What does a Phlebotomist do?

According to people in this career, the main tasks are...

TaskImportance
Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
100%
Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
97%
Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
96%
Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
96%
Perform saline flushes or dispense anticoagulant drugs, such as Heparin, through intravenous (IV) lines, in accordance with licensing restrictions and under the direction of a medical doctor.
95%
Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
94%
Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
94%
Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
93%
Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical professionals.
93%
Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis.
90%
Administer subcutaneous or intramuscular injects, in accordance with licensing restrictions.
90%
Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
88%
Document route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and diagnosis.
88%
Draw blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel or finger stick methods.
87%
Monitor blood or plasma donors during and after procedures to ensure health, safety, and comfort.
87%
Draw blood from arteries, using arterial collection techniques.
87%
Conduct hemoglobin tests to ensure donor iron levels are normal.
86%
Transport specimens or fluid samples from collection sites to laboratories.
86%
Collect fluid or tissue samples, using appropriate collection procedures.
83%
Determine donor suitability, according to interview results, vital signs, and medical history.
83%
Calibrate or maintain machines, such as those used for plasma collection.
83%
Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
82%
Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.
81%
Serve refreshments to donors to ensure absorption of sugar into their systems.
74%