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What is a medical assistant/phlebotomist and how to become one
A medical assistant/phlebotomist assists medical professionals in various tasks such as patient care, administrative duties, and laboratory procedures. They may collect blood samples, prepare specimens, and perform routine tests. Additionally, they may take vital signs, record medical histories, and schedule appointments. Medical assistants/phlebotomists work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. They play a crucial role in ensuring efficient healthcare delivery and patient satisfaction.
What general advice would you give to a medical assistant/phlebotomist?
Jason Mott Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Pre-licensure Program Director/Assistant Dean, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Avg. Salary $33,674
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 16%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.79%
Asian 8.60%
Black or African American 10.88%
Hispanic or Latino 23.71%
Unknown 4.55%
White 51.46%
Genderfemale 88.59%
male 11.41%
Age - 35American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 35Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a medical assistant/phlebotomist?
Pros
Job security
Good salary and benefits
Opportunities for advancement
Flexible work hours
Chance to work in a team-oriented environment
Cons
Physically demanding job
Long working hours, including weekends and holidays
Limited autonomy in decision-making processes
High risk of burnout due to demanding workload and emotional strain
Heavy reliance on technology and electronic health records leading to increased administrative burden
Medical assistant/phlebotomist career paths
Key steps to become a medical assistant/phlebotomist
Explore medical assistant/phlebotomist education requirements
Start to develop specific medical assistant/phlebotomist skills
Skills Percentages Patients 16.51% Vital Signs 6.50% Customer Service 5.80% Blood Pressure 5.61% Office Procedures 4.34% Complete relevant medical assistant/phlebotomist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New medical assistant/phlebotomists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a medical assistant/phlebotomist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real medical assistant/phlebotomist resumes.Gain additional medical assistant/phlebotomist certifications
More About CertificationsMedical assistant/phlebotomist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific medical assistant/phlebotomist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for medical assistant/phlebotomists include Medical Assistant and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT).
Research medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities
- Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
- Provide back-office support, inventory control, training and supervision to ensure compliance with HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
- Used CPR training on several occasions.
- Assist physician in the operating room during surgery and delivery.
Prepare your medical assistant/phlebotomist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your medical assistant/phlebotomist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a medical assistant/phlebotomist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable medical assistant/phlebotomist resume templates
Build a professional medical assistant/phlebotomist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your medical assistant/phlebotomist resume.
Apply for medical assistant/phlebotomist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a medical assistant/phlebotomist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first medical assistant/phlebotomist job
Are you a medical assistant/phlebotomist?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average medical assistant/phlebotomist salary
The average medical assistant/phlebotomist salary in the United States is $33,674 per year or $16 per hour. Medical assistant/phlebotomist salaries range between $27,000 and $41,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do medical assistant/phlebotomists rate their job?
Medical assistant/phlebotomist reviews
Very fulfilling and rewarding
Interaction with patient. Caring for patients. Educating, Scheduling procedures.
Being overwhelmed with too many time sensitive referrals. Appeals
The interaction, conversations and making the patients feel safe as I make it my main priority to do my job.
When I miss the vein
Updated January 8, 2025
