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A phlebotomist specializes in drawing blood. They collect blood samples and prepare them for laboratory testing. They also keep patients comfortable and safe during the process. Phlebotomists require an understanding of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology to accurately locate veins for blood collection. They also need communication skills to interact with patients and healthcare providers. Phlebotomists play a role in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of medical conditions by providing reliable blood samples for analysis.
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA
Medical Assistant Program Director, Website
Avg. Salary $33,713
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 10%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.12%
Asian 9.27%
Black or African American 9.05%
Hispanic or Latino 20.71%
Unknown 4.11%
White 55.74%
Genderfemale 83.29%
male 16.71%
Age - 40American 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 - 40Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Pros
High demand for phlebotomists
Short training program to become certified
Opportunity for advancement within the healthcare industry
Good starting salary
Ability to work in a variety of settings (hospitals, clinics, labs, etc.)
Cons
Exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases
Possibility of encountering needle phobia in patients
Limited patient interaction beyond blood draw
Low pay compared to other healthcare professions
Potential for workplace injuries such as needle sticks or slips and falls
| Skills | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Patients | 21.16% |
| Customer Service | 9.13% |
| Blood Samples | 5.37% |
| Blood Specimens | 4.89% |
| Data Entry | 4.85% |
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 phlebotomist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for phlebotomists include Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) and Phlebotomist.
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your 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 phlebotomist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Now it's time to start searching for a phlebotomist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

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The average phlebotomist salary in the United States is $33,713 per year or $16 per hour. Phlebotomist salaries range between $26,000 and $42,000 per year.
What am I worth?
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
Providing patient care and a safe environment for people that needs my services.
Missed orders or anything that hinders patient care.
Being able to know that your helping people
Lazy people who don’t want to do their jobs and people who don’t care about the patients