We’ve listed the top abilities needed by a phlebotomist below. Based on the proportion of phlebotomist resumes that contained each skill, we ranked the top skills. For example, 15. 8% of Phlebotomist resumes contained Specimen Collection as a skill. Let’s examine the abilities a phlebotomist actually needs for professional success.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.
- Adaptability to a fast paced, changing work environment.
- Proper personal hygiene.
- Critical thinking & problem solving abilities.
- Dependability.
- Multitasking and time management skills.
- Organizational skills and the ability to prioritize assignments.
Using a skills checklist
When applying for a new job, a skills checklist can assist you in choosing which abilities to highlight in your resume and cover letter. A checklist’s skills are key phrases that can help set your job application materials apart from the competition. In the course of your job search, keywords are expressions that relate to the qualifications that employers seek in job candidates. You can choose the appropriate skills to highlight on your resume by being aware of the skills that are most prevalent and significant in your industry.
What are phlebotomist skills?
The hard and soft skills that phlebotomists need to do their jobs well are known as phlebotomist skills. A phlebotomist is a medical professional who takes samples of patients’ blood and other bodily fluids. These samples aid medical professionals in diagnosing patients, determining medical risk factors, and tracking the effectiveness of treatment. Alongside physicians, nurses, medical assistants, technicians, administrators, and insurance companies, phlebotomists provide care. When taking samples from patients, they work closely with them and adhere to strict protocols to ensure the process is safe and hygienic.
Phlebotomist skills checklist by category
It can be beneficial to think of your necessary phlebotomy skills in terms of various categories. Following are some categories of phlebotomist skills, each with an example:
Patient preparation
An essential component of a phlebotomist’s job is interacting with patients and getting them ready for procedures. Phlebotomists welcome patients to appointments, assist with check-in, go over procedures with them, and ask about their medical histories. For instance, you might need to find out if they take any blood thinners or if they have any allergies, like a latex sensitivity. Some examples of patient preparation skills include:
Sample collection
Collecting blood and fluid samples is a phlebotomists primary duty. They need the ability to successfully draw blood while reducing the risk of harm or infection to their patients. Phlebotomists have specialized training in vein location and stabilization, tourniquet use, needle placement, and infection control. You should list the following sample collection skills in your job application:
Sample management
Phlebotomists use their education and experience to store, label, preserve, transport, and process samples as necessary after collecting them. To manage the samples they collect, they require both hard skills like organization and soft skills like technical expertise in particular sample storage techniques. Sample management skills for phlebotomists include:
Population-specific procedures
It’s possible for phlebotomists to work with some unique clinical populations, so it’s crucial to have experience working with various populations. Your resume can stand out from the competition by mentioning any special clinical populations you have worked with or any certifications you have for working with special populations. Populations to include in your job search materials are:
Specialized procedures
Last but not least, you might have experience performing some advanced procedures as a phlebotomist. You can demonstrate your unique skill set to a potential employer by listing any procedures you have experience with or additional credentials to perform. Some procedures to include are:
How to develop phlebotomists skills
Here are some tips for developing your phlebotomist skills:
Take volunteer opportunities
Seeking out volunteer opportunities is one way to advance your phlebotomy abilities. Volunteering for a blood donation organization or a community clinic can be a great way to hone your technical abilities while interacting with patients. Volunteering at a hospital or nursing home can give you the chance to meet patients and hone your communication and caregiving skills while also helping you if you’re trying to improve your interpersonal and communication skills.
Finding opportunities to volunteer with these groups can help you improve your communication skills for working with a particular clinical population, such as children or elderly patients, while having a positive impact on your community. For instance, you could volunteer to teach a children’s first aid course at your neighborhood library or pay a visit to nursing home patients. You might find it simpler to connect with members of these groups during your shifts if you spend time with them outside of work.
Find a professional mentor
A professional mentor is an expert in your field who can provide career advice and direction. They can serve as role models, provide advice, and provide clarification on how to develop your skills and advance your career. They have the expertise necessary to provide insight into your career path because they are senior professionals. Additionally, they could offer you advice on how to improve your professional weaknesses and strengths.
They might offer specific suggestions on actions you can take to hone your skills and advance your career based on your areas for improvement. For instance, they might be connected to people outside of your place of employment who can provide volunteer opportunities or access to training for professional development. Making the most of these chances can be a great way to advance your abilities, build relationships with others, and demonstrate your initiative.
Continue your education
It’s crucial for medical professionals to stay current with their field’s most recent research. New sample collection methods, equipment or technology to advance your practice, or updated advice on the most effective infection-prevention precautions can all be part of this research. Consider joining a professional organization, taking courses or professional development training, or subscribing to scientific journals pertinent to your field of work to further your education.
Professional associations regularly provide training resources and hold events for their members, which can be excellent opportunities to network with others and pick up new skills. Enrolling in a certification or degree program as part of your continuing education can help you learn specialized skills that could help you advance to senior positions in your industry. Lastly, reading academic publications enables you to stay up to date on current trends by studying the newest research findings in your field.
How to highlight phlebotomist skills
Here are some pointers for emphasizing your skills when looking for work:
Resume
Your professional summary and skills section are two areas on your resume where you should emphasize your most pertinent skills. Your professional summary, also referred to as an objective statement, is a succinct two- to three-sentence statement that highlights your most salient qualifications, your motivation for applying for the job, and your core values as a professional. In this section, you can list your most important qualifications for the job you’re applying for. This concisely summarizes your most important skills for the hiring manager so they can see you have the necessary qualifications for the position.
Additionally, you can list your soft and hard skills in the resume’s skills section. Near the bottom of your resume, the skills section typically lists both soft and technical skills. These may include interpersonal skills like leadership and communication as well as technical expertise like the ability to use specific medical software and equipment. You make it simple for the hiring manager to scan and assess your qualifications by listing your skills in a section at the end of your resume.
Cover letter
When applying for a job, many hiring managers demand that applicants send a cover letter in addition to their resume. By giving specific examples of how you used your skills to succeed in your previous positions, you can expand on your skills in your cover letter. You could, for instance, talk about a time when you were able to solve a problem, pacify a patient, or resolve a conflict through the use of effective communication. By giving the hiring manager more context, highlighting your best skills in your cover letter supports the skills listed on your resume.
Interview
Using the STAR method when responding to questions during a job interview is one way to highlight your skills. The STAR method stands for:
This approach enables you to format each response as a succinct narrative that describes a time when you took a particular action to deal with a problem. You begin by describing the situation that led to the issue and the challenge you faced. You then elaborate on the knowledge and methods you applied to solve the issue. Finally, you explain how your actions resulted in a successful outcome, like a satisfied client or a strengthened working relationship. You can demonstrate your ability to use particular skills to accomplish professional goals by using the STAR method.
Venipuncture OSCE Exam – Phlebotomy using a vacutainer
FAQ
What are three skills used in phlebotomy when approaching a patient?
What are three abilities that are used when talking to a patient? Social, administrative, and technical abilities
What are 3 technical duties of a phlebotomist?
- Preparing patients before drawing blood.
- educating patients about blood draw procedures and responding to any questions they may have
- observing all health and safety guidelines and procedures to keep work areas clean
What are the basics of phlebotomy?
- Patient identification. A phlebotomist’s work starts well before a vein is punctured.
- Tourniquet application. …
- Anchoring the vein. …
- Inserting the needle. …
- Collection of Evacuated Tubes.
