Phlebotomists

Overview

Phlebotomists has a national median salary of $45,230 per year, with +6.8% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

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.

Work Values

• Support
• Achievement
• Relationships

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Confirm the identities of patients by verifying their personal information.
• Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
• Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
• Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
• Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.

Work Activities

• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Working with Computers
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Developing and Building Teams
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Detailed Work Activities

• Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished an associate's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Associate's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a postsecondary certificate.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Phlebotomists:

Video Resources