What Is A Phlebotomist, What They Do, And How To Become One?

Phlebotomists are an integral part of a laboratory team, as they are responsible for drawing blood both for diagnostic tests and donations, while ensuring patient safety. However, the responsibilities of a phlebotomist are much more than just injecting needles and handling blood samples. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over the duties of a phlebotomist, their credentials, types of phlebotomy roles, salary, and how to become one.

What is a Phlebotomist?

A phlebotomist is a healthcare professional who is responsible for drawing blood from patients for medical testing and blood donations. They are trained to collect blood samples through:

• Venipuncture: Collecting blood by carefully puncturing a vein using a syringe.
• Finger pricks: Tiny puncture in fingertips, using a lancet to collect small blood samples, usually for diabetic monitoring.
• Heel pricks: A small puncture in the heel of an infant’s foot, often performed for newborn screening tests.

Where Did Phlebotomy Come From?

As for the origins, the word phlebotomy comes from the combination of Greek words “phlebos” and “tomia,” meaning “vein cutting,” and it refers to the practice of drawing blood. 

Did you know that phlebotomy originally started as the practice of bloodletting? 

NOTE: Although phlebotomists are primary medical professionals who draw blood, other roles, like nurses, can also perform this task.

Phlebotomist Job Description and Key Responsibilities

To answer the question, “What does a phlebotomist do?” The primary responsibility of this role is to collect blood specimens and ensure their quality and correct labeling. However, their responsibilities extend beyond just sticking a needle in a vein. Here are some of the key duties and responsibilities of a phlebotomist:

• Verifying Patient Identity: Before drawing blood, phlebotomists must confirm the patient’s identity (often by checking IDs or wristbands) and match it with the lab order. Proper identification is critical, as misidentifying a patient or mislabeling a sample can lead to incorrect diagnoses, treatments, and even potentially fatal outcomes. In fact, misidentifying or mislabeling is one of the biggest mistakes a phlebotomist can make. 
• Explaining the Procedure and Patient Care: According to a survey, nearly 63.2% of people are afraid of needles and injections. So, explaining the entire process and answering patients’ questions to calm them down is a part of a phlebotomist’s job. They use a comforting, reassuring tone to help patients relax. If a patient is nervous or prone to fainting, the phlebotomist may have them lie down.
• Post-Draw Patient Care: Once the blood draw is complete, phlebotomists remove the needle safely, dispose of it in a sharps container, and bandage the puncture site. They monitor the patient for any immediate adverse reactions, such as dizziness or bleeding. If a patient feels dizzy or faints, the phlebotomist (or a nurse) will assist by helping them lie down, applying cold compresses, or alerting medical staff as needed. 
• Labeling and Handling Specimens: After drawing blood, phlebotomists label the vials immediately with the patient’s details, time of draw, and other required information. They also need to ensure proper storage and transportation of the blood samples.
• Sanitizing Equipment and Workspace: Like any other healthcare role, phlebotomists must ensure that their work area and instruments are clean and sanitized at all times, especially before performing blood work. Cleaning and sanitizing the chairs or beds are also sometimes handled by a phlebotomist.
• Inventory Management: They also need to regularly restock essentials like needles, collection tubes, alcohol swabs, bandages, and gloves.
• Sample Processing: Depending on the workplace, they may centrifuge blood samples (spinning them to separate components) or prepare specimens for analysis. In blood donation centers, a phlebotomist might assist in preparing units of blood for storage.
• Other Duties: They may also carry out other tasks, like instructing patients on how to collect a urine sample or collecting samples via a swab. 

Given their proficiency with needles and injections, a lot of people believe that phlebotomists can start an IV; however, phlebotomists are not allowed to start an IV. 

If you want to be able to do an IV, you need to upskill and become a medical assistant, who is allowed to start IV in some states. However, to fully transition into patient care, it is best to aim for a nursing role like a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

Common Procedures Performed

Some of the most common tests performed by phlebotomists include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Blood Culture
• Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
• Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
• Blood Glucose Test
• Lipid Panel
• Renal Function Tests
• Coagulation Tests (PT/INR, aPTT)
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
• Hemoglobin A1c Test

Where Do Phlebotomists Work?

