What is a Phlebotomist

What is a Phlebotomist?

Phlebotomists are individuals trained to draw blood from a live person or animal.

Career Overview

Phlebotomists collect blood primarily by performing venipuncture and, for collection of minute quantities of blood, fingersticks. Blood may be collected from infants by means of a heel stick. Specially trained phlebotomists collect arterial blood samples from the radial artery of the wrist or brachial artery in the antecubital area (bend in the arm) for arterial blood gas test.

Certain people need to receive regular phlebotomy.  People who have an overabundance of iron in the blood have a condition called hemochromatosis. Those with a condition called polycythemia have bodies that produce too many red blood cells. Patients with this condition need to have frequent phlebotomy as well.

A phlebotomist is a medical technician trained specifically to take blood samples and to perform basic laboratory tasks including setting up samples for analysis and entering lab results.

The phlebotomy technician has to have knowledge of the tests requested, note the time of blood collection, and be aware of patient conditions that may interfere with testing.

A phlebotomist will need to interact with other professionals such as doctors, laboratory scientists, and nurses.  A phlebotomist will explain the procedure to the patient, perform clerical duties, clean and sterilize equipment, helps maintain the medical record, and send blood samples to the laboratory for further processing and testing.

Working Environment

Phlebotomists are hired by a variety of facilities, hospitals, laboratories, physician offices, research centers, clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, and health organizations.  Phlebotomists are trained to work with blood products, and to use special safety precautions. The job requires prolonged periods standing or walking.  Depending upon the location of employment, hours may include evenings, nights, weekends, as well as holidays.

Employment Opportunities

Becoming a phlebotomist is a career worth considering if you want to work in health care or other related fields. The average salary for a phlebotomist is $28,080 per year, depending on location, years of experience, as well as employer.  A phlebotomist’s salary can also vary greatly due to size of institute and assignment of duties.  Phlebotomy is one of the most lucrative careers in the health care field. Phlebotomy is fun and rewarding job; it is also a great stepping stone to other career possibilities in the health care industry.