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Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist vs laboratory specialist

The differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and laboratory specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist, becoming a laboratory specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory specialist has an average salary of $50,357, which is higher than the $34,553 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist.

The top three skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist include patients, blood specimens and customer service. The most important skills for a laboratory specialist are chemistry, patients, and test results.

Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist vs laboratory specialist overview

Laboratory Assistant/PhlebotomistLaboratory Specialist
Yearly salary$34,553$50,357
Hourly rate$16.61$24.21
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs74,42868,634
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 23%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4444
Years of experience122

What does a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist do?

A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.

What does a laboratory specialist do?

A laboratory specialist develops the areas assigned to them and promotes maximum resource allocation and utilization to achieve their goals. Laboratory specialists handle storage and backup devices, support telecommunication-associated equipment, and relay customer requests and issues. It is their job to process specimens in toxicology, coagulation, microbiology, hematology, chemistry, and urinalysis. Skills and knowledge in a photo lab, cell culture, customer service, and test cases are necessary for this position.

Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist vs laboratory specialist salary

Laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and laboratory specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Laboratory Assistant/PhlebotomistLaboratory Specialist
Average salary$34,553$50,357
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $43,000Between $36,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Nokia
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and laboratory specialist education

There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and a laboratory specialist in terms of educational background:

Laboratory Assistant/PhlebotomistLaboratory Specialist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 23%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of ConnecticutSUNY Stony Brook

Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist vs laboratory specialist demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' and laboratory specialists' demographics:

Laboratory Assistant/PhlebotomistLaboratory Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 17.1% Female, 82.9%Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and laboratory specialist duties and responsibilities

Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist example 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.
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Laboratory specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
  • Process specimens in the areas of chemistry, toxicology, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and microbiology.
  • Perform general routine clinical laboratory testing in the areas of clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis and blood bank.
  • Perform DNA and RNA isolation, standard and real time PCR, primer design, gene sequence analysis.
  • Perform clinical laboratory procedures in hematology, clinical chemistry and urinalysis.
  • Provide customer service to patients and clinicians while collecting specimens and providing patient education.
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Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist vs laboratory specialist skills

Common laboratory assistant/phlebotomist skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Blood Specimens, 13%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Phlebotomy Procedures, 5%
  • Specimen Collection, 4%
  • Patient Care, 3%
Common laboratory specialist skills
  • Chemistry, 10%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Test Results, 8%
  • Laboratory Tests, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Centrifuges, 5%

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