How to hire a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist

How to hire a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step laboratory assistant/phlebotomist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new laboratory assistant/phlebotomist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the laboratory assistant/phlebotomist you need to hire. Certain laboratory assistant/phlebotomist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, laboratory assistant/phlebotomists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents laboratory assistant/phlebotomist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist	Description	Hourly rate
   Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist	Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.	$12-20
   Clinical Technician	A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations... Show more	$12-23
   Certified Pharmacist Technician	A certified pharmacist technician is responsible for assisting patients by providing medicines based on their needs or their physicians' prescriptions. Certified pharmacist technicians must be able to supply the correct medications, including the right dosage to patients... Show more	$12-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Blood Specimens
   • Customer Service
   • Phlebotomy Procedures
   • Specimen Collection
   • Patient Care
   • Blood Samples
   • Lab Specimens
   • Urine Analysis
   • Phlebotomy Training
   • Data Entry
   • Test Results
   • Laboratory Procedures
   • Skin Punctures

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Order doctor prescribe lab tests, perform EKG's, answer phone calls, and order inventory.
   • Respond to stat collection assignments within fifteen minutes and in accordance with protocol.
   • Work effectively in a fast pace setting and prioritize duties for routine and stat testing.
   • Receive and acquire patient's body fluids, prepare and process EKG's on adult and children.
   • Collect specimens and set-up blood cultures and other microbiology cultures.
   • Deliver critical patient results as needed and maintain positive relationships with participating physicians and their patients.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your laboratory assistant/phlebotomist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' average salary in south carolina is 35% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level laboratory assistant/phlebotomists 37% less than senior-level laboratory assistant/phlebotomists.
   • Certifications. A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist's salary.

   Average laboratory assistant/phlebotomist salary

   $16.61hourly

   $34,553 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level laboratory assistant/phlebotomist salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist job description

   A job description for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist job description:

   Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist job description example

   Indiana University Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive health system, with 16 hospitals and more than 34,000 team members serving Hoosiers across the state. We’re looking for team members who are inspired by challenging and meaningful work for the good of every patient. People who are compassionate and serve with a purpose. People who aspire to excellence every day.
   
   The laboratories of IU Health offer some of the most comprehensive laboratory services in Indiana! Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the laboratories perform more than 19 million tests a year. In addition to IU Health, laboratory testing services are provided to hospitals and physicians across the country.
   
   The Lab Assistant I at LAB provide general laboratory services including specimen collection, order entry, blood component preparation, pre-analytic processing of specimens as well as related clerical tasks. The incumbent may be responsible for patient and specimen registration and delivery of specimens.
   + Requires HS grad or GED Equivalent.
   + Completion of a phlebotomy training program with experience in laboratory or coursework in biological, chemical or related science preferred.
   + May require a valid Indiana Operators license and a good driving history for the last three years.
   + May require an understanding of the traffic laws in the State of Indiana.
   + Requires proven understanding of computers.
   + Requires telephone skills.
   + Requires strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team member.
   + Requires ability to perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods of time.
   + May serve on appropriate committees or projects that contribute to the overall purpose and essential functions of the department. Position overview and requirements to be added by Consultants.
   We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at IU Health. IU Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
   REQNUMBER: 337176

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find laboratory assistant/phlebotomists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your laboratory assistant/phlebotomist job on Zippia to find and attract quality laboratory assistant/phlebotomist candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting laboratory assistant/phlebotomists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new laboratory assistant/phlebotomist

   Once you've decided on a perfect laboratory assistant/phlebotomist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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