Phlebotomists work in a variety of healthcare settings. Common work environments include:

• Hospitals: In hospitals, they typically work in the laboratory or pathology department. They may go on “rounds” throughout the hospital, visiting patient rooms each morning to collect blood as per the physician’s order.
  • Stress Level: Moderate due to emergency or STAT lab draws at any time.
  • Working Hours: Typical hours (9 AM – 5 PM) with weekend and night shifts.

• Clinical Laboratories & Diagnostic Labs: These are labs where patients come specifically for bloodwork. Here, phlebotomists collect samples from outpatients. 
  • Stress Level: Low, unless experiencing rush. The environment is often a steady flow of patients with lab orders from their doctors.
  • Work Hours: Regular business hours (8 AM – 5 PM)

• Doctor’s Offices and Clinics: Some large clinics may hire phlebotomists to draw blood on-site so patients don’t have to go to an outside lab. In these settings, phlebotomists may also do basic medical assisting tasks when not drawing blood.
  • stress Level: Low to moderate, as it can become hectic at times.
  • Work Hours: Regular clinic hours with occasional weekend shifts.

• Blood Donation Centers: Phlebotomists who work at blood banks or donation centers primarily collect units of blood from volunteer donors. They set up and take down mobile blood drive equipment, ensure donors are eligible and feeling well, perform the venipuncture for donation, and monitor donors post-donation. 
  • Stress Level: Moderate due to a physically demanding job setting.
  • Work Hours: Variable hours. Also, they may require occasional travel.

• Nursing Homes and Assisted Living: While not permanent, some phlebotomists travel to long-term care facilities to draw blood from residents who can’t travel to a lab. 
  • Stress Level: Low, unless an emergency blood work is required.
  • Working Hours: Vary significantly.

• Home Health and Mobile Phlebotomy: Mobile phlebotomists visit patients at home to collect specimens. It should be noted that these phlebotomists often work for specialty labs or as independent contractors. 
  • Stress Level: Low.
  • Work Hours: Varying. Appointment-based.

• Research Laboratories: In research institutions or clinical trials units, phlebotomists may draw blood specifically for research studies. The setting could be a research clinic or hospital research ward.
  • Stress Level: Low.
  • Work Hours: Regular working hours (8 AM – 5 PM).

Overall, the work environment for a phlebotomist can range from the high-paced, high-volume hospital setting to a quieter clinic or traveling job with relatively manageable stress levels.

Workplace Hazards and Health

Since phlebotomists work with sharp instruments and around sick patients, a common question that gets asked is “Do phlebotomists get sick a lot?” 

Well, they are not typically at higher risk for common illnesses like colds than any other healthcare worker in an outpatient setting. However, they must be cautious of bloodborne diseases; the rigorous use of gloves, safety needles, and proper disposal is designed to prevent any transmission.

How Much Do Phlebotomists Make?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomists make $43,660 per year. This figure can increase or decrease based on your experience and phlebotomy niche. 

What’s the Job Outlook for This Role?

Employment looks very promising at 8% growth from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

This translates to about 19,600 openings for phlebotomists each year, on average, over the decade.

Which Phlebotomist Makes The Most Money?

Leadership roles like phlebotomy supervisor make the most money at $70,000*. However, it can vary, and the  following are the highest-earning phlebotomist roles according to ZipRecruiter:

• Phlebotomy Supervisor: $48,000-$70,000 per year
• Traveling Phlebotomist: $42,000-$61,000 per year
• Laboratory Phlebotomist: $45,500-$60,500 per year
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician: $40,000-$57,000 per year
• Certified Phlebotomist: $36,000-$52,000 per year
• Phlebotomy Specialist: $40,000-$50,000 per year
• Mobile Phlebotomist: $34,500-$47,500 per year
• Float Phlebotomist: $36,500-$43,500 per year
• Phlebotomist Associate: $34,000-$42,500 per year
• Representative Phlebotomy Services: $33,500-$40,000 per year

What Can I Do After Phlebotomy?

