> NHS Careers in Detail > Wider healthcare team > Types of careers > Clinical support staff > Phlebotomist
Phlebotomist
This page describes the role of a phlebotomist, the entry requirements and training, and also gives contact details for organisations that provide further information.
Working as a phlebotomist
Phlebotomists are specialised clinical support workers/assistant healthcare scientists who collect blood from patients for examination in laboratories, the results of which provide valuable information to diagnosing illness.
Phlebotomists have responsibility to take blood without harming the patient or disturbing the nursing care they are receiving at the time. They also need to ensure the blood is taken correctly, as if specimens are harmed during collection, test results may be unobtainable or worthless. Once the blood is taken phlebotomists are also responsible for transporting the specimen to the correct laboratory as and when required.
Many phlebotomists work part-time, and others may combine phlebotomy as part of their role as a clinical support worker/ assistant healthcare scientist
Entry requirements
There are no specific minimum requirements, although a range of GCSEs would be an advantage.Training
Your training will usually be entirely on the job and will include learning to take blood from different patient groups including children and the elderly.The aim of this programme is to provide the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge in phlebotomy. As a student you will undertake various objectives such as:
- the role of phlebotomy within the pathology department
- the importance of professional standards and codes of practice
- the methods of blood collection
- the aspects of blood taking and the requirements for different sample tubes and labelling protocols
- anatomical and physiological considerations in choosing appropriate sites for venepuncture
- the health and safety aspects of phlebotomy
How to apply/vacancies
All NHS trusts now advertise on the NHS Jobs website for trainee positions as well as qualified phlebotomists. Vacancies are also advertised in the local press and job centres. Additionally, you can contact the human resources department officer or head biomedical scientist at a hospital where you would like to work.
As training is usually undertaken whilst you are working, you should aim to secure a post before seeking training in phlebotomy.
Further information
For further general information about the work of phlebotomists, please contact:
*National Association of Phlebotomists
12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL
Tel: 0207 833 8784
Fax: 0208 363 7738
Email: phlebotomy@btinternet.com
Website: www.phlebotomy.org
*Institute of Biomedical Science
12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL
Tel: 020 7713 0214
Fax: 020 7436 4946
Email: mail@ibms.org
Website: www.ibms.org
(*NB Neither the National Association of Phlebotomists nor the Institute of Biomedical Science train phlebotomists and therefore cannot provide details of initial phlebotomy courses)
