Phlebotomist

Phlebotomist delivers direct services to people and completes 19 concrete tasks that make the role measurable. The samples here show who is served, common timings, and when to call for help. Each one shows where we found it, and comes with an AI prompt you can copy and use straight away.

19evidenced tasks
19ready prompts
7tools of the trade
31-9097.00O*NET-SOC code
143,540hold this job (US, BLS 2025)
$45,230median pay/yr (US)
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What it pays

Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.

Half of all Phlebotomists in the U.S. earn more than $45,230 a year — the middle 80% land between $35,780 and $58,780. About 143,540 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Phlebotomists”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$45,230typical pay / year
143,540people in this work
$58,780+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
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The work, task by task

These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.

Fixing3

Label blood and specimens accurately

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Label each collected blood tube immediately after draw with the patient full name, medical record number,…
Label each collected blood tube immediately after draw with the patient full name, medical record number, date and time, my initials, and test panels needed, then cross-check the label against the ID band before placing the tube in the transport tray.
The tools that do the workIatric Systems MobiLabESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Draw blood samples from patients

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Perform venipuncture for routine and stat draws: confirm patient identity and consent, select appropriate…
Perform venipuncture for routine and stat draws: confirm patient identity and consent, select appropriate tubes and needle, follow aseptic technique, label tubes at bedside, monitor the patient for adverse reactions, and note collection time and complications on the draw log.
The tools that do the workDonor management systemjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Transport samples to laboratories

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Deliver collected samples to the laboratory within transport windows: group specimens by stability, ensure…
Deliver collected samples to the laboratory within transport windows: group specimens by stability, ensure temperature-controlled carriers for cold-sensitive tests, complete the transport manifest with times and signatures, and notify the receiving technologist of any delayed or compromised items.
The tools that do the workLaboratory information system LISESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
Care1

Apply bandages after blood collection

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After each blood draw, clean the puncture site, apply a snug adhesive bandage and pressure dressing, explain…
After each blood draw, clean the puncture site, apply a snug adhesive bandage and pressure dressing, explain aftercare to the patient, note bandage type and time in the patient record, and confirm the patient can safely leave before documenting completion.
The tools that do the workElectronic medical record EMRESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
Convincing1

Explain procedures to patients

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Before drawing blood, explain the steps plainly to the patient: why the test is needed, what the needle and…
Before drawing blood, explain the steps plainly to the patient: why the test is needed, what the needle and sensation will be like, how long it takes, and who to tell if they feel faint, then ask if they have questions and note consent.
The tools that do the workDonor management systemjob descriptionsO*NET
Protecting1

Handle and dispose of sharps and biohazard materials safely

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After each procedure, place needles and contaminated gauze into the designated sharps and biohazard…
After each procedure, place needles and contaminated gauze into the designated sharps and biohazard containers, seal and label full containers with date and collector initials, report any exposures immediately and log the disposal in the incident record.
The tools that do the workLaboratory information system LISO*NETWikipedia
The daily work13

Transport blood samples

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Collect the sealed blood sample box from Ward B3, confirm patient names and labels match the requisition,…
Collect the sealed blood sample box from Ward B3, confirm patient names and labels match the requisition, keep samples upright in the transport cooler at room temperature, deliver to the chemistry bench by 10:30 and log handover with the lab tech.
The tools that do the workLaboratory information system LISESCOsee the evidence ↗

Maintain and calibrate blood collection equipment

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Verify centrifuge calibration and vacuum levels on the 12 phlebotomy chairs, replace any worn needles and…
Verify centrifuge calibration and vacuum levels on the 12 phlebotomy chairs, replace any worn needles and tubing, log calibration values and next service date in the maintenance file, and notify biomedical engineering before clinic opens Monday.
The tools that do the workLaboratory information system LISO*NETWikipedia

Sterilize equipment and maintain cleanliness

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Sterilise the blood collection trays, inspect and replace cracked tourniquets and used alcohol swabs, run the…
Sterilise the blood collection trays, inspect and replace cracked tourniquets and used alcohol swabs, run the instrument high-level disinfect cycle, record cleaning times and staff initials, and confirm the treatment room is ready for the afternoon donation session.
The tools that do the workElectronic medical record EMRjob descriptionsWikipedia

Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.

