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What does a phlebotomist do?A phlebotomist collects blood samples from patients for medical testing. Although a handful of phlebotomists work in the field, the vast majority of phlebotomists work in hospitals or in larger medical practices.Working as a phlebotomist requires two critical skills. First, phlebotomists must learn how to safely draw blood while causing as little discomfort as possible. During phlebotomy training courses, technicians learn how to quickly locate veins and effortlessly insert different kinds of needles. Medical training schools also educate students about handling blood to prevent transmission of viruses and other blood-borne diseases. Second, phlebotomists must be accurate at all times. In larger medical facilities, phlebotomists often make the rounds of a ward or a building before dropping off samples to the laboratory. Not only must these career technicians draw enough blood from each patient for multiple tests, they must make sure that all labels are correct and deposited properly. Failure to maintain accuracy not only means causing more pain to a patient, it can also mean delays in a patient's treatment. Increased pressure on medical labs to complete more tests with faster turnaround times has created a demand for trained phlebotomists. Fortunately, most high school graduates can complete basic phlebotomy training without enrolling in a formal bachelor's degree program. Most employers prefer to hire technicians with phlebotomy certification. In some states, certification can be obtained with as few as twenty hours of formal training. With a starting hourly wage of around $11, phlebotomy offers a convenient way to launch a medical career.
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