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How to hire a medical assistant/phlebotomist

Medical assistant/phlebotomist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring medical assistant/phlebotomists in the United States:

  • There are a total of 760,200 medical assistant/phlebotomists in the US, and there are currently 189,206 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a medical assistant/phlebotomist is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per medical assistant/phlebotomist on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Bemidji, MN, has the highest demand for medical assistant/phlebotomists, with 19 job openings.

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

To hire a medical assistant/phlebotomist, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a medical assistant/phlebotomist:

Here's a step-by-step medical 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 medical assistant/phlebotomist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new medical assistant/phlebotomist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a medical assistant/phlebotomist do?

Medical assistants/phlebotomists are medical personnel who execute administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare facilities or units. They are responsible for providing healthcare to patients such as immunization administration, orthopedic supplies, and wound care. It is part of their job to take the blood of patients for blood testing. They also take charge of handling other medical tests for the upkeep of patients' health. These professionals should exhibit compatibility, initiative, and cohesiveness within the team.

Learn more about the specifics of what a medical assistant/phlebotomist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The medical assistant/phlebotomist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A medical assistant/phlebotomist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, medical 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.

    The following list breaks down different types of medical assistant/phlebotomists and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Medical Assistant/PhlebotomistDescriptionHourly rate
    Medical Assistant/PhlebotomistMedical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.$12-19
    Medical ScribeAs 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... Show more$11-18
    PhlebotomistPhlebotomists are workers in the medical field who specialize in drawing blood from patients. They ensure that patients are prepared by explaining the procedure to them, showing them tools they will use and where their blood will be stored, and answering any questions the patients may have... Show more$12-20
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Patients
    • Vital Signs
    • Customer Service
    • Blood Pressure
    • Office Procedures
    • Venipuncture
    • Strong Customer Service
    • Phlebotomy Procedures
    • Perform EKG
    • Medical History
    • Lab Specimens
    • Urine Analysis
    • Patient Care
    • Cleanliness
    Check all skills
    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.
    • Validate and ensure that forms for the releases of information are current, accurate and complete as defined by HIPAA.
    • Sanitize equipment and follow OSHA guidelines.
    More medical assistant/phlebotomist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your medical assistant/phlebotomist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A medical assistant/phlebotomist salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, medical assistant/phlebotomists' average salary in alabama is 46% less than in massachusetts.
    • Seniority. Entry-level medical assistant/phlebotomists earn 34% less than senior-level medical assistant/phlebotomists.
    • Certifications. A medical assistant/phlebotomist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a medical assistant/phlebotomist's salary.

    Average medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

    $16.19hourly

    $33,674 yearly

    Entry-level medical assistant/phlebotomist salary
    $27,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 20, 2026

    Average medical assistant/phlebotomist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$44,298$21
    2Washington$41,932$20
    3Oregon$41,780$20
    4California$39,411$19
    5Wisconsin$35,824$17
    6New Jersey$35,050$17
    7Minnesota$34,000$16
    8Ohio$33,814$16
    9North Dakota$33,148$16
    10Indiana$32,944$16
    11Iowa$32,877$16
    12Colorado$32,785$16
    13Utah$31,860$15
    14Nevada$31,769$15
    15Wyoming$31,500$15
    16Nebraska$31,489$15
    17Montana$31,040$15
    18South Dakota$30,779$15
    19Missouri$30,137$14
    20Texas$29,683$14

    Average medical assistant/phlebotomist salary by company

  4. Writing a medical assistant/phlebotomist job description

    A medical assistant/phlebotomist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a medical assistant/phlebotomist job description:

    Medical assistant/phlebotomist job description example

    • Minimum High School Diploma or GED
    • 1+ years of relevant experience is required
    • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
    • CPR certification is required
    • CPT and/or CMA certification is required
    • Working knowledge of NH and VT state regulations

    This position is part of a mobile unit that requires travel in NH and VT.

    Better Life Partners facilitates the treatment of behavioral health conditions including addiction medicine. We offer a full slate of benefits including competitive compensation, medical, dental and vision coverages, four weeks of paid vacation, sick time, wellness days, thirteen paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with company match, parental leave program, learning & development stipend, employee referral bonus, company-issued technology, remote work stipend, paid volunteer time off, stock options for eligible employees, and more!

    At Better Life Partners, we believe our work directly correlates to the diverse perspectives of our employees. Better Life Partners celebrates inclusion and is a committed Equal Opportunity Employer to all qualified applicants, ensuring individuals will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital or parental status, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification. Persons of color, women, LGBTQ candidates, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Better Life Partners is a recovery-friendly workplace.

    COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

    Better Life Partners has instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all employees, including remote staff, to remain in full compliance with regulatory bodies. Individuals selected for employment must be able to show proof of vaccination status prior to start date.

    If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or religious beliefs, Better Life Partners will consider requests for reasonable accommodation consistent with its policy and if able to do so without undue hardship to the company pursuant to applicable law. Such accommodations must be approved prior to start date.

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  5. Post your job

    To find medical assistant/phlebotomists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any medical assistant/phlebotomists they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level medical assistant/phlebotomists with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your medical assistant/phlebotomist job on Zippia to find and recruit medical assistant/phlebotomist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit medical assistant/phlebotomists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 medical assistant/phlebotomist

    Once you have selected a candidate for the medical assistant/phlebotomist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new medical assistant/phlebotomist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a medical assistant/phlebotomist?

Hiring a medical assistant/phlebotomist comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting medical assistant/phlebotomists involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of medical assistant/phlebotomist recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $33,674 per year for a medical assistant/phlebotomist, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for medical assistant/phlebotomists in the US typically range between $12 and $19 an hour.

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