Phlebotomist Form

Phlebotomists are an instrumental part of the NHS team, making sure that the diagnosis of illness is done quickly and safely. 

Working life
As a phlebotomist, you will take blood samples from patients which are examined in a laboratory and the results can be used to quickly diagnose diseases and conditions. 

When taking blood, you have to be careful that you

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• don’t harm the patient

• don’t disturb any nursing care that the patient is receiving

• take the blood correctly so it can be used for testing

• label the samples carefully

• store the blood correctly

• deliver the samples promptly to the lab

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Patients may be nervous about having their blood taken, so you have to reassure them and put them at ease. Phlebotomists may work in hospitals, clinics or health centres. You may visit patients at home or in residential or care homes.

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Patients may be nervous about having their blood taken, so you have to reassure them and put them at ease.

Depending on where you're based, you will work as part of a team with nurses, healthcare science staff working in blood sciences, biomedical scientists, GPs and other healthcare staff. You may work as a healthcare assistant, and then receive training in phlebotomy so that you can take a patient's blood.