Phlebotomists in California Page 1 of 6 What Would I Do?

Page 1 of 6
Guide for
Phlebotomists in California
May also be called: Certified Phlebotomy Technicians; Donor Phlebotomy Technicians; Limited
Phlebotomy Technicians
What Would I Do?
Phlebotomists collect blood samples and units for laboratory tests, transfusions, donations, or
research.
Human health depends to a large degree on the precision and professionalism of Phlebotomists.
Physicians diagnose major medical conditions based upon blood samples, including many kinds of
cancer, diabetes, thyroid disease, allergies, and pregnancy. In addition, donated blood and platelets
collected at blood centers account for thousands of lives saved every year in California. It is the
Phlebotomist who must safely collect blood samples, identify them accurately, and preserve them
properly until needed for testing or transfusion.
There are three ways to collect blood:
Venipuncture is the most common means of collecting a blood specimen. It involves placing a
needle in a vein, typically at the bend of the arm or back of the hand.
Skin punctures involve piercing skin tissue that will bleed to collect a small amount of blood for
minimal testing. An example of a skin puncture would be a finger prick.
Arterial blood gas puncture (commonly referred to as an ABG) involves drawing blood from an
artery, typically in the wrist. This kind of draw is rare, and as a rule done on patients who have a
respiratory condition.
Phlebotomists who work in medical clinics and hospitals are called Certified Phlebotomy Technicians
(CPTs) and generally collect blood samples based on a physician’s order. The blood specimen, once
taken, is then sent for diagnostic testing in a laboratory.
Phlebotomists who work for blood centers or blood banks are sometimes called Donor Phlebotomy
Technicians. They can work at one location, or may be a member of a traveling team holding blood
drives at schools, businesses, and community organizations.
In addition to the technical part of the job, Phlebotomists must be aware of the patient’s well-being
before, during, and immediately following the blood collection. Their work requires explaining each
procedure to patients and donors, as well as communicating with other staff and laboratory personnel.
Tools and Technology
Phlebotomists use a variety of tools in the course of their work. These include syringes, centrifuges,
and blood analysis machines such as cuvettes, scales, vials, blood pressure monitors, and
disinfectants. They may use computer recordkeeping programs and calendars to update patient and
donor information.
Page 2 of 6
Important Tasks and Related Skills
The tasks in the table below are common to Phlebotomists. Some duties require a higher level of
certification to be performed in California. Each task is matched to a sample skill required to carry out
the task.
Task
Skill Used in this Task
Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
Perceptual Speed
Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
Speaking
Collect blood sample from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly
venipuncture methods.
Collect blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel or finger
stick methods.
Draw blood from arteries, using arterial collection techniques.
Document route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and
diagnosis, or to blood bank.
Determine donor suitability, according to interview results, vital signs, and
medical history.
Conduct hemoglobin tests to ensure donor iron levels are normal.
Monitor blood or plasma donors and patients during and after procedures
to ensure health, safety, and comfort.
Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are
sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with
applicable laws, standards, or policies.
Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws,
standards, and policies.
Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical
professionals.
Serve refreshments to donors to ensure absorption of sugar into their
systems.
Arm-hand steadiness
Coordination
Finger Dexterity
Clerical
Active Listening
Near Vision
Monitoring
Information ordering
Public Safety and
Security
Problem Sensitivity
Operation Monitoring
Customer and Personal
Service
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Information Network (O*NET) at online.onetcenter.org.
Working Conditions
Working conditions vary with the size and type of employment setting. Medical centers, hospitals, and
blood centers are generally well lighted, temperature-controlled, and clean. Proper methods of needle
disposal, infection control, and “universal precautions” are necessary to avoid occupational hazards.
Workers must wear gloves and change them between patients or donors. Occasionally, they need to
wear gowns when working in a controlled environment.
Phlebotomists may spend a great deal of time on their feet, especially those in blood centers. Those
working for hospitals and medical centers generally work a 40-hour week. Some blood centers have
limited hours and employ Phlebotomists on a part-time basis.
Some Phlebotomists belong to unions such as the Service Employees International Union.
Page 3 of 6
Will This Job Fit Me?
The job of Phlebotomist will appeal to those who enjoy communicating with and assisting others.
Those who are caring and kind, and who are good at recognizing problems and remembering details,
might like this type of work.
What Wages and Benefits Can I Expect?
Wages
A formal salary survey is not available for Phlebotomists. Advertised job listings for Phlebotomists in
California show a wide range of earnings, between $11 and $25 per hour. Phlebotomists who work for
insurance companies or mobile medical companies often earn “per draw” fees of between $20 and
$42. Generally, workers in large cities earn higher wages than those who work in small towns and rural
areas.
Benefits
Employers may provide health and life insurance, sick leave, vacation, and retirement plans.
What is the Job Outlook?
Employment opportunities for Phlebotomists are expected to be comparable to the demand for skilled
laboratory personnel. Overall, the need for these workers is expected to increase over the next decade
due to the rapidly growing older population and the resulting demand for testing that requires blood
specimens.
According to California’s Department of Public Health, there are approximately 50,000 workers who
hold active Phlebotomy certificates.
How Do I Qualify?
Education, Training, and Other Requirements
The minimum education requirement to enter a training program is a high school or general
equivalency diploma, or proof of higher education in lieu of high school graduation. Students must also
be at least 18 years old.
Phlebotomists who work in hospitals, medical centers, or laboratories must first complete a stateapproved training program and serve a minimum of 40 hours of phlebotomy practice to qualify for the
certification exam in California. Training programs generally take 3-6 months and cover basic
hematology, venipuncture techniques, appropriate site selection, routine processing, safety, and
infection control procedures. The 40 hours phlebotomy practice includes at least 50 venipunctures and
ten skin punctures.
