What is a Phlebotomist?

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?

• Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis.
• Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
• Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
• Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical professionals.
• Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.
• Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.

Phlebotomist Needed 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.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Phlebotomy Services Representative
• Long Term Care Phlebotomist
• Outpatient Phlebotomist
• Patient Service Technician PST
• Venipuncturist

Is There Job Demand for Phlebotomists?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 122,700 jobs in the United States for Phlebotomists.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 24.5% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 30,100 new jobs for Phlebotomists by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 16,900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Phlebotomists are California, Texas, and Florida.

Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Alaska, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Phlebotomists Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Phlebotomists is somewhere between $25,020 and $49,060. A Phlebotomist median salary is $34,480.

How much do Phlebotomists make in each U.S. state?

Annual Mean Salary by State

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

Tools & Technologies Used by Phlebotomists

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

• MEDITECH software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Excel
• Medical procedure coding software
• Microsoft Word
• JavaScript
• Microsoft Office

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons