To find a phlebotomy technician job, you look at the usual suspects: hospitals, doctors’ offices, blood centers and the like. The Bureau of Labor Statistics webpage also lists more-obscure places for phlebotomy technicians. As always, networking is often more effective than responding to a job ad, so take care to cultivate personal contacts.

Get Certified

Getting your Phlebotomy Technician Certification opens up a world of opportunities. The certification proves you can perform basic procedures in the field, prepare specimens according to established practices and do many other things employers look for. Not only do you get more job opportunities, your pay will likely be higher, and your job security increases. It’s important to keep your certification current, so keep up with required ongoing training.

Thorough Resume and Cover Letter

Create a resume that sells yourself. For example, list all your certifications, even if some are in fields slightly different from phlebotomy. If you don’t have much to put on a resume, then list medical-related and phlebotomy classes you’ve taken. When you write your cover letter and resume, stress what you can do for your prospective employer, not what it can do for you. Explain the benefits and assets you bring to the job and how you intend to help the employer.

Knock on Doors

Phlebotomy is a fast-growing field. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 27 percent job growth through 2022. Vacancies are happening every day, and not all of them get posted online. Take advantage of your personal and professional network contacts to find out about these jobs, and definitely don’t be shy about going to hospitals, blood centers, laboratories and the like in person. Dress professionally, introduce yourself and leave copies of your resume and cover letter. You may even get an interview on the spot.

Location and Keywords

Bureau of Labor Statistics data as of 2012 show more phlebotomy technicians in some states than in others. The East Coast, Texas and California employ particularly high numbers of such people. Also, if you’re searching for jobs online, search under different titles such as laboratory technician and venipuncture technician.

Phlebotomy is a medical process that is used frequently in hospitals and private clinic settings. This procedure makes a small incision in a patient's vein with a needle in order to draw a certain amount of blood. The blood sample drawn may be sent on to a medical laboratory for further analysis.

What Is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is the medical procedure that occurs when a medical professional pricks a patient's finger or draws additional blood from a patient. The actually drawing of the blood sample is called venipuncture. A phlebotomist, doctor or nurse may take these samples. The following instructions may request a blood sample:

1. Medical Testing
Medical testing is frequently requested by a patient's physician in order to rule out certain diseases or medical problems.

2. Transfusions
A donor who wishes to give blood during a blood drive is assisted by a phlebotomist. This medical assistant is the person who is taking the blood donation.

3. Research
Blood may be taken for certain types of medical research purposes.

What Training Is Required for an Entry Level Position as a Phlebotomist?

Several states require that a phlebotomist receive a license and specialized training that is monitored by a state licensing board. The states that require additional licensing in order to perform this job position are California, Washington, Nevada and Louisiana. Other jurisdictions require on the job training including the following:

1. Preparing a Patient
A patient will need to be prepared regarding this medical procedure. Preparation can include cleaning the incision area and teaching the patient about the upcoming medical process.

2. Performing the Skin Vein Puncture
A phlebotomist is required to puncture the skin vein and to draw the blood into the necessary containers. The blood samples are sent on to the necessary laboratories.

A phlebotomist is a medical assistant who is in charge of drawing necessary blood samples and sending these samples on to the laboratories for further examination. Most phlebotomy students need to complete a course in this medical discipline and have certain hours of necessary training and experience.

Columbus, Ohio is a thriving metropolis with a strong system of healthcare resources. Phlebotomists with the appropriate training have a variety of job opportunities available to them, including work in hospitals, laboratories, blood banks, and doctor's offices. These positions generally require basic training in phlebotomy, and some may even request that their phlebotomists be certified by a professional organization. While all phlebotomy jobs center around the drawing of blood from patients, the work environment and day-to-day duties may vary somewhat depending on the setting.

Laboratories and Testing Centers

Phlebotomy jobs are plentiful in Columbus, Ohio's many laboratories and testing centers. These facilities receive a steady stream of patients who have been sent for blood work by their doctor; job applicants also visit these laboratories for routine drug screening. Phlebotomists can gain valuable experience working with a diverse set of patients while working in one of these labs.

Blood Banks

Blood banks can be a viable source of employment for phlebotomists in Columbus, Ohio. These facilities need employees with phlebotomy training to screen donors and handle blood donations.

Doctor's Offices

Many doctor's offices in Columbus employ their own phlebotomist instead of sending patients to a laboratory for blood work. In these larger offices, usually shared by a number of doctors, a phlebotomist can work as part of the office staff, collecting blood samples from patients throughout the day.

Hospitals

Columbus, Ohio is home to several well-regarded hospitals, and these facilities often have need of qualified phlebotomists. Nurses with phlebotomy training often handle the task of drawing blood from patients and preparing IV drips, but sometimes phlebotomists are hired to assist with these duties. Hospital phlebotomists don't stay in one location within the hospital: they travel throughout the facility with a mobile unit containing their supplies, working with patients in all areas of the hospital.