Phlebotomy

Facts about Phlebotomist according to Occupational Outlook Handbook

2020 Median Pay:  $36,320 per year/ $17.46 per hour

Job Outlook (2020-2030): 22% increase

Number of Job openings (2020): 129,000

Phlebotomists work mainly in hospitals, medical labs, diagnostic labs, blood donor centers and doctors' offices. They draw blood from patients and blood donors and talk with the patients to put them at ease. Once the blood is drawn they will verify the patients information and label the drawn blood for testing or processing.

Phlebotomists usually work full time and may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may work in mobile centers, and may travel to long term care centers or patients homes.  Most enter the occupation with a postsecondary nondegree award from a phlebotomy program. 

Some tasks completed by Phlebotomists: 

~ Organize and ensure cleanliness of blood drawing trays. 

~ Ensure all instruments are sterile and all needles and syringes are first-time use. 

~ Draw blood from vein. 

~ Dispose of contaminated sharps according to laws, standards or policies. 

~ Match laboratory forms to the specimen tubes. 

~ Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids 

Tools Used For Phlebotomy

~ Gloves

~ Alcohol

~ Tourniquet

~ Tubes

~ Tape

~ Gauze

~ Blood Collection Needles

~ Capillary or hematocrit tubes

~ Blood collection trays

~ Anatomical Mannequins for training