Phlebotomist
Also advertised as: Blood Collection Technician, Blood Test Clinician, clinical phlebotomist, Phlebotomist, Phlebotomy Assistant, phlebotomy practitioner
Draws blood samples from patients for testing and diagnosis.
What the job involves
Phlebotomists take blood samples accurately and safely, often seeing dozens of patients a day in clinics, wards or mobile units. It is one of the fastest routes into an NHS clinical role and needs a steady hand plus reassurance for needle-anxious patients. Many phlebotomists use it as a stepping stone into nursing or healthcare science.
Typical responsibilities
- Take blood samples using correct technique
- Verify patient identity and sample labelling
- Reassure anxious patients
- Maintain infection control standards
- Keep accurate records
Common employers
- NHS trusts and GP surgeries
- Private blood testing clinics
- Mobile health screening companies
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£22,000 – £24,000 a year
With experience
£25,000 – £28,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours, mostly daytime
Working environment
Clinics, wards and mobile testing units
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Venepuncture technique
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Infection control
- Manual dexterity
Transferable skills you may already have
- Working with the public
- Following precise procedures
- Calm bedside manner
Requirements employers ask for
- Venepuncture technique
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Infection control
- Manual