Phlebotomists' Duties: What Exactly Does A Phlebotomist Do?

Phlebotomists are medical or laboratory professionals who are responsible for obtaining and handling blood for the purpose of testing or other medical reasons. Phlebotomists may work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, laboratories, or clinics, and there is an array of phlebotomists’ duties that require their specific expertise. The fact is that these professionals do far more than simply draw blood.

Primary Phlebotomists’ Duties

The first and most prominent of a phlebotomists’ duties is to collecting blood samples and samples of other fluids as ordered by and under the supervision of a physician. The phlebotomist must be able to read the physician’s orders so as to collect the correct amount of blood and label it correctly for testing and analysis.

Once the blood or fluid sample is collected and labeled, the phlebotomist must ensure that it gets to the proper laboratory or clinic for careful analysis. Depending on whether the phlebotomist is working in a hospital, clinic, or independent office, those samples may need to be packaged and shipped, sent via currier, or simply taken to a different floor in the building. Whatever the case, it is part of the phlebotomists’ duties to see to it that the samples get where they need to go.

Another very important part of a phlebotomists’ duties is to ensure that all of the instruments used in the collection of body fluids are kept clean and sanitary. Because of the many dangers of illnesses carried in bodily fluids, it is important to the phlebotomist’s health as well as that of any patient he or she sees that all instruments be carefully sanitized before they are used. The maintenance of needles, gauze, bandages, and all other supplies is the responsibility of the phlebotomist who uses them.

Secondary Phlebotomists’ Duties

Phlebotomists’ duties may vary according to the institution for which they work. For example, phlebotomists who work in a laboratory setting may also be responsible for testing or analyzing the fluids collected for diagnostic purposes. Training and experience required would be more extensive for this position than in one for phlebotomists who simply draw blood.

For some assisted living facilities, visiting nurse organizations, and hospices, it could be the phlebotomists’ duties to travel to the homes of the patients to collect blood and fluid samples. This also requires a specific skill set; these phlebotomists must be skilled in ensuring that sanitary conditions exist in any residential setting and in storing the fluids properly when it is being transported from place to place.

People Skills

People who must have their blood drawn may be sick or worried that they are sick; they may be afraid of having their blood drawn or even get sick or pass out in the presence of needles. This is why an important part of the phlebotomists’ duties is talking to people and making them feel at ease. This is the case with all kinds of people, from young children to senior citizens to everyone in between. A phlebotomist must be able to calm patients, talk to them, and make them as comfortable as possible.