Certified phlebotomist vs patient sitter

The differences between certified phlebotomists and patient sitters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a certified phlebotomist, becoming a patient sitter takes usually requires 1-3 months. Additionally, a certified phlebotomist has an average salary of $34,509, which is higher than the $29,649 average annual salary of a patient sitter.

The top three skills for a certified phlebotomist include patients, blood specimens and phlebotomy procedures. The most important skills for a patient sitter are patients, BLS, and CPR.

Certified phlebotomist vs patient sitter overview

	Certified Phlebotomist	Patient Sitter
Yearly salary	$34,509	$29,649
Hourly rate	$16.59	$14.25
Growth rate	10%	9%
Number of jobs	44,574	188,756
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 23%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	41	42
Years of experience	2	3

What does a certified phlebotomist do?

A certified phlebotomist is a medical professional who specializes in drawing blood through venipuncture or finger and heel pricks, preparing the samples for laboratory procedures. Besides collecting blood, a phlebotomist is also responsible for gathering patient information, verifying identification, reviewing medical histories, labeling vials, and maintaining records, including diagnostic findings. They are also in charge of keeping laboratory equipment clean, discarding trash appropriately, and organizing supplies according to policies, ordering new supplies when necessary. Above all, a certified phlebotomist maintains an open and transparent communication line with nurses and physicians for an efficient workflow.

What does a patient sitter do?

The primary job of a patient sitter is to provide patients with care and companionship. You will be responsible for a few duties that always include supervising patients, assisting them with basic personal hygiene and care, and monitoring their vital signs. As a patient sitter, you are expected to refrain from doing unauthorized or additional functions, identifying changes in patient's conditions, and maintaining patient information confidentiality. You are also expected to comply with relevant standards, procedures, and policies.

Certified phlebotomist vs patient sitter salary

Certified phlebotomists and patient sitters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Certified Phlebotomist	Patient Sitter
Average salary	$34,509	$29,649
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $21,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Carondelet High School
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between certified phlebotomist and patient sitter education

There are a few differences between a certified phlebotomist and a patient sitter in terms of educational background:

	Certified Phlebotomist	Patient Sitter
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 23%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Medical Assisting Services	Nursing
Most common college	-	-

Certified phlebotomist vs patient sitter demographics

Here are the differences between certified phlebotomists' and patient sitters' demographics:

	Certified Phlebotomist	Patient Sitter
Average age	41	42
Gender ratio	Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%	Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 9.8% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	8%	7%

Differences between certified phlebotomist and patient sitter duties and responsibilities

Certified phlebotomist example responsibilities.

Manage work lists and stats.
Review and process requisitions and orders for laboratory procedures; enter patients data into computer system.
Perform EKG's in the outpatient lab.
Calibrate, clean and maintain machines, such as centrifuges and slide stains.
Respond to trauma calls, stat calls, emergency room calls, labor, delivery, and neo-natal units.
Load specimens in centrifuges and process them and get them ready for the courier to pick up to take to hospital.

Patient sitter example responsibilities.

Conduct and facilitate PCA lead group activities as scheduled
Apply restraints to violent and combative patients.
Maintain OSHA and HIPAA compliance with regulatory standards.
Train in techniques for physical restraints (CPI).
Provide therapeutic companionship and close observation of patients in a safe and clean environment
Transport patient to MRI department.

Certified phlebotomist vs patient sitter skills

Common certified phlebotomist skills

Patients, 24%
Blood Specimens, 10%
Phlebotomy Procedures, 6%
Patient Care, 6%
Specimen Collection, 5%
Laboratory Specimens, 4%

Common patient sitter skills

Patients, 41%
BLS, 12%
CPR, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Patient Observation, 5%
Continuous Observation, 4%

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Certified Phlebotomist
Certified Phlebotomist vs Patient Sitter

Updated January 8, 2025

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