A Phlebotomist is a trained specialist whose primary role is to draw blood from patients. Phlebotomists become certified while completing medical laboratory assistant programs, which entails additional roles and responsibilities. However, their training can singularly incorporate only the tasks that are common for the typical Phlebotomist.  
  
Phlebotomists work directly with patients who are having their blood drawn. There are many various reasons why this would happen, including transfusions, testing, research, donation, or medical procedures. While drawing blood from patients, the Phlebotomist needs to ensure that they feel comfortable. Since many people can feel uneasy with blood, the trained Phlebotomist may also need to assist their patient reactions, including fainting or nausea.   
  
Apart from working directly with the patients, Phlebotomists can also work closely with doctors, nurses, scientists, and lab technicians. They are responsible for drawing the blood from their patient and maintaining all the equipment involved, handling the samples, and submitting data entry before passing the material along to the right source. 
 
Roles & Responsibilities for a Phlebotomist 

• Conducting blood draws and transfusions from patients  
• Planning to ensure they meet all standards of quality care with location, materials, and equipment  
• Providing the proper hygienic material such as soap and water or hand sanitizer, sterile gloves, and a sufficient number of single-use needles and collection tubes  
• Preparing the patients for the blood draw, which can include helping them relax and searching for the right vain to puncture  
• Working directly with patients and walking them through the entire process  
• Assisting patients who may experience adverse reactions after the blood draw or transfusions  
• Safely handling all specimens and ensuring that all quality control is up to date  
• Using the correct sterilized equipment such as collection tubes so there is no cross-contamination or exposure to any prophylaxis  
• Supervising other staff members, based on experience or the structure of the training   
• Labeling all the material before submission and ensuring that the patients and sample match  
• Entering data when required, however not all Phlebotomists will carry out clerical work  
• Properly disposing of medical waste and maintaining all used instruments  
• Securing that all samples are in the proper condition for transporting