Phlebotomists, or phlebotomy technicians, are health care professionals who collect blood samples from patients for tests, transfusions or donations. They assist with the handling, labeling, and processing of these samples and frequently enter patient information into a database.

“They’re also tasked with providing patient education on proper collection,” says Angela Bell, professor and program director of medical laboratory technology and phlebotomy at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Virginia. “Sometimes, patients have to collect samples at home, so the phlebotomist will educate them on the processes.”

Phlebotomy is an entry-level role in laboratory sciences, so preparing for this job does not require as much time in school as some other occupations in the medical field. In fact, Bell says it’s not unusual for phlebotomists to continue their education, working as phlebotomists part time while going back to school to study nursing, radiography, medical laboratory science or another avenue of health care.

Phlebotomists must have good people skills, as they will interact with patients and may need to help relax individuals who are nervous about having their blood drawn. They should also be detail-oriented, be willing to keep their workspace clean and sanitized, and of course, they should be unbothered by the sight of blood.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7.7% employment growth for phlebotomists between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 10,800 jobs should open up.

Aspiring phlebotomists should enroll in a diploma or certificate program for phlebotomy. In these programs, students learn health care basics, including medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and develop the skills necessary for drawing blood correctly. Students are also placed into a clinical internship to practice their phlebotomy skills with hands-on learning.

Licensure requirements vary by state, so depending on location, graduates of a phlebotomy program may need to be certified before they can start working in the field. Phlebotomists must be certified to work in California, Louisiana, Nevada and Washington. But even in states where licensure isn’t required, individual employers may require it or prefer to hire candidates who are certified.

Multiple organizations offer phlebotomy technician certifications, including, but not limited to, the National Phlebotomy Association, the National Center for Competency Testing and the National Healthcareer Association. Fees and continuing education requirements to renew certification, as well as how long a certificate is valid, vary depending on the issuing organization.