Occupation · SOC 31-9097
Phlebotomists
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
Median wage
$43,660
$34,860–$57,750
Projected growth
+5.6%
Average growth
Annual openings
790
per year
Employed (US)
138,880
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
134 mapped
Core skills
Service OrientationSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingReading ComprehensionMonitoringCoordinationTime ManagementInstructingActive LearningQuality Control AnalysisLearning StrategiesJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesScienceOperations MonitoringSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisMathematicsTroubleshootingOperation and ControlNegotiationManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignProgrammingEquipment MaintenanceRepairingOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeEducation and TrainingPsychologyComputers and ElectronicsMedicine and DentistryPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementBiologyProduction and ProcessingPersonnel and Human ResourcesChemistryLaw and GovernmentSociology and AnthropologyMathematicsCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsMechanicalForeign LanguageTransportationTherapy and CounselingEconomics and AccountingDesignBuilding and ConstructionEngineering and TechnologyPhysicsSales and MarketingPhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionGeographyFine ArtsHistory and Archeology
Technology & tools
Donor management system softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareIatric Systems MobiLabJavaScriptLaboratory information system LISMEDITECH Blood BankMEDITECH Laboratory and MicrobiologyMEDITECH softwareMedical procedure coding softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordScheduling software
Representative tasks
Assisting and Caring for OthersGetting InformationWorking with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDocumenting/Recording InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsTraining and Teaching OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleAnalyzing Data or InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesControlling Machines and ProcessesThinking CreativelyStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Contaminated sharps disposal — follow established protocols under direct supervision to ensure compliance with applicable laws and facility policies in a clinical laboratory or outpatient draw station.Blood-drawing tray setup — organize and inspect trays for sterility and first-use needles and syringes under the guidance of a senior phlebotomist in a healthcare setting.Venipuncture technique — perform basic vacuum tube blood draws under direct supervision on cooperative adult patients in a hospital or clinic environment.Laboratory requisition forms — match printed or electronic requisition forms to correctly labeled specimen tubes under supervisor review in a processing area.Biohazard fluid disposal — dispose of blood and other biohazardous materials following facility protocols and applicable regulations under direct oversight in a clinical setting.Patient identification — verify two patient identifiers before specimen collection using established facility procedures in an inpatient or outpatient draw environment.Standard phlebotomy equipment — identify and handle needles, syringes, and butterfly sets correctly under direct supervision on a healthcare unit.Medical terminology — recognize common laboratory test names and abbreviations when reading requisition forms in a clinical laboratory context.Specimen labeling — apply accurate patient and collection-time labels to specimen tubes immediately after collection under guidance in a draw station.Infection control basics — apply standard precautions including hand hygiene and personal protective equipment under direct supervision during all specimen collection activities.
developing
Sharps disposal compliance — consistently manage and document contaminated sharps disposal in accordance with OSHA regulations and facility policy with minimal oversight in a high-volume phlebotomy setting.Tray and instrument maintenance — independently organize, restock, and verify sterility of blood-drawing trays at the start and end of each shift in a busy outpatient laboratory.Multi-method venipuncture — perform vacuum tube, syringe, and butterfly venipuncture methods on a range of patient populations with reduced supervision in inpatient and outpatient environments.Requisition-to-tube matching — accurately reconcile laboratory requisition forms to the correct specimen tubes and verify test codes before specimen transport with routine efficiency.Standard laboratory tests — conduct routine tests including blood glucose screening, blood smears, and blood alcohol collections following established protocols in a clinical laboratory.Timed specimen collection — collect specimens at prescribed intervals for therapeutic drug monitoring and glucose tolerance tests, adjusting scheduling as needed in a fast-paced clinical environment.Specimen processing — centrifuge, aliquot, and prepare blood and fluid samples for downstream analysis by laboratory professionals with limited direction in a processing laboratory.Patient communication — explain collection procedures clearly to anxious or pediatric patients using active listening and plain language in a patient-facing draw center.Electronic health records — enter and retrieve specimen data accurately using medical software and office suite applications in an integrated healthcare system.Time management — prioritize multiple concurrent draw orders and timed collections to meet turnaround time targets independently in a high-demand clinical setting.
