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Phlebotomist

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What Do Phlebotomist Do?

Career Description 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 Do Phlebotomists Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
  • Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
  • Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.
  • Administer subcutaneous or intramuscular injects, in accordance with licensing restrictions.
  • Draw blood from arteries, using arterial collection techniques.
  • Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.

Phlebotomist Required Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Phlebotomists say are important on the job.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Other Phlebotomist Job Titles

  • Phlebotomy Program Coordinator
  • Phlebotomy Technologist
  • Patient Service Technician PST
  • Phlebotomy Services Technician
  • Phlebotomy Director

Phlebotomist Job Outlook

In the United States, there were 122,700 jobs for Phlebotomist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 24.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 30,100 new jobs for Phlebotomist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 16,900 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Phlebotomist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Connecticut, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Phlebotomist Salary

The typical yearly salary for Phlebotomists is somewhere between $25,020 and $49,060.

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Phlebotomists who work in California, District of Columbia, or New York, make the highest salaries.

How much do Phlebotomists make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $31,420
Alaska $42,290
Arizona $32,810
Arkansas $28,690
California $45,030
Colorado $35,800
Connecticut $39,310
Delaware $39,120
District of Columbia $41,600
Florida $32,280
Georgia $32,190
Idaho $31,920
Illinois $36,090
Indiana $34,290
Iowa $30,760
Kansas $32,890
Kentucky $31,130
Louisiana $29,970
Maine $31,190
Maryland $39,760
Massachusetts $39,970
Michigan $32,450
Minnesota $38,630
Mississippi $29,460
Missouri $31,320
Montana $32,240
Nebraska $32,000
Nevada $38,320
New Hampshire $39,870
New Jersey $38,090
New Mexico $29,700
New York $40,630
North Carolina $32,070
North Dakota $33,340
Ohio $34,230
Oklahoma $31,570
Oregon $39,150
Pennsylvania $34,370
Rhode Island $39,930
South Carolina $31,180
South Dakota $27,670
Tennessee $30,090
Texas $33,000
Utah $31,290
Vermont $35,740
Virginia $35,960
Washington $39,410
West Virginia $30,200
Wisconsin $35,530
Wyoming $32,160

What Tools do Phlebotomists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Phlebotomists:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • MEDITECH software
  • Scheduling software
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Laboratory information system LIS
  • Iatric Systems MobiLab

How to Become a Phlebotomist

What education or degrees do I need to become a Phlebotomist?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Phlebotomist?

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Where Phlebotomists Are Employed

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Phlebotomists work in the following industries:

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References:

Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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