Phlebotomy Technician Job Description, Career as a Phlebotomy Technician, Salary, Employment

Training/Educational Requirements: Training with license preferred

Median Salary: $30,000 per year

Job Prospects: Good

Job Description

Phlebotomy technicians collect blood samples from patients. They may work in a variety of different capacities to collect these blood samples, but this is always their major focus. Another big part of their job is the preparing of the blood samples for a variety of different tests and procedures.

Phlebotomy technicians have an ability to work well with patients and to keep them calm,
an aspect of phlebotomy that most people don’t realize is important. Phlebotomists explain procedures to patients, and they then must provide a calm and trusting environment as they draw the blood. Since so many patients are apprehensive when they get their blood drawn, having a good personality is an important and often overlooked responsibility of of a phlebotomy technician.

Phlebotomy technicians are not only responsible for taking blood but also preparing the area that the blood will be drawn from. These techs must first clean the area, then properly apply pressure, and finally be sure that the area is safe and clean after the blood is drawn. Phlebotomy technicians are responsible for storing the blood for whatever purposes it is required, and this can involve a variety of different processes and procedures. This can involve putting the blood into appropriately marked containers, adding stain for further procedures, and any other preparation for specific and detailed tests.

Phlebotomy technicians may also be responsible for monitoring vital signs of the patient, as they work as a part of a medical staff. Though they are in a technician role, phlebotomists often have to check blood pressure and heart rate as part of their responsibilities. They must update patient records with very detailed information. They are often solely responsible for the laboratory where the blood work is drawn, preparing and cleaning up the area and maintaining inventory.

Training/Educational Requirements

Though many phlebotomy technicians have an associate or even bachelor’s degree, neither is a requirement. Completion a phlebotomy program is the requirement that most employers are looking for because this covers all of the basics of this profession. Any coursework in biology or a related science can be quite helpful as well. Though licensing is not always a requirement, more and more employers are looking for phlebotomy technicians to have a license. This is an additional training step that must be completed after a program is successfully passed.

There are a variety of different courses, training programs, and licensing programs that a phlebotomy technician may engage in to stay competitive. Though many of these are not a requirement, they can further help the career of those who work in this field. It is usually required that phlebotomy technicians take CPR and any other general training courses to keep fresh with all aspects of patient care.

How to Get Hired

The best way to get hired is to have successfully completed a phlebotomy program. Beyond that, one of the best ways to stand out from the crowd and ultimately to be hired is to get a license in phlebotomy. Additionally, any training along the way can help an individual to stay fresh and to ensure that they get hired over other candidates.

Moving throughout a career in this field, a phlebotomy technician should gain experience in a variety of different environments. Working with patients in a hospital, at a lab, or through other environments can help these techs to gain valuable experience that potential future employers will be interested in. Keeping current with CPR and any other training also can help phlebotomy technicians to progress in their career in phlebotomy.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook, and Career Development

Jobs within the health care industry are doing quite well right now, and the sector of phlebotomy is no exception. Because the health care industry is not necessarily dependent on the economy, the jobs continue to be created. For phlebotomy technicians, there is always a need because most people need to have their blood drawn at least once. There are a variety of different environments that phlebotomy technicians may work within, and this too contributes to the job openings and potential opportunities for those who work in the phlebotomy field. Though it is a hot career right now, phlebotomy can be rather competitive. Anything that a phlebotomy technician can do to stand out, such as obtaining a license or gaining valuable experience, can increase the potential for job opportunities.

Working Environment

There are a variety of working environments that phlebotomy technicians may work within, including hospitals, labs, doctor’s offices, and even donation facilities. The specific employer dictates what the environment will be like, but most center on a laboratory-like area where patients sit and have their blood drawn. Often phlebotomy techs are solely responsible for their own working environment, and so they may work alone within a larger office. These medical professionals usually handle all of their required responsibilities from this one area, though they may travel to other areas within a doctor’s office or hospital, as necessary. The environment may be stressful at times because patients can become quite anxious when getting their blood drawn, and phlebotomy technicians must be able to keep them calm as part of their job.

Salary and Benefits

On average, a phlebotomy technician earns around $30,000 per year. The salary can vary significantly depending on the experience that the individual has, as well as the geography of the job itself. Other factors, such as the type of employer, can play a role in the salary that phlebotomy technicians earn. In addition to their salary, most phlebotomy technicians receive standard benefits, such as paid vacation and holidays, good medical coverage, and some sort of pension savings account. Sometimes the pay range may be on an hourly rate, and the benefits may not be as plentiful in those circumstances.