Phlebotomists perform the collection in blood testing.
Have you ever had a bad experience during a blood test with a technician or assistant who had trouble locating a vein or using a needle painlessly and efficiently? The study of phlebotomy focuses on reducing or eliminating those situations. These trained technicians are experts in finding a vein without undue discomfort or difficulty.
Job Description
Phlebotomists, or venipuncturists, are medical laboratory specialists whose professional focus is drawing blood in a variety of settings. They label and record blood samples for testing, then prepare them for laboratory analysis. In addition, phlebotomists conduct interviews and take vital signs. Phlebotomists must take a specialized training course on the blood and puncture techniques, as well as perform a prescribed number of clinical sticks. Most states require a phlebotomist to pass an exam and hold a state license.
Salary
Phlebotomists working full-time earned a median annual salary of $27,040, according to a survey sponsored by the American Society for Clinical Pathology and published in March 2009. Salary.com reported the median salary for a phlebotomist in January 2011 was $29,333, with the middle 50 percent of all phlebotomists receiving between $26,407 and $32,485 per year.
Hourly Wage
Phlebotomists working part-time or on an hourly basis earned a median wage of $13 per hour as of March 2009, according to the American Society for Clinical Pathology. PayScale, in a January 2011 report based on a survey of 5,331 phlebotomists, found that the middle 50 percent of phlebotomists earned between $10.73 and $14.74 per hour.
Experience
Phlebotomists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, blood banks, physicians' offices, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. According to both PayScale and the American Society for Clinical Pathology, there was no significant difference in phlebotomist pay among these different settings.
Job Setting
Phlebotomists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, blood banks, physician's offices, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. According to both PayScale and the American Society for Clinical Pathology, there was no significant difference in phlebotomist pay among these different settings.
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