobile Examiner
- Phlebotomist
- Phlebotomy Technician
Alternate Job Titles
- Certified Phlebotomist
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician
- Clinical Phlebotomist
- Collections Technician
- Lab Liaison Technician
- Laboratory Phlebotomist
- Long Term Care Phlebotomist
- Mobile Examiner
- Mobile Phlebotomist
- Outpatient Phlebotomist
- Patient Service Technician (PST)
- Phlebotomist
- Phlebotomy Services Representative
- Phlebotomy Services Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Confirm the identities of patients by verifying their personal information.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Service Orientation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Information Ordering
- Finger Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- JavaScript
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Aliquot tubes
- Barcode scanners
- Biohazard spill kits
- Blood collection syringes
- Blood culture bottles
- Blood culture incubators
- Blood drawing syringes
- Blood gas kits
- Blood glucose monitoring equipment
- Blood lancets
- Blood specimen refrigerators
- Capillary tubes
- Culture plates
- Digital timers
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) pipettes
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $34,860 |
| Median | $43,660 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $57,750 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 138,880
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
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Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $67,260
Histotechnologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Medical Assistants
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $44,200
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.