Medical

Phlebotomist

Do you like shows like Grey's Anatomy and like helping people? Drawing blood for tests is a growing field that is perfect for you!

Draw blood from patients for medical tests, transfusions, donations, and research. Verify patient identity and label specimens accurately.

Salary Range

$30,000 – $45,000

per year (10th–90th percentile)

Median Salary

$36,320

per year

Growth Outlook

High Growth

2024–2034 projected

Phlebotomists are in demand, have a high salary, and have a high job satisfaction

Browse Phlebotomist Jobs

Tasks & Responsibilities

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.

Tools of the Trade

Non vacuum blood collection tubes or containersAnatomical human mannequins for medical education or trainingPhlebotomy trays or accessoriesBlood collection needlesCapillary or hematocrit tubesBlood bank refrigeratorsVolumetric pipettesDispensing pins or needlesBlood drawing or phlebotomy chairsGlucose monitors or metersMedical staff aprons or bibsBar code reader equipmentMicrocentrifugesLancetsArterial blood gas monitorsNeedle or blade or sharps disposal containers or cartsStool collection containers without mediaNotebook computersClock timersBenchtop centrifugesSurgical isolation or surgical masksSputum collection apparatus or containersTourniquetsMedical cartsIntravenous tubing with catheter administration kitsSpecimen collection or transport bagsShaking incubatorsSpill kitsBlood collection syringesTissue culture coated plates or dishes or insertsUrinalysis analyzersWinged infusion needle setLaser fax machineBlood collection needle holdersBag tag printerPasteur or transfer pipettesRadiographic locatorsPersonal computers

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 89/100

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 69/100

Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. 61/100

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 60/100

Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. 55/100

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. 54/100

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. 52/100

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 49/100

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 49/100

Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. 48/100