Phlebotomists
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
Also known as: Certified Phlebotomist, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Clinical Phlebotomist, Collections Technician, Lab Liaison Technician, Laboratory Phlebotomist, Long Term Care Phlebotomist, Mobile Examiner, ...
Annual Salary
Median annual wage (May 2024)
Job Outlook
Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Faster than average)
What You'd Do
- Collect fluid or tissue samples, using appropriate collection procedures.
- Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
- Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
- Document route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and diagnosis.
- Draw blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel or finger stick methods.
- Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
- Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
- Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
- Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
- Conduct hemoglobin tests to ensure donor iron levels are normal.
- Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
- Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
- Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical professionals.
- Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis.
- Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.
- Transport specimens or fluid samples from collection sites to laboratories.
- Draw blood from arteries, using arterial collection techniques.
- Administer subcutaneous or intramuscular injects, in accordance with licensing restrictions.
- Calibrate or maintain machines, such as those used for plasma collection.
Top Skills
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Knowledge Areas
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level
Technology & Tools
Software and tools commonly used in this role
In-Demand Technologies
Other Tools
Work Styles
Personality traits and work styles important for this career
Key Abilities
Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on this job
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Environment
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.