Phlebotomists who work for licensed blood centers or banks can be trained in house by their employer,
although the blood center must meet all state, federal, and organizational training requirements. Blood
center Phlebotomists are sometimes called donor phlebotomy technicians and their work is limited to
working at blood banks, drawing blood through skin or venipuncture methods.
Early Career Planning
High school students interested in becoming a Phlebotomist will benefit from taking courses in English,
biology, and health. There are California Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs) available for this
occupation. To find a local ROP program, go to the California Association of Regional Occupational
Centers and Programs Web site at www.carocp.org/carocps.html.
Page 4 of 6
Continuing Education
Phlebotomists must keep their skills current over the years, as well as update their knowledge of
current health and safety regulations. To renew certification, which is required every two years, they
must take six hours of continuing education approved by the Laboratory Field Services division of
California’s Department of Public Health.
Certification
California’s Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires any Phlebotomist who draws blood for
laboratory and medical testing to obtain certification by passing an exam given by a state-approved
organization.
There are currently three levels of state certification:
Limited Phlebotomy Technician – Authorized to perform skin puncture blood collection only.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician I – Authorized to perform venipuncture and skin punctures.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician II – Authorized to perform venipuncture, arterial puncture, and
skin punctures.
Phlebotomists who work in licensed blood centers do not need to be state certified as long as their
work is limited to drawing blood from donors through skin or venipuncture methods. They are
sometimes called donor phlebotomy technicians in these establishments. They can be trained in house
by the blood center, and must meet the training requirements established by the medical director.
Some blood centers require their donor phlebotomy technicians be state certified, and some workers
voluntarily gain certification to better achieve recognition and demonstrate competence.
To see a list of the currently approved certifying agencies, go to
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/lfs/Documents/PhleboCertExamsApproved08Feb05A.pdf.
To obtain certification, applicants must submit an application, pay the appropriate fees, and pass the
certifying organization’s examination. Certificates are valid for two years.
For more information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Career InfoNet Web site at www.acinet.org
and scroll down to “Career Tools.” Click on “Certification Finder” at
www.acinet.org/certifications_new/default.aspx and follow the instructions to locate certification
programs.
Where Can I Find Training?
Training programs for Phlebotomists exist at community colleges, adult schools, and private training
institutions. There are two ways to search for training information at
www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/?Pageid=1013:
Search by Field of Study to find what programs are available and what schools offer those
programs. You may use keywords such as phlebotomy and blood.
Search by Training Provider to find schools by name, type of school, or location.
Contact the schools you are interested in to learn about the classes available, tuition and fees, and any
prerequisite course work.
Where Would I Work?
Phlebotomists work in hospitals, medical centers, outpatient clinics, blood banks, or medical
laboratories. Some work for insurance companies or for a mobile phlebotomist company that
administers exams for insurers.
Finding a Job
Page 5 of 6
Direct application to employers remains one of the most effective job search methods. Hospitals
advertise openings in newspaper classified ads, Internet job listings, and some also recruit through
private employment agencies. Job seekers can apply directly to hospital or blood center personnel
departments throughout California. Online job opening systems include JobCentral at
SM
www.jobcentral.com and CalJOBS at www.caljobs.ca.gov.
To find your nearest One-Stop Career Center, go to Service Locator at www.servicelocator.org. View
the helpful job search tips at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/occguides/JobSearchTips.pdf for more
resources (requires Adobe Reader).
Yellow Page Headings
You can focus your local job search by checking employers listed online or in your local telephone
directory. Below are some suggested headings where you might find employers of Phlebotomists.
Blood Banks
Clinics
Hospitals
Medical Centers
Find Possible Employers
To locate a list of employers in your area, use “Find Employers” on the LaborMarketInfo Web site at
www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/aspdotnet/databrowsing/empMain.aspx?menuChoice=emp.
Select Search for Employers by Occupation.
Select a geographic area.
Search for an occupation by keyword, occupation, or category.
Select one of the top industries that employ the occupation.
This will give you a list of employers in that industry in your area.
Click on “View Filter Selections” to limit your list to specific cities or employer size.
Click on an employer for the street address, telephone number, size of business, Web site, etc.
Contact the employer for possible employment.
Where Could This Job Lead?
With experience, Phlebotomists can move into supervisory roles. Advancement to related occupations
such as medical assistant requires taking additional education and state licensure. The field is
sometimes considered a good starting point for people to decide if they would like to continue in the
medical field and pursue training as a medical assistant or nursing career.
Related Occupations
Other medical professionals draw blood as part of their daily tasks. Below is a list of occupations
related to Phlebotomists:
Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians (SOC 29-2012)
Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092)
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2056)
Other Sources
California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services
www.cdph.ca.gov
American Association of Blood Banks
www.aabb.org
Page 6 of 6
These links are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by EDD.
For the Career Professional
The following codes are provided to assist counselors, job placement workers, or other career
professionals.
System
Code
SOC – Standard Occupational Classification at www.bls.gov/soc
31-9097
O*NET – Occupational Information Network at www.online.onetcenter.org
Phlebotomists
31-9097.00
TOP – Taxonomy of Programs at http://www.cccco.edu/Portals/4/AA/TopTax6_rev0909.pdf )
Phlebotomy
1205.10
The California Occupational Guides are a product of:
The California Employment Development Department
Labor Market Information Division
www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov
Published: February 3, 2012