Phlebotomist Career Guide

Sample job description

A phlebotomist is needed for urgent hire at [Your Company Name]! A phlebotomist is a person that removes blood from the arm of a patient. Although this job seems simple enough, there are several underlying responsibilities and knowledge needed that you must be aware of prior to applying. Blood can be taken out of the body for multiple reasons. One of these reasons is an attempt to learn about the patient, whether that is figuring out their blood type, testing for diabetes, checking glucose levels, or any other factor that is important for the hospital to know. The second reason is for general lab research. In order to find cures for diseases, solutions to problems, experiments, etc., real blood is needed. The third reason is for donation. Donating blood is crucial for people with illnesses where their bodies cannot supply enough blood on their own, as well as keeping victims of gory incidents alive. Depending on the reasoning for taking the blood, different amounts are needed. This is where the knowledge of the phlebotomist is needed. If small amounts of blood are needed, phlebotomists may take blood from the capillaries, which is slightly different from a vein. On top of all this, you must label patients’ blood samples and continually organize the inventory.

Typical duties and responsibilities

• Draw blood from patients and donors
• Talk to people to ease their concerns about the process
• Enter patients’ information in a database
• Label blood for testing 
• Use basic medical supplies such as needles and vials
• Clean and sanitize equipment and workspaces 

Education and experience

Phlebotomists must have a high school diploma or equivalent. They need to earn a post-secondary certification from a phlebotomy program at a vocational school or community college. These programs, which usually take less than a year, include classes in anatomy and physiology and work in a laboratory. 

Required skills and qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills for dealing with patients, doctors, and staff
• Dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and physical stamina
• Discretion and the ability to handle confidential information
• Ability to work carefully and accurately under pressure
• Caring and compassionate demeanor
• Keen attention to detail

Preferred qualifications

• 3+ years working in a hospital or clinic as a phlebotomist
• Experience working with children and the elderly
• Strong communication skills; both written and verbal
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment
• Comfortable working under minimal supervision

Available certifications

There are multiple certifications that a phlebotomist may need to secure to stand out amongst the crowd of applicants. Here are the most popular.

• NPA. The National Phlebotomy Association offers an exam, allowing you to not only prove your knowledge and skills but also separate yourself from most other workers in this field. Whether this training and exam are to help your skills increase, or catch the eye of an employer, this certification offers both. 

• CPT. Whether you’ve been in the field for many years, or have no experience, this certificate can be helpful for you. The Certified Phlebotomy Technician certificate offers a certificate to anyone willing to meet the qualifications, which are easily obtainable to anyone committed. These trainings/tests will help you flourish in your career, allowing employers to know you are qualified for the job.