Phlebotomists
Healthcare Support
Blood is drawn from veins with vacuum tubes, syringes, or butterfly needles, and each tube is matched to the laboratory requisition. Timed collections cover drug-level and similar tests, and other standard work can include blood cultures, glucose screens, blood alcohol, smears, or peak and trough levels. Drawing trays stay stocked with sterile, single-use needles and syringes; sharps, blood, and other biohazard material are disposed of by policy, and samples are processed for other medical staff to analyze. Patients may hear an explanation of the draw and get help if they react poorly. Suits people who like brief, hands-on patient contact and exact timing, matching, and disposal steps.
Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate (vocational/technical)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$45'230
Median Wage Market Position
$45'230
What you might do
- Draw blood from veins using sterile needles
- Label tubes to match the lab request forms
- Prepare trays with unused sterile needles and syringes
- Collect blood for cultures, glucose, and alcohol tests
- Process samples for other staff to analyze
- Discard used needles and other biohazard waste
Skills that matter
- Drawing blood with sterile technique
- Explaining the draw to patients
- Matching tubes to requisition forms
- Disposing of sharps and biohazard waste
- Timing collections for drug-level tests
- Helping patients after adverse reactions
AI & the future of this role
Drawing blood depends on steady technique, vein judgment, and calming anxious patients in person. Digital tools might streamline labeling or documentation, yet the procedure itself and patient trust still tend to anchor the role.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details