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
135 mapped
Core skills
Service OrientationSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoringCoordinationReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeEducation and TrainingPsychology
Technology & tools
Medical softwareWeb platform development softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
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.Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.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.Conduct hemoglobin tests to ensure donor iron levels are normal.Transport specimens or fluid samples from collection sites to laboratories.Collect fluid or tissue samples, using appropriate collection procedures.Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.Administer subcutaneous or intramuscular injects, in accordance with licensing restrictions.Draw blood from arteries, using arterial collection techniques.Monitor blood or plasma donors during and after procedures to ensure health, safety, and comfort.Calibrate or maintain machines, such as those used for plasma collection.Determine donor suitability, according to interview results, vital signs, and medical history.Serve refreshments to donors to ensure absorption of sugar into their systems.
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
48 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Aerospace Medical Service (Air Force 4N0X1)Certified PhlebotomistCertified Phlebotomy TechnicianClinical PhlebotomistCollections TechnicianDental Assistant (Air Force 4Y0X1)Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force 4Y031)Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force 4Y071)Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force 4Y071H)Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force 4Y011)Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force 4Y051)Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force 4Y051H)Health Care Specialist (Army 68W)Health Services Management (Air Force 4A0X1)Health Services Management Apprentice (Air Force 4A031)Health Services Management Craftsman (Air Force 4A071)Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force 4A071S)Health Services Management Helper (Air Force 4A011)Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force 4A051)Health Services Management Journeyman, Health Information Technology (Air Force 4A051S)Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force 4A091)Health Services Technician (Coast Guard HS)Hospital Corpsman (Navy HM)Lab Liaison TechnicianLaboratory PhlebotomistLong Term Care PhlebotomistMedical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard MED)Medical Laboratory (Air Force 4T0X1)Medical Laboratory Apprentice (Air Force 4T031)Medical Laboratory Craftsman (Air Force 4T071)Medical Laboratory Helper (Air Force 4T011)Medical Laboratory Journeyman (Air Force 4T051)Medical Laboratory Specialist (Army 68K)Mobile ExaminerMobile PhlebotomistOutpatient PhlebotomistPatient Service Technician (PST)PhlebotomistPhlebotomy Services RepresentativePhlebotomy Services Technician