Profession phlebotomist
Phlebotomists take blood samples from patients for laboratory analysis, ensuring patient safety during the blood collection process. They transport the specimen to the laboratory, following strict instructions from the doctor of medicine.
Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.
Personality Type
- Conventional / Realistic
Knowledge
- Sterilization techniques
The methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.
- Human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
- Techniques of blood-sampling
The appropriate techniques for the collection of blood samples for laboratory work purposes, depending on the group of people targeted such as children or elderly.
- Hygiene in a health care setting
The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.
- Medical informatics
The processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.
- Blood donation
The procedures related to collecting blood samples from volunteers, the screening testing against disease and the follow-up.
- Human physiology
The science of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functions of humans, their organs and cells in good health.
- Infection control
The routes of transmission and methods of preventing spread of common and important infecting organisms together with the methods available for sterilisation and disinfection of pathogenic organisms in the prevention of infection.
Skills
- Label medical laboratory samples
Correctly label samples of the medical laboratory with the accurate information, according to the implemented quality system in place.
- Empathise with the healthcare user
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
- Collect biological samples from patients
Follow recommended processes to collect bodily fluids or samples from patients for further laboratory testing, assisting the patient as required.
- Maintain professional records
Produce and maintain records of work performed.
- Ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
- Manage infection control in the facility
Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.
- Label blood samples
Label blood samples taken from patients in compliance with regulations and the identity of the patient.
- Transport blood samples
Ensure that the blood samples collected are transported safely and correctly, following strict procedures to avoid contamination
- Comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
- Work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
- Monitor patient's vital signs
Monitor and analyse vital signs of heart, respiration, and blood pressure.
- Use venepuncture procedure equipment
Make use of the instruments and tools such as tourniquet, alcohol wipes, gauze sponges, sterilized needles and syringes, adhesive bandages, gloves and evacuated collection tubes, used in the procedure for collecting blood from patients.
- Perform venepuncture procedures
Perform venipuncture procedures by selecting a suitable site to puncture the patients` veins, preparing the puncture site, explaining the procedure to the patient, extracting the blood and collecting it in an appropriate container.
- Interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
- Respond to healthcare users' extreme emotions
React accordingly when a healthcare user becomes hyper-manic, panicky, extremely distressed, agressive, violent, or suicidal, following appropriate training if working in contexts where patients go through extreme emotions regularly.
- Communicate effectively in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
Optional knowledge and skills
blood type classification blood transfusion handle patients with special needs blood collection on babies paediatric phlebotomy procedures medical terminology employ foreign languages in care blood product storage conditionsCommon job titles
- Mobile phlebotomist
- Phlebotomist part time
- Specimen collector
- Phlebotomist - prn
- Phlebotomist
- Mobile wellness screener/phlebotomist-prn (as needed)
- Donor services technician
- Phlebotomist - laboratory (full time)
- Health center assistant - plano
- Phlebotomist - laboratory, tysons corner medical center