proficient
Complex venipuncture scenarios — perform successful blood draws on difficult-access patients, including elderly, pediatric, and oncology populations, autonomously and with minimal patient discomfort in acute care settings.Biohazard compliance leadership — audit disposal practices for blood and biohazardous materials across the team and recommend corrective actions to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance in a multi-site facility.Advanced specimen collection — independently conduct blood cultures, peak-and-trough drug level draws, and oral glucose tolerance tests while managing strict timing requirements in a hospital laboratory.Quality control of specimens — evaluate specimen integrity, identify hemolysis, clotting, or labeling errors, and initiate recollection procedures with clinical judgment in a laboratory environment.Requisition reconciliation — resolve discrepancies between electronic orders and physical specimens by coordinating with nursing and laboratory staff autonomously in a complex health system.Tray and supply oversight — manage inventory levels, evaluate vendor supplies for quality compliance, and maintain sterile technique standards across an entire phlebotomy department.Cross-functional coordination — collaborate with nursing, pathology, and medical staff to ensure seamless specimen workflow and timely result delivery in an integrated hospital setting.Patient safety monitoring — recognize and respond to adverse reactions such as syncope or hematoma formation during or after collection, applying appropriate first-aid protocols independently.Documentation and reporting — produce accurate written reports of collection incidents, near-misses, and quality deviations using electronic health record and spreadsheet software in a compliance-driven environment.Regulatory knowledge application — interpret and apply updated CLSI standards, OSHA guidelines, and facility accreditation requirements to daily phlebotomy practice without supervisory direction.
advanced
Departmental standards development — design and implement phlebotomy protocols, disposal policies, and quality assurance frameworks aligned with regulatory requirements across an entire healthcare organization.Staff training and mentorship — develop and deliver competency-based training curricula for emerging and developing phlebotomists, using instructional best practices in classroom and clinical environments.Performance metrics leadership — establish key performance indicators for specimen quality, turnaround time, and patient satisfaction, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across a multi-site laboratory network.Regulatory compliance strategy — lead organizational preparation for accreditation inspections by CAP, TJC, or OSHA, ensuring all phlebotomy practices meet or exceed current standards.Technology integration — evaluate, implement, and champion medical software, scheduling platforms, and electronic health record systems to optimize phlebotomy operations across a health system.Workforce planning — assess staffing needs, recruit qualified candidates, and design scheduling models to ensure adequate coverage and maintain service quality in a high-volume clinical environment.Cross-departmental policy influence — partner with laboratory directors, nursing leadership, and risk management to align specimen collection policies with patient safety and operational goals at an executive level.Competency assessment program — design and administer formal competency evaluation tools for phlebotomy staff, ensuring ongoing proficiency and professional development within the department.Budget and resource management — oversee procurement of phlebotomy supplies, negotiate vendor contracts, and manage departmental budgets to balance cost efficiency with quality and compliance.Organizational culture of safety — champion a culture of attention to detail, integrity, and cautiousness by modeling exemplary practice and establishing accountability systems across the phlebotomy workforce.
Also known as
20 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Certified PhlebotomistCertified Phlebotomy TechnicianClinical PhlebotomistCollections TechnicianLab Liaison TechnicianLaboratory PhlebotomistLong Term Care PhlebotomistMobile ExaminerMobile PhlebotomistOutpatient PhlebotomistPatient Service Technician (PST)PhlebotomistPhlebotomy Services RepresentativePhlebotomy Services TechnicianPhlebotomy TechnicianPhlebotomy TechnologistRegistered PhlebotomistResearch PhlebotomistTravel PhlebotomistVenipuncturist