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July 7, 2023What is a travel phlebotomist?
Like typical phlebotomists, mobile phlebotomists will primarily be tasked with drawing blood samples from patients, as well as other bodily fluids to help fellow colleagues in finding a diagnosis for the patient. The difference between the two is that a normal phlebotomist will operate in one particular setting, whereas traveling phlebotomists will operate in different settings regularly.
Job duties of a traveling phlebotomist
Do the job duties vary with a mobile phlebotomist? While the role itself is fairly similar in responsibilities to a regular phlebotomist, there may be some additional responsibilities that relate to the travel aspect of the job. Here are the job duties that you'd expect to find when seeking out mobile phlebotomist jobs:
Provide mobile phlebotomy services to home-bound clients and clients situated in a variety of healthcare facilities
Complete medical examinations of the patient; vital signs, urine collection, etc.
Collect samples for transportation to laboratories
Drawing blood from patients following relevant standards and requirements
Observing all health protocols in place and ensuring the client's safety and privacy
Enter and maintain patient information within healthcare systems
Determining specimen requirements based on the patient's individual care needs
How to become a traveling phlebotomist?
If you're looking at how to become a traveling phlebotomist, then it's important to understand what skills and education you'll need to secure a job in this profession. There are plenty of job openings for phlebotomists but ensuring you're equipped with all the must-haves will help secure a position in this career field.
Skills needed to become a traveling phlebotomist
What skills do you need for traveling phlebotomists? When you're looking at how to become a traveling phlebotomist, there will be certain skills you need to have. Some are skills you can build from scratch, while others might be rooted within your personality and who you are as an individual. Here's what you might find in a typical job description for this role.
People skills and patience with nervous patients
Ability to multi-task when scheduling your working week
Punctuality and reliability to show up at the right times for patient appointments
Detail for cleaning and sanitizing areas, as well as the transportation vehicle used
Ability to store and transport blood samples safely
Comfortable in patients' homes and other healthcare facilities
Talented at building relationships with doctors and other healthcare professionals
Job opportunities for travel phlebotomist
What makes a mobile phlebotomist such a sought-after position within the healthcare industry? When we compare a phlebotomist vs lab technician, a phlebotomist can end up being a stepping stone into the career of a lab technician. However, for phlebotomists, there's no shortage of job openings available.
In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market looks to grow by 10% between now and 2031. That's faster than average and faster than many other healthcare professions.
Pros and cons of becoming a traveling phlebotomist
Pros
Cons
Flexible schedules
A steady and regular income
Job security
Helping diagnosis and making patients better
You'll be in demand
Low training costs
Exposure to pathogens
Long working hours
You may encounter rude or aggressive patients
A low margin for error
Can be a stressful job
If you're looking for more variety in your role, then it might be worth looking at the role of a phlebotomist vs medical assistant, a similar but different career path to go down.
Average salary of a traveling phlebotomist
For traveling phlebotomy jobs, the average salary depends on whether you're going into an entry-level position or you're more experienced in the field. It also depends on the work location you're at. Work includes nursing homes, patient homes, hospital environments, organizations like the Red Cross, and private clinics.
An average phlebotomist salary in the US currently stands at $49,844.