​Job Overview Transcript

 

If you’ve ever had your blood drawn, chances are you’ve interacted with a phlebotomist. Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood.

While phlebotomists specialize in this area, they are responsible for many related duties as well. At the start of an appointment, they will converse with the patient or donor to explain the procedure, answer questions, and try to calm any anxiety the patient may be having. In the case of blood donations, phlebotomists are often in charge of screening potential donors. In physicians’ offices, they verify or record patients’ information. Phlebotomists also take care of labeling and storing blood samples for processing or testing.

There are a wide variety of locations where a phlebotomist can work, but they are most often found in physicians’ offices, hospitals, or clinics. Some phlebotomists may work in blood donation centers, blood banks, or reference labs instead.

Phlebotomists must have certain key skills in order to work effectively. They need to be exact and accurate, as precision is highly important when drawing blood. This level of detail is also necessary in other aspects of the work, such as preparing equipment or labeling blood samples. Good communication and people skills are vital: you will often be working with young children or the elderly, who may be apprehensive about the procedure. In addition, many patients and even donors suffer from needle phobia, an illogical fear of hypodermic needles which in extreme cases can cause patients to pass out. You need to be able to work with patients of any age, diversity, or condition to calm these fears and work quickly, neatly, and painlessly.

You need to have good vision, especially the ability to perceive changes in colors. You should be able to lift and carry up to 10 pounds frequently. And of course, you cannot suffer from needle phobia yourself. If you have any concerns, contact LBCC’s phlebotomy adviser before applying for admission to this program.

If you’re interested in pursuing LBCC’s phlebotomy program, use the links at the left to continue the orientation.