Phlebotomy Technician
Nature of Work
The primary function of phlebotomy technicians is to obtain patient blood specimens by venipuncture or micro-techniques. They aid in the collection and transportation of other laboratory specimens and may be involved with patient data entry. Phlebotomy technicians also draw blood for transfusions, donations, and research. They must like challenge and responsibility. Phlebotomy technicians must be accurate, work well under pressure, and communicate effectively. They must be able to deal with patients and be able to calm patients. Safety is essential, and all safety precautions must be taken to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.
Duties differ by doctor's office, hospital, or laboratory, but may include:
- Drawing blood from patients or donors for medical purposes.
- Assembling equipment such as needles, blood collection devices, gauze, tourniquets, cotton, and alcohol.
- Verifying or recording identity of patients or donors.
- Conversing with patients to allay fears about the procedures.
- Applying tourniquets to arms, locating veins, swabbing areas with disinfectant, and inserting needles into veins to draw blood into collection tubes.
- Labeling and storing blood containers for processing.
- Conducting interviews, taking vital signs, and testing blood samples to screen donors at a blood bank.
- Analyzing information and making appropriate recommendations.
Career Outlook
Phlebotomists held about 101,300 jobs in 2012. They worked mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctor's offices. The industries that employed the most phlebotomists in 2012 were as follows:
- General medical and surgical hospitals (40 percent)
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories (26 percent)
- Other ambulatory health care services (18 percent)
- Offices of Physicians (9 percent)
Employment opportunities are projected to grow by approximately 27 percent from 2012 through 2022.
Credentials You Can Earn
Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of the all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses:
Admissions Fees
- Nonrefundable application fee ($25)
- Program Placement Examination ($75)
Outside Vendor Fees Prior to Beginning PHTL Courses
- Hepatitis B Immunization ($200)
- Tuberculosis Skin Test ($25)
- Flu Vaccine ($25)
- Physical Examination (Approximately $300)
- Scrubs (Approximately $30 per set; color is determined by the clinical site)
Semester Fees
- Tuition ($89 per credit hour)
- Accident Insurance Fee ($4 per term)
- Campus Supply Fee ($40 per term)
- Instruction Fee ($55 per term)
- Parking Fee ($20 per term)
- Campus Safety Fee ($25 per term)
- Registration Fee ($50 per term)
- Student Activity Fee ($30 per term)
- Technology Fee ($105 per term)
Throughout the Program
- Background Checks and Drug Screenings (Approximately $100 per required check/screening)
- Malpractice Insurance ($11 per year)
- Textbooks (Approximately $700)
- Supply Fee (Varies — See course descriptions for exact amount)
Outside Vendor Fees at Program Completion
- National Center for Competency Testing Examination ($100)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