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Collect trough and peak specimens for the vancomycin dosing schedule at 0800 and 2000, verify patient…
Collect trough and peak specimens for the vancomycin dosing schedule at 0800 and 2000, verify patient identity at bedside, label each tube with time and collector initials, transport on ice to the lab within 30 minutes, and note collection times in the patient chart.
The tools that do the workIatric Systems MobiLabO*NET

Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.

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Enter patient demographics, specimen type, insurance details and billing codes from today's draws into the…
Enter patient demographics, specimen type, insurance details and billing codes from today's draws into the patient record, attach scanned consent and label images, run the insurance validation check, and save the encounter before handover at 1500.
The tools that do the workDonor management systemO*NET

Conduct hemoglobin tests to ensure donor iron levels are normal.

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Perform a point-of-care hemoglobin check on donor Maria Gonzales, record the result and lot number of the…
Perform a point-of-care hemoglobin check on donor Maria Gonzales, record the result and lot number of the reagent strip, advise if deferral is needed, update her donor record and notify the medical officer of any low values before the afternoon clinic closes.
The tools that do the workMEDITECH Blood BankO*NET

Administer subcutaneous or intramuscular injects, in accordance with licensing restrictions.

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Administer the prescribed subcutaneous influenza vaccine to patient James Carter following the standing…
Administer the prescribed subcutaneous influenza vaccine to patient James Carter following the standing order, confirm consent, prepare syringe with correct dose, label the injection site, observe him for 15 minutes, and document lot number and technique in the procedure note.
The tools that do the workElectronic medical record EMRO*NET

Serve refreshments to donors to ensure absorption of sugar into their systems.

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Offer each donor a 4-ounce fruit juice or glucose drink and a plain biscuit immediately after donation,…
Offer each donor a 4-ounce fruit juice or glucose drink and a plain biscuit immediately after donation, confirm they consume it while seated, record the time and type of refreshment on the donor chart, and recheck blood sugar if donor feels faint within 15 minutes.
The tools that do the workDonor management systemO*NET

Use heel sticks in infants for blood collection

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Prepare the infant at the bedside, warm the heel for two minutes, perform the heel stick with the correct…
Prepare the infant at the bedside, warm the heel for two minutes, perform the heel stick with the correct lancet depth, collect required microtubes, label each tube at the bedside with the infant's name and time, and document procedure and tolerance in the chart.
The tools that do the workIatric Systems MobiLabWikipedia

Identify and verify patient identity before procedures

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Before any draw, verbally confirm the patient's full name and date of birth, compare with the wristband and…
Before any draw, verbally confirm the patient's full name and date of birth, compare with the wristband and the requisition, ask the patient to state their name, and note the identity check method and outcome in the specimen log.
The tools that do the workLaboratory information system LISWikipedia

Follow healthcare facility policies and procedures

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Review the facility's phlebotomy policy summary, follow the specified order of draw, PPE, and sharps disposal…
Review the facility's phlebotomy policy summary, follow the specified order of draw, PPE, and sharps disposal for today's workload, report any deviations to the charge nurse, and record completion of the competency checklist for the shift.
The tools that do the workMedical procedure codingWikipedia

Communicate effectively in healthcare

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Introduce yourself, explain each step of the blood draw in plain language, ask if the patient has concerns or…
Introduce yourself, explain each step of the blood draw in plain language, ask if the patient has concerns or past adverse reactions, use calming tone and eye contact, and confirm understanding before proceeding.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOsee the evidence ↗

Medical procedure coding

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Add the donor visit to the medical procedure coding record: log collection type, units collected, technician…
Add the donor visit to the medical procedure coding record: log collection type, units collected, technician Sarah Park, vital signs at collection, and note next eligible donation date.
The tools that do the workDonor management systemO*NET

Says who?

These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.

O*NET 31-9097.00BLS pay surveyBLS OEWS 2025UK NOS SFHBDS3UK NOS SFHBDS4UK NOS SFHPCS22WikipediaESCOcollege.mayo.eduwhat people in this job say

The logs, files & records this job keeps

Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.

maintenancemedical recordmedical procedure codinglaboratory

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