How to become a Phlebotomist

246

£17,000/y

avg. starting salary

Looking for a career in Phlebotomy? It’s in your blood… A Phlebotomist takes blood and other specimen samples from patients to send to laboratories for diagnostic testing. They work with adults and children of all ages, and are normally based in hospitals or private laboratories. Their job additionally involves analysing samples by taking note of the cell count and blood type compatibility. The information they collect is then logged into the patient’s records, and reported back to the referring physician. Other duties for a Phlebotomist include:

Interacting with patients to explain the process
Reassuring patients who feel nervous or uncomfortable
Drawing blood safely and efficiently
Taking into account the patients’ wellbeing whilst drawing blood
Labelling all samples with the patients’ name and date
Transporting samples to laboratories within specified timescales
Adhering to health and safety regulations to ensure samples aren’t contaminated

Excellent written and spoken communication skills are essential for anyone looking to become a Phlebotomist. It will be your responsibility to comfort distressed patients and show empathy – so a calming and reassuring nature is equally vital. You’ll also need to be able to handle the practical nature of the job, and have good hand/eye coordination, as well as a steady hand. If you’re prone to fainting at the sight of blood, this job probably isn’t for you. Other essential skills and attributes for a Phlebotomist include:

The ability to work well as part of a team
Good attention to detail
An in-depth knowledge of technical equipment
Excellent listening skills
A careful and methodical approach
The ability to handle confidential data with discretion

Phlebotomist

Up to £17,000

Phlebotomy Team Leader

Up to £22,000

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Up to £34,000

"Looking after people has always been my thing, and I wanted to find a job in the healthcare industry that didn’t require a large amount of studying (I’m more of a practical person). So I turned to Phlebotomy. Surprisingly, dealing with blood and needles isn’t an issue, and to be honest, it’s so much a part of my day-to-day job that I don’t even notice it anymore. Some patients are naturally uneasy at the sight of needles, so it can be a challenge to calm them down, but as long as I’m tactful, and distract their attention accordingly, everyone leaves the hospital with a sigh of relief combined with the words – ‘oh, it wasn’t that bad actually’."

Get qualified

There are no set entry requirements to become a Phlebotomist, although you may need core GCSE subjects such as Maths, English, and Science. Previous experience and qualification in a health and care based course would also be beneficial - such as the Phlebotomist Training Course and the Phlebotomist and Lab Technician Course.

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