HOC Course/Job Descriptions/Phlebotomy Technician

Annual Salary Range in San Diego County: $23,500-$34,000

Job Description:
A Phlebotomy Technician (phlebotomist) is an integral member of the medical laboratory team whose primary function is the collection of blood samples from patients. The Phlebotomy Technician also facilitates the collection and transportation of laboratory specimens and may be involved with patient data entry. A phlebotomy technician also draws blood for transfusions, donations and research.

Phlebotomy Technicians may work in hospitals, blood banks, clinics, doctors’ offices or laboratories. Although duties differ, according to the facility, responsibilities typically include: drawing blood from patients or donors; assembling equipment (such as needles, blood collection devices, gauze, tourniquet, cotton, and alcohol); labeling and storing blood containers for processing; conducting interviews, taking vital signs and testing blood samples to screen donors at blood banks.

Phlebotomy Technicians must like challenge and responsibility. They must be accurate, work well under pressure and communicate effectively. Phlebotomy Technicians are often the patient’s only contact with a medical laboratory; therefore, they must be able to deal with and calm anxious patients. Safety is the most important factor in the Phlebotomy Technician’s job, so they must take all precautions to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. The need for quality and patient safety means that strict professional behavior and standards of practice are required at all times.

Medical Lab Assistants must have a good understanding of basic knowledge in hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, chemistry, microbiology, immunology and histology. Duties include basic procedures in hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, microbiology and chemistry. Duties may include, plating microorganisms, loading specimens onto analyzers, accessioning patient samples, specimen processing, centrifuging samples, making blood smears, staining various specimens, and using various test kits. Attention to detail is a must, as well as initiative and working independently.

Health Occupations Center’s Medical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Technician program is offered through ROP. For more information, please call 619-590-3923 or visit the ROP office at 924 East Main Street, El Cajon.

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