Your Phlebotomist Career Awaits

What is a Phlebotomist?

Phlebotomy is part of today's ultra-modern health care system. Phlebotomists have specialized skills in the area of collecting samples of blood and other laboratory samples from children and adults.

What is Phlebotomy?

The term phlebotomy refers to the ancient practice of bloodletting, which involved the withdrawal of larger amounts of blood in an attempt to cure illness and diseases. In modern medicine this practice has been largely abandoned but the term phlebotomy is still widely used for the withdrawal of blood from a vein, artery, or the capillary bed into blood specimen collection tubes for laboratory analysis or blood transfusion. Therefore, blood specimen collection, and sometimes urine sample collection is performed by the phlebotomist. After the specimen has been collected the phlebotomist labels the collection tubes and gets them ready for transport to the lab. The samples will be analyzed to help diagnose illness or deficiencies.

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Where Do Phlebotomists Work?

What will it take to enter the phlebotomist profession and land a first phlebotomist job? Phlebotomists usually work under a physician, a medical laboratory scientist, or a lead phlebotomy technician in the clinical lab area of a medical office, hospital, clinic, or blood donation center. Some work independently and travel to certain locations to collect blood samples; for example, they may travel from house to house to collect specimens from homebound persons.

Why I Became a Phlebotomist:

The first step when deciding on a fitting career is to take time to assess what you like and do well. It is also important to research the educational, training, and job opportunities available in your community first, before you dive right in. Carmen Minchin told us: "It wasn't possible for me to just go to school for Nursing because I had to work... So, I decided to do Phlebotomy to get in the medical field as quickly as possible. I have been working as a certified phlebotomist for seven months now and I feel as though I have gained an edge."

Below is what other fellow phlebotomists have told us...

• Jorge Molina: Love working with people! Health care is stable especially in this economy.
• Christine: It feels like a real job in that you get to help somebody get better.
• Lisa: I love the scientific end of phlebotomy. If you stay open minded, you can learn much.
• Geoff: To further my education and to help those that get nervous around the stick.
• Carmen Mincione: I decided to do phlebotomy to get in the medical field ASAP.
• Ashley: To always have a feeling that at the end of the day I've helped someone.
• Rebecca: To further my education and set the example for my children.
• Kyle: For the money and working in a hospital.
• Candice: To have children do the blow the pain away technique.
• Naly Jasengnou: I like to work with people and love to communicate with others.
• Lisa Marshall: Because I love phlebotomy.
• Mary Stednick: This is a stepping stone for me. I eventually will go into forensics.
• Beth Bishop: I simply LOVE to draw blood and the patient interaction.
• Mary: To provide reassurance to the patient that worries over the needle stick.
• Tomdrika Perry: Because I just want to work in the medical field.
• Wendy: To be a part of the something that has to do with helping people.
• Nathaniel C. Goins: To get one step closer to my nursing degree.
• José Gonzalez: It's my stepping stone into the medical field.
• Stephen T.:  I like the idea of knowing I am helping people to get better.
• Pj: Partake in the growing medical community.
• Debi: To work as a paramedical examiner.
• Charlotte Mowrer: Working with the public to help people.
• Monica: I decided to be in the medical field since 3rd grade.
• Angie: It is a good foot in the door to becoming a phlebotomist (veterinary and people).
• Lou: I love working with people and the medical field has good benefits.
• Elizabeth Vasquez: I love helping people and I want to work at a hospital.
• David Manzano: I feel phlebotomy is a stepping stone to get into the medical field.
• Holly McDonald: I like to work in a career that puts me in a position to help people.
• Joseph Boachie, Jr.: I'm passionate and love to meet the medical needs of valuable humans.