What Is a Phlebotomist? (2024)

A phlebotomist is an allied medical professional who draws blood from patients for lab tests, transfusions, or donation. The word “phlebotomy” is derived from the Greek phleps, meaning “vein,” and tomia, meaning “cutting.”

Phlebotomists are trained to collect blood by different methods, including:

• Venipuncture (using a needle to draw blood from a vein)
• Finger pricks
• Heel pricks (used in infants)
  

Phlebotomists work in hospitals, medical offices, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and blood donation centers. While other medical personnel, such as nurses or medical assistants, can draw blood, phlebotomists are specially trained to do so.

What Are Phlebotomists Trained to Do?

Phlebotomists don’t treat patients, but they work closely with patients, including newborns, babies, children, adults, and older adults.

Phlebotomists are trained to draw, collect, and properly handle, store, and deliver blood in the correct containers. They do not process blood but are responsible for ensuring that the blood reaches the lab safely with the correct labels and documentation.

A phlebotomist can draw anything from a drop for a rapid blood test to around 500 millimeters (mL) for a typical blood donation.

Phlebotomists can also perform therapeutic phlebotomy, a procedure in which 500 mL of blood is taken once or twice a week to help normalize iron blood levels in people with hereditary hemochromatosis.

The tools commonly used by a phlebotomist include:

• Syringes: These are handheld devices with needles used to collect blood from veins. There are different types, including a butterfly needle.
• Multi-sample blood collection needle: This device has two needles, one that is inserted into a vein and another that is inserted into multiple vacuum tubes to fill.
• Tourniquet: This is an elastic band wrapped around an arm or leg that causes veins to swell, making them easier to find and use.
• Vacuum-sealed test tubes: When the collection needle pierces the rubber lid of one of these, the vacuum helps draw in the blood. The tubes have different colored lids indicating different uses.
• Low-volume collection tubes: These tiny collection tubes are used to collect blood from a skin puncture in your finger or heel.
• Pipettes: These are very narrow, open-ended tubes that can suck a small sample of blood for use in rapid testing.
• Blood culture bottles: These are bottles used to collect blood samples from people suspected of having a serious blood infection, called septicemia.
• Blood donation bags: These bags, typically made of plasticized PVC, are used to collect donated blood. Each bag contains an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that keeps the blood from clotting.

A phlebotomist can undergo additional training to become a hemodialysis technician. This is an allied medical professional who connects patients to hemodialysis machines that continuously filter blood in people with end-stage kidney disease.

How Do You Become a Phlebotomist?

Phlebotomists typically enter the job market with a certificate from a post-secondary phlebotomy program, There are certain qualifications and steps you need to take to become a phlebotomist:

1. Graduate high school: A high school diploma, or an equivalent GED, is required for admission to an approved phlebotomy training program. However, many people pursuing training hold an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as nursing.
2. Enroll in a phlebotomy program: The program needs to be certified by the state, so check with your state medical board before applying. While online courses may be offered, phlebotomy is a hands-on career that requires in-classroom training.
3. Undergo training: Phlebotomy programs vary based largely on the degree you enter with and the laws of your state. Postgraduate training for nurses and medical technologists may only take four to eight weeks, while post-secondary training among recent high school graduates can take up to eight months.
4. Obtain certification: After completing training, most people seek certification. There are no federal requirements for licensure or certification, and the laws governing phlebotomists vary by state. Most employers will hire only phlebotomists who have successfully passed a certification exam.

There are several certifying bodies for phlebotomists, including:

• National Phlebotomy Association (NPA)
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• National Healthcare Association (NHA)

Each organization has different certification requirements, including the number of “sticks” you need to perform before certification is issued. For instance, the ASPT requires at least 75 documented venipunctures and five documented skin punctures, while the AMT requires 50 documented venipunctures and 10 documented skin punctures.

After becoming certified, continuing medical education is required to maintain the certification.

How Much Does a Phlebotomist Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), phlebotomy is an in-demand career, with an estimated 19,500 new applicants entering the job market every year. Employment for phlebotomists is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

In 2023, the BLS reported that the median annual salary for a phlebotomist in the United States was $41,810. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,310, while the highest 10% earned more than $55,330.

The BLS also reports that the median annual salary differs by the organization that hires you:

• Outpatient care centers: $46,130
• Medical and diagnostic labs: $45,100
• State, local, and private hospitals: $39,920
• Physicians’ offices: $39,800
• All other ambulatory healthcare services: $37,750
  

In 2022, an estimated 139,400 phlebotomists were employed in the United States in places like hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donation centers, and physicians’ offices.

Appointment Tips for Having Your Blood Drawn

Drawing blood usually takes less than three minutes. Even so, there are things that can complicate and even spoil an otherwise straightforward procedure.

Here are some simple tips that can make your blood draw appointment successful:

• Check availability: If you’re getting your blood drawn for medical reasons, you’ll probably want it done directly following an office visit. Because lab hours can vary, it helps to double-check that a phlebotomist will be available during your visit. If not, you may need to reschedule your appointment to avoid making two trips.
• Follow fasting rules: Some blood tests—such as glucose tests that check blood sugar levels and lipid panels that measure cholesterol levels—require you to avoid eating or drinking anything except water for eight to 12 hours before the blood draw. If you think fasting will be a problem, schedule your appointment early in the morning and bring a snack to eat afterward.
• Let them know if you’re nervous: Don’t be afraid to share your concerns with the phlebotomist. Whether you hate needles or faint at the sight of blood, they can offer tips formaking blood draws easier, find ways to help you relax, and offer distractions like toys for children. If your veins are small or hard to access, the phlebotomist can even use a smaller needle.

Summary

A phlebotomist is an allied medical professional who draws blood. To become a phlebotomist, you need to have a minimum high school degree and undergo phlebotomy training, which can range from several weeks to several months. Certification is recommended to improve your chances of employment.