Phlebotomists

What the job really is

Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Support
• O*NET-SOC code: 31-9097
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
• Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
• Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
• Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
• Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
• Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
• 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.
• Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis.
• Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
• Document route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and diagnosis.
• Draw blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel or finger stick methods.

Tools and technology

JavaScript, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Aliquot tubes, Barcode scanners, Biohazard spill kits, Blood collection syringes, Blood culture bottles, Blood culture incubators

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Histotechnologists
• Medical Assistants
• Paramedics
• Surgical Technologists
• Surgical Assistants

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Phlebotomists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.