Phlebotomist Duties & Responsibilities

The role and function of a Phlebotomist includes the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Identifying patients and their personal information by reviewing their identity documents.
  • Assessing patient needs, reviewing patient history, and determining the reason(s) for drawing blood.
  • Selecting gauge needles and preparing veins or fingers for blood drawing.
  • Supplying diagnostic notes to physicians, other healthcare professionals, and hospitals.
  • Keeping and maintaining records of patient names, volume of blood drawn, and diagnostic findings.
  • Cleaning, maintaining, and calibrating laboratory equipment used in the drawing and testing of blood specimens.
  • Extracting blood from patients through venipuncture or fingersticks.
  • Analyzing blood specimens using the correct testing equipment, when necessary.
  • Preparing specimens for transportation, including labeling vials accurately and matching blood specimens to patients.
  • Ordering laboratory supplies, as needed.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Phlebotomist duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Phlebotomist roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.