Phlebotomist
On this page
- What's it like to be a Phlebotomist?
- How to become a Phlebotomist
- Top skills and experience for Phlebotomists
- Phlebotomist role reviews
What's it like to be a Phlebotomist?
A Phlebotomist (Kaitiki Toto) collects and manages biological samples including urine, blood and swabs. They greet patients, explain procedures, package, label and distribute samples and manage inventory. Phlebotomists need to be detail-oriented with some customer service skills. They may need to perform house calls to collect samples or deliver samples to a laboratory.
Tasks and duties
- Greeting patients and assisting with appointments.
- Explaining procedures to be carried out.
- Advising patients on any special requirements prior to procedures.
- Answering questions or concerns.
- Collecting blood and other samples from patients.
- Packaging, labelling and dispatching specimens.
How to become a Phlebotomist
You can become a trainee Phlebotomist without qualifications, but a driver’s licence is usually required. Becoming a qualified Phlebotomist requires registration and two years of practical experience.
Get a full driver’s licence.
Get experience and on-the-job training in a pathology lab or other medical laboratory environment.
After completing two years of practical experience, you can sit the Qualified Phlebotomy Technician exam to become qualified.
Apply for registration as a Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician via the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand.
Alternatively, consider completing a bachelor degree in health science or a related field to enhance your career options. This usually takes three years of full-time study.