With phlebotomy, you can springboard to other roles like:

• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
• Patient Care Technician (PCT)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• EKG Technician

A Day in the Life of a Phlebotomist

While the daily routine can vary by workplace, let’s take the example of a hospital phlebotomist. Here’s what their typical day looks like:

• Morning: At the start of the shift, a phlebotomist usually checks for aligned tests. Next, they will sanitize and organize their instruments. In a hospital setting, they will receive a list of patients who need to get their blood work done, prioritizing urgent draws or STAT.
• Throughout the day: After the urgent morning rounds, a phlebotomist will continue to draw blood or collect other specimens and deliver samples to the lab. Additionally, they’ll answer any calls from nurses or doctors regarding the tests.
• End of the day: Near the end of the shift, a phlebotomist might perform a second run (depending on the setting). After that, they’ll restock supplies, sanitize instruments, and align tasks for the next shift.

What Does a Typical Phlebotomist and Patient Interaction Look Like?

Once again, it’ll depend on the work environment, but let’s take the example of a hospital phlebotomist:

1. The phlebotomist will enter the patient’s room and introduce themselves. 
2. They’ll verify the patient’s identity.
3. Briefly mention the process and what the patient can expect. 
4. Wash your hands and put on a pair of clean gloves. 
5. Tie the tourniquet around the patient’s arm to make the veins visible. 
6. Clean the skin with alcohol swabs.
7. Insert a needle into the vein of the patient. 
8. If the patient feels anxious or scared, the phlebotomist will calm them down or distract them. 
9. Next, they’ll attach a collection tube for blood collection. 
10. After the sample has been collected, they’ll remove the needle and quickly apply pressure to the insertion site. 
11. Next, they’ll label the collection tube with the patient’s name, collection date, and time. 
12. Finally, they’ll deliver the blood sample to the lab for testing.

How to Become a Phlebotomist (Education & Certification)

One of the main reasons to become a phlebotomist is that you can enter the healthcare industry relatively quickly. Here’s what the typical process of becoming a phlebotomist looks like:

Step 1: Graduate from high school or obtain an equivalent GED. 

Step 2: Complete a phlebotomy training program with hands-on practice offered by community colleges, vocational schools, or specialized training centers. 

Step 3: Earn a certificate from a recognized certifying body like the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), National Healthcareer Association (NHA), and American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Step 4: Apply for phlebotomy positions.

NOTE: If you enroll in fast-track training programs like the CCI Training Center Phlebotomy Technician Course, you can get job-ready in as little as 4 weeks.

Skills and Qualities Needed for Phlebotomy

Being a successful phlebotomist requires a mix of technical skills, knowledge, and personal qualities.

• Technical Skill and Dexterity: While the course will train you for this, phlebotomists must have good hand-eye coordination and a steady hand. Inserting a needle into a vein (especially small or hard-to-find veins) demands precision.
• Knowledge of Procedures and Safety Protocols: A strong understanding of phlebotomy techniques and medical knowledge, such as basic anatomy, is required. They also must know how to handle specimens.
• Communication Skills: Despite phlebotomy being a technical task, it’s a very people-oriented job. Phlebotomists need good interpersonal and communication skills. They should be able to explain the procedure in simple terms and answer patient questions. 
• Empathy and Compassion: Tying in with communication, having a compassionate attitude helps phlebotomists care for people who might be sick, scared, or in pain.
• Physical Stamina and Stability: Phlebotomists are on their feet a lot, walking hospital hallways or standing at a phlebotomy station. They might have to help position patients, which can include some light lifting or supporting an arm.
• Integrity and Attention to Ethics: Phlebotomists deal with patient specimens and personal information, so they must work with integrity and follow HIPAA’s guidelines.
• Comfort with Technology: Modern phlebotomists often use computers or handheld devices to scan patient wristbands, print labels, or enter data. They might work with lab information systems. Being able to use these tools efficiently is important.

Final Words

Phlebotomy is a role that demands physical stamina and a steady hand with compassion. While it may not be the one that earns the most money, it is undoubtedly one of the quickest careers to get into the medical industry. 

For those inspired to pursue this career, phlebotomy is a field that combines technical skill with compassion. Every day as a phlebotomist, you tangibly contribute to healthcare, i.e., every test result that guides a diagnosis starts with someone like you drawing the blood. It’s a profession of precision, care, and trust.