Many people interact with a phlebotomist at several points in their lives, yet questions about what a phlebotomist is and what services a phlebotomist provides linger.
Complicating matters is the fact that a phlebotomist does a lot. This makes a brief description inadequate for all but the most basic inquiries.
That’s why we’ve assembled the following multiple answers to the question of what is a phlebotomist. Let’s get busy answering it!
Answer #1
A phlebotomist is a medical professional that draws someone’s blood. The drawn blood is used for:
- Tests that may reveal, among other things, how well a person’s organs function as well as diseases and conditions such as anemia, cancer, coronary heart disease, and diabetes
- Transfusions that help surgeons replace blood lost due to injury or other incidents
- Medical research
Answer #2
A phlebotomist handles the following critical duties and more:
- Drawing blood
- Interacting with the people from whom they’re drawing blood to decrease any anxiety present
- Handling administrative/procedural responsibilities, such as confirming the patient’s identity and blood draw needs, labeling the blood, entering crucial information into a database
- Maintaining a phlebotomy blood draw kit and sanitizing their work area
Answer #3
Phlebotomists require training and experience to draw blood from a wide variety of people, including those of varying ages, weights, health, and obesity status.
Answer #4
The phlebotomist’s procedure for drawing blood requires many steps, each of which is as important as the others. The phlebotomist must:
- Greet and identify the patient
- Wash her hands and put on gloves
- Apply a tourniquet to the patient’s arm
- Disinfect the puncture site
- Insert a needle and draw the blood
- Dispose of the potentially hazardous needle in accordance with the law and established medical practice
… and more, all while ensuring the patient is calm. The phlebotomist’s job requires the careful application of skill and precision patient after patient, day after day. It can be a demanding job, but it can also be a rewarding job on many fronts.
Answer #5
A phlebotomist is well-compensated in a competitive field, earning on average about $35,000 per year (excluding benefits). The top wage-earners make nearly $50,000 per year.
Plus, there are many ways you can increase your pay in the field.
Answer #6
A phlebotomist is not a flobotomist. It’s a common enough spelling mistake and likely the reason why the following online searches don’t produce good results.
- What is a flobotomist?
- How much does a flobotomist make?
- Which school offers online flobotomy classes?
Why is it spelled “phlebotomist” with a “PH” instead of an “F”? Because it’s derived from the Greek words phleba-, which means “vein,” and -tomy, which means “to make an incision of.”
One More Answer
There’s one more answer to the question, “What is a phlebotomist?”
A phlebotomist is you. It’s your way to enter the medical profession without sacrificing years and, potentially, hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s a way to expand your job prospects, earn a reliable income, improve peoples’ lives and health, and so much more.
It’s easy to get started: click here!
Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.