Phlebotomist
Job Description
A phlebotomist is a technician who is responsible for collecting blood. The job may entail drawing blood for donation or for analysis by a clinical laboratory. Blood tests may be performed to diagnose illnesses, determine the levels of nutrients in the blood or to evaluate whether certain medications are working properly. Phlebotomists sample blood by pricking the skin or through venipuncture. To perform the venipuncture procedure, a tourniquet is applied to the patient’s upper arm. After sterilizing the area, the phlebotomist locates a vein and carefully inserts a hollow needle that allows the blood to flow into vials for collection. Once the blood has been collected, the vials are labeled and sent for testing.
Salary
Phlebotomists usually work full time as hourly employees. The exact wages may vary depending upon education, experience and location, but the average salary ranges from $25,177 to $30,470 per year. The median income is $29,631.
Phlebotomist Salary Statistics as of 2015
Median annual salary for a Phlebotomist is $29,249 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $38,163. The lowest salary reported was $20,334. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Median hourly wage for a Phlebotomist is $14 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly wage recorded was $18. The lowest hourly wage recorded was $9. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Bonuses for a Phlebotomist are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The biggest bonus recorded was $0 from someone with 15+ years of experience. The smallest bonus recorded was $0 from someone with under 1 year of experience.
These are the top 5 highest paying states for a Phlebotomist. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
1. California – $14,838 – $67,871
2. Texas – $25,437 – $46,369
3. Illinois – $14,597 – $35,355
4. Georgia – $28,038 – $35,159
5. Florida – $24,437 – $34,817
These are the top 5 highest paying cities for a Phlebotomist. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
1. Houston, Texas – $15,834 – $28,213
2. Dallas, Texas – $16,905 – $28,563
3. Atlanta, Georgia – $16,000 – $30,700
4. Los Angeles, California – $17,880 – $31,958
5. Chicago, Illinois – $18,000 – $32,500
This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Phlebotomist from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $34,286 while in 2008 it was just $24,542.
Work Environment
Because phlebotomy is an essential part of diagnostic medicine, phlebotomists are needed in every medical institution. They work in hospitals, assisted care facilities, schools, doctors’ offices and centers for blood donation. In most cases, they work under a clinical laboratory technician or another medical professional. Because the exact location a phlebotomist works in can vary greatly, the working conditions are often difficult to predict. Individuals working in hospitals or assisted care facilities usually work around 40 hours each week, and they may be required to work weekends. The hours for phlebotomists working in doctors’ offices or other facilities with shorter hours may work part time or full time, and they usually will not need to work evenings or weekends.
Phlebotomists are responsible for checking details about patients and verifying referrals from doctors. Because many people are afraid of needles, they must also reassure and comfort patients before and during the blood drawing process. Following the blood draw, they must provide aftercare to patients who have adverse reactions. Organization is a must. Phlebotomists must accurately label and keep track of samples, order supplies and maintain laboratory equipment. Other key responsibilities include observing strict safety protocols and ensuring properly storing and transporting samples or blood collected for donation.
The stress factor of working as a phlebotomist varies depending on the setting in which one works. Working in an emergency room setting, for example, can be quite stressful. Dealing with patients who are afraid of needles can greatly increase the job’s stress factor as well.
How To Become a Phlebotomist
In order to become a phlebotomist, it is necessary to first finish high school or obtain a GED. It is also necessary to complete a training program. These programs are commonly offered at community colleges and vocational schools. The training program teaches students how to draw blood as well as the necessary information about human anatomy and medical terminology. Some courses also place students in a clinical setting where they can practice drawing blood while observing the proper safety procedures.
Many employers will only hire phlebotomists who have been certified by taking an exam through an organization such as the National Phlebotomy Association, American Medical Technologists or the American Society for Clinical Pathologists. In order to become certified, it may also be necessary to meet specific experience and educational requirements. To take a certification exam, it is usually necessary to complete a training program and perform 25 successful skin punctures and 100 successful venipunctures. To earn certification through the National Phlebotomy Association, students must complete 200 hours of training, including clinical experience. They must also pass the national certification exam with a test score of 70% or higher. Some states require licencing as well. Once one is certified as a phlebotomist, continuing education is needed to maintain certification.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for phlebotomists is excellent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is projected to grow by 16% due to a large number of job openings because of people leaving the field to retire or pursue different careers. The field is also expending due to an increasing need for an expanding number of blood tests. As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, more and more positions will continue to open up.
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