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Phlebotomists

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.

What you’d do

  • Confirm the identities of patients by verifying their personal information.
  • Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
  • Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
  • Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
  • Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
  • Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
  • Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
  • Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.

Skills that matter

  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Coordination

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Lab Liaison Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician (Phlebotomy Tech)
  • Registered Phlebotomist
  • Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)
  • Mobile Examiner
  • Patient Service Technician (PST)

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