What do phlebotomists do?
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.
Job titles to recognize in your search
O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.
- Lab Liaison Technician
- Mobile Examiner
- Patient Service Technician (PST)
- Phlebotomist Lab Assistant (Phlebotomist Laboratory Assistant)
- Phlebotomy Technician (Phlebotomy Tech)
- Registered Phlebotomist
- Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)
Core tasks to compare with a job posting
- 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.
- Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
- Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
- Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
- Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical professionals.
Prepare an application for this occupation
- Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
- Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
- Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
- Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.
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