A phlebotomist is in charge of taking blood samples for testing, administering blood transfusions, working on field research projects, and helping to collect other body fluid samples. To effectively carry out their jobs, they need both soft and hard talents across a wide spectrum. You can better prepare for this role by having an understanding of these abilities and how they are used in the workplace. In this post, we go over the value of a phlebotomist skills checklist and its advantages, go over the different abilities needed, look at their job outlook and average compensation, and identify a few different phlebotomist career alternatives.
Why Is A Phlebotomist Skills Checklist Important?
A phlebotomist skills checklist is helpful in a variety of ways, from the job search to the hiring process. They are very helpful to that candidates who are actively seeking new roles. Having the relevant skills mentioned in your resume can help you appear a competitive candidate when potential employers conduct application screenings. You can also include two or three important skills in the body of your cover letter, which can help you build an effective first impression.
Finally, when you are in an interview for the phlebotomist role, you can demonstrate your relevant skills in your answers. That can increase your chances of being shortlisted for the next stage of the hiring process.
Benefits of Having a Skill Checklist
Following are some of the major benefits of having a skill checklist for a job:
- Clarification: A well-planned skill checklist can help you get clarity on what skills the job requires. With the checklist, you can plan your learning and training on the essentials skills which can help you become a competitive candidate for the role.
- Insight: When you review the skill checklist, you naturally learn more about the duties and responsibilities the employers expect.
- Preparation: The skills checklist also keeps you prepared throughout the job search and the hiring process. By going through the checklist, you can be more prepared to write your CV and cover letter and learn potential interview questions and prepare answers.
- Perspective: A skills checklist can also help you gain a new perspective on what you want from your profession, the various positions that are open to you, the requirements that employers look for and the promotion prospects in your career path.
Phlebotomist Skills Checklist
To succeed in a phlebotomist role, you require a wide range of skills. Technical laboratory skills include familiarity and usage of a variety of medical equipment. They also require soft skills, like humbleness, as many patients are uncomfortable with the blood drawing process.
The following are some critical hard and soft skills that you may learn and add the applicable ones on your resume while applying for a job:
Sample collection
This is the primary responsibility of a phlebotomist and the first step in diagnosing a patient’s sickness. Phlebotomists require accurate specimen collection skills to assist physicians in making an accurate diagnosis. This may involve calculating the amount of blood required, locating the vein, cleaning the puncture site and drawing blood without causing undue discomfort to the patient.
Dexterity
A phlebotomist’s physical dexterity is crucial. To perform delicate tasks, such as operating equipment and drawing blood, phlebotomists require using their hands. They are required to draw blood quickly and efficiently, with the least amount of discomfort to the patients. Some of the major dexterity related abilities they require are:
- Close vision
- Hand-eye coordination
- Working quickly
Venipuncture
The process of drawing blood from a vein is known as a venipuncture. It is a necessary skill for aspiring phlebotomists to learn. Perfecting the venipuncture skill requires considerable time and practice to master.
Patient care
Phlebotomists work with patients on a daily basis. They require skills around patient care, including counselling patients, preventing infection and coordinating with other medical professionals. Patient care may also include responding to patients’ concerns, resolving their problems and delivering exceptional customer service.
Computer skills
Computer skills help phlebotomists to record and receive specimens into computer systems. Many organisations use various software to manage their patient records, making it a critical ability to work with computers. Their role requires them to record patients’ details appropriately based on demographic and clinical data. Strong computer skills can assist phlebotomists in entering data accurately into the system, ensuring that other medical professionals can easily access the relevant patient information.
Attention to detail
Phlebotomists require to be extremely precise in their work. Attention to detail can help them avoid errors when drawing blood, labelling and storing specimens. These skills also enable a phlebotomist to identify changes in the patient’s behaviour and make adjustments to the techniques to ensure their comfort.
Professionalism
Phlebotomists require adhering to the highest professional standards. They require familiarity with infection control methods to minimise the risk of infection to themselves, their patients and other healthcare workers. When handling needles, patients, specimens and venipuncture equipment, phlebotomists require following standard operating processes. As phlebotomists often have access to patients’ confidential information, including their medical problems, it is critical that they exhibit discretion and communicate patient information only with authorised individuals.
Communication
Strong communication skills help phlebotomists to communicate and educate their patients effectively. Actively listening helps them easily comprehend the speaker’s issues. Having strong verbal and writing communication skills helps them communicate effectively with other healthcare providers. They also require inquiries pertinent information about their patients’ health and questions about patient care from their colleagues.
Ability to multitask
Phlebotomists work in high-volume workplaces, where they require managing several specimens while adhering to strict timelines and responding to physicians’ requests. Multitasking abilities enable phlebotomists to manage many tasks concurrently. For example, they may be required to see multiple patients, observe specimens and take phone calls with a little time between different activities.
Phlebotomist Job Outlook
Phlebotomists may find employment in hospitals, laboratories, clinics or private offices. Their work hours may vary depending on their type of organisation. For instance, they may work standard business hours in private offices and some laboratories, whereas phlebotomists in hospitals may work extended shifts at various times of the day and week. Phlebotomists, like other medical professionals, may work overtime or be on call at specific times.
They spend most of their time indoors and work closely with patients and medical workers. Physicians and laboratory technologists often act as supervisors of phlebotomists’ duties. Their job also requires them to wear protective clothing such as face masks and gloves to minimise infection exposure.
Average Phlebotomist Salary
The national average salary of a phlebotomist is ₹14,145 per month. This figure varies depending on aspects such as necessity, specific job responsibilities, training, education and experience level. The location of a phlebotomist may also influence their compensation. For example, they earn an average salary of ₹17,608 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the highest in the country.
Alternative Careers Options for Phlebotomists
There are multiple other job opportunities available for phlebotomists in the healthcare field, including:
1. Patient Care Technician
National average salary: ₹2,66,264 per year
Primary duties: Patient care technicians, as the name suggests, take care of patients by keeping their rooms clean, monitoring their progress and doing basic nursing operations. They also educate the patient’s relatives on the necessary at-home care processes.
2. Registered Nurse
National average salary: ₹2,39,496 per year
Primary duties: A registered nurse provides direct care to patients by monitoring and recording vital signs, providing medications and aiding with procedures. They act as an effective coordination link between the patient and the doctor.
3. Nursing Assistant
National average salary: ₹2,05,903 per year
Primary duties: Nursing assistants help individuals with routine duties, including feeding, dressing and washing. They work in close contact with patients and are crucial in their recovery phase. Working with patients as a phlebotomist can be a good beginning point for a career as a nursing assistant.
4. Laboratory Technician
National average salary: ₹2,11,199 per year
Primary duties: Laboratory technicians prepare specimens for testing in the laboratory. To help ensure the specimen is ready for inspection, they use many similar types of equipment as phlebotomists. They may also examine a few kinds of samples to determine the underlying condition of a patient.