Occupation

Phlebotomists

Human Advantage 75%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
3 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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

Also Known As: Certified Phlebotomist, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Clinical Phlebotomist, Collections Technician, Lab Liaison Technician, Laboratory Phlebotomist, Long Term Care Phlebotomist, Mobile Examiner +12 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
  2. Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
  3. Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
  4. Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
  5. Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
  6. Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
  7. Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
  8. Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical professionals.
  9. Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis.
  10. Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
  11. Document route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and diagnosis.
  12. Draw blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel or finger stick methods.
  13. Conduct hemoglobin tests to ensure donor iron levels are normal.
  14. Transport specimens or fluid samples from collection sites to laboratories.
  15. Collect fluid or tissue samples, using appropriate collection procedures.
  16. Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
  17. Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.

Supplemental Tasks (6)

  1. Administer subcutaneous or intramuscular injects, in accordance with licensing restrictions.
  2. Draw blood from arteries, using arterial collection techniques.
  3. Monitor blood or plasma donors during and after procedures to ensure health, safety, and comfort.
  4. Determine donor suitability, according to interview results, vital signs, and medical history.
  5. Calibrate or maintain machines, such as those used for plasma collection.
  6. Serve refreshments to donors to ensure absorption of sugar into their systems.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Confirm the identities of patients by verifying their personal information.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
45%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
32%
Some College Courses
14%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
5%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • JavaScript
  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word

Software (14)

  • Donor management system software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Iatric Systems MobiLab
  • Laboratory information system LIS
  • MEDITECH Blood Bank
  • MEDITECH Laboratory and Microbiology
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Scheduling software

Tools & Equipment (48)

  • Aliquot tubes
  • Barcode scanners
  • Biohazard spill kits
  • Blood collection syringes
  • Blood culture bottles
  • Blood culture incubators
  • Blood drawing syringes
  • Blood gas kits
  • Blood glucose monitoring equipment
  • Blood lancets
  • Blood specimen refrigerators
  • Capillary tubes
  • Culture plates
  • Digital timers
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) pipettes
  • Intravenous IV administration equipment
  • Laboratory centrifuges
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Medical face masks
  • Microcapillary hematocrit tubes
  • Microhematocrit tubes
  • Mobile barcode printers
  • Multi-sample blood collection needles
  • Occult blood kits
  • Personal computers
  • Phlebotomy carts
  • Phlebotomy chairs
  • Phlebotomy practice arms
  • Phlebotomy practice blocks
  • Phlebotomy practice heels
  • Phlebotomy transport bags
  • Phlebotomy trays
  • Protective aprons
  • Safety needles
  • Sharps disposal containers
  • Specimen tube holders
  • Sputum cups
  • Sterile screw-cap glass tubes
  • Sterile screw-cap plastic tubes
  • Transfer pipettes
  • Unopette equipment
  • Urine analysis equipment
  • Vein finding devices
  • Venipuncture butterfly needles
  • Venipuncture needle holders
  • Venipuncture needles
  • Venipuncture tourniquets

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
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