What does a laboratory phlebotomist do?
A laboratory phlebotomist is primarily in charge of drawing and processing blood samples from patients and clients for laboratory analysis. They must also perform clerical tasks such as maintaining records of all procedures and results, producing laboratory reports, responding to inquiries, answering calls and correspondence, and liaising with external parties such as vendors and suppliers. Furthermore, as a laboratory phlebotomist, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with laboratory and hospital staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Laboratory phlebotomist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laboratory phlebotomist resumes:
- Follow written guidelines for identifying patients and labeling specimens, using computer to efficiently organize specimen collection by priority.
- Record and perform EKG's.
- Help set up centrifuges for blood testing.
- Repair and recalibrate centrifuges for correct speed and weight.
- Provide venipuncture and or EKG services for inpatient and emergency room as requested by physicians.
- Process specimens in the emergency room stat laboratory.
- Perform chemistry and hematology blood testing in laboratory facilities.
- Perform laboratory testing including urinalysis, chemistry testing and hematology.
- Gain cross-trained skills as a lab assistant in microbiology, cytology, radiology, and histology/pathology.
- Present a professional and empathetic demeanor when engaging with patients and co-workers through apply verbal and written communication.
- Perform phlebotomy techniques, sterilize equipment, efficiently handle medical lab instrument, and mark test reports after experimentation & results.
- Serve and adhere to hospital policies, procedures, and HIPPA standards.
- Correct use of vacuum devices, syringes, capillary skin puncture devices, butterfly needles, and blood culture collection.
- Maintain patient privacy and confidential patient information according to HIPPA standards.
- Perform PKU testing on infants in outpatient.
Laboratory phlebotomist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Laboratory Phlebotomists are proficient in Patients, Customer Service, and Specimen Collection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Compassion, Dexterity, and Hand-eye coordination.
We break down the percentage of Laboratory Phlebotomists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 19%
Followed written guidelines for identifying patients and labeling specimens, using computer to efficiently organize specimen collection by priority.
- Customer Service, 6%
Practiced proper customer service skills, followed proper patient identification protocols and established blood collection protocols.
- Specimen Collection, 6%
Acted as a clerk for the laboratory and effectively performed specimen collections procedures.
- Blood Specimens, 5%
Prepared blood specimens for laboratory analysis and processed patient paperwork.
- Patient Care, 5%
Developed and maintained high quality system of prioritization to ensure optimal patient care.
- Phlebotomy Procedures, 4%
Coordinate daily operations at a busy Patient Service Center Oversee patient flow and phlebotomy procedures geriatric, pediatric and adult.
"patients," "customer service," and "specimen collection" are among the most common skills that laboratory phlebotomists use at work. You can find even more laboratory phlebotomist responsibilities below, including:
Compassion. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a laboratory phlebotomist to have is compassion. Their role and responsibilities require that "some patients become anxious about having blood drawn, so phlebotomists should be considerate in performing their duties." Laboratory phlebotomists often use compassion in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "focus on delivering exceptional and compassionate patient care. "
Dexterity. Another essential skill to perform laboratory phlebotomist duties is dexterity. Laboratory phlebotomists responsibilities require that "phlebotomists must be able to use their equipment efficiently to minimize patients’ discomfort." Laboratory phlebotomists also use dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "perform drug screens perform send out test to other lab facilities ability to lift and move up to 25 lbs. "
Physical stamina. A big part of what laboratory phlebotomists do relies on "physical stamina." You can see how essential it is to laboratory phlebotomist responsibilities because "phlebotomists stand for long periods and are often on the move throughout the workday." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical laboratory phlebotomist tasks: "obtained urine drug screens for work physicals, and prepared the specimens for send offs to outside laboratories. "
Detail oriented. A commonly-found skill in laboratory phlebotomist job descriptions, "detail oriented" is essential to what laboratory phlebotomists do. Laboratory phlebotomist responsibilities rely on this skill because "phlebotomists must draw the correct amount of blood for the tests ordered, carefully label the vials collected, and enter information into a database to avoid misplacing samples or injuring patients." You can also see how laboratory phlebotomist duties rely on detail oriented in this resume example: "detailed data entry of all patients required test, personal medical records & demographics for billing purposes. "
The three companies that hire the most laboratory phlebotomists are:
- Community Health Systems34 laboratory phlebotomists jobs
- Ascension Michigan34 laboratory phlebotomists jobs
- Baptist Health Home Care31 laboratory phlebotomists jobs
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Compare different laboratory phlebotomists
Laboratory phlebotomist vs. Registered medical assistant
The primary job of registered medical assistants is to perform clinical and administrative tasks in a healthcare setting. They offer support services to physicians, so the latter have plenty of time to care for patients. They carry out varied administrative, clerical, and clinical tasks that include taking vital signs, filing records, and scheduling patient appointments. Other responsibilities include discussing treatment procedures to patients, interacting with patients, and collecting laboratory specimens such as tissue and blood. Ideal characteristics to become a registered medical assistant include being compassionate, can work well with people, and adaptable.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a laboratory phlebotomist are more likely to require skills like "specimen collection," "blood specimens," "patient care," and "phlebotomy procedures." On the other hand, a job as a registered medical assistant requires skills like "office procedures," "exam rooms," "phlebotomy," and "rma." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Registered medical assistants really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $34,762. Comparatively, laboratory phlebotomists tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $33,105.registered medical assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than laboratory phlebotomists. In fact, registered medical assistants are 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory phlebotomist vs. Medical scribe
As a medical scribe, their main responsibility is to follow a physician's daily work and do charting of patient encounters in real-time by accessing their medical electronic health record (EHR). It is their duty to make sure the patient schedules are followed, generate referral letters for physicians and manage and sort medical documents within the EHR. Medical scribes can be held as data custodians, medical assistants, and nurses to focus on patient in-take and care throughout clinic hours. In addition, they manage patient flow through the clinic and increase productivity to cater to more patients.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real laboratory phlebotomist resumes. While laboratory phlebotomist responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "specimen collection," "blood specimens," and "phlebotomy procedures," medical scribes use skills like "excellent organizational," "physician assistants," "strong work ethic," and "emergency medicine."
On average, medical scribes earn a lower salary than laboratory phlebotomists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, medical scribes earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $29,968. Whereas laboratory phlebotomists have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $33,105.medical scribes earn similar levels of education than laboratory phlebotomists in general. They're 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory phlebotomist vs. Medical internship
When it comes to a medical internship, one of the primary duties is to attend to the patients' needs while under a more experienced physician's supervision. During this period, the medical interns must rotate in various fields of specialties or departments for exposure. Aside from learning and observing, there are also instances when medical interns are required to produce necessary reports and documentation, communicate with patients and families, and take part in more challenging cases.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a laboratory phlebotomist is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "specimen collection," "blood specimens," and "phlebotomy procedures," while a typical medical internship is skilled in "surgical procedures," "surgery," "internal medicine," and "powerpoint."
Most medical interns achieve a similar degree level compared to laboratory phlebotomists. For example, they're 4.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 5.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory phlebotomist vs. Collections technician
Generally, collections technicians take responsibility for collecting and managing outstanding accounts receivables from customers and clients. The technicians may work as health his/her torians for blood donations. They train other collection technicians on the procedures and protocols of the company. Part of their job is to demonstrate excellent customer service skills associated with external and internal customers. They take part in team-building or programs in different work environments and also data entry.
Types of laboratory phlebotomist
Updated January 8, 2025
