Key Takeaways
- Phlebotomists collect blood samples for laboratory testing; they do not interpret results.
- Core duties are venepuncture, patient identification, labelling and getting samples to the laboratory.
- Mobile roles also need a driving licence and lone-working skills.
What Does a Phlebotomist Do?
A phlebotomist collects blood samples from patients for laboratory analysis, in hospitals, surgeries, clinics, care homes and patients’ homes. The core skill is venepuncture, but communication, safety and accuracy matter just as much.
Typical Duties
- Venepuncture and capillary sampling on patients of all ages
- Confirming patient identity with at least two identifiers
- Checking the tests requested and any special requirements, such as fasting
- Choosing the right tubes and following the order of draw
- Labelling samples at the point of collection
- Getting samples to the laboratory within the required time
- Infection prevention and control
- Safe disposal of sharps and clinical waste
- Recognising and managing reactions such as fainting
- Keeping accurate records
- Communicating with anxious patients and patients with additional needs
- Reporting incidents and near-misses
Essential Skills
- Manual dexterity — steady hands for accurate needle placement.
- Communication — explaining procedures, reassuring patients and obtaining consent.
- Attention to detail — identification, tube choice, labelling and documentation are safety-critical.
- Resilience — time pressure, difficult situations and exposure risks.
- Adaptability — every patient and setting is different.
- Infection control — strict adherence to IPC practice.
Qualifications Employers Look For
- A recognised phlebotomy training certificate
- Evidence of supervised practice on real patients
- An enhanced DBS check
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
For more, see how to become a phlebotomist in the UK.
Different Settings
- Hospital and surgery clinics — high-volume, structured work in outpatient departments, surgeries or on wards.
- Senior roles — training, auditing and leading a team.
- Private clinics — often a slower pace with more time per patient.
- Mobile phlebotomy — more control over hours and area, with your own transport and equipment to manage.
Mobile Phlebotomist Specifics
- A full UK driving licence and reliable vehicle
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Working independently and managing your own schedule
- Knowledge of sample transport requirements
- Lone working awareness
- Experience in homes, care homes and workplaces
Lola Dispatch is invitation-only. Qualified phlebotomists who would like to be considered can contact us.
Booking blood draws for your patients?
Lola Dispatch is an invitation-only platform healthcare businesses use to book mobile blood draws with approved phlebotomists. It does not take bookings from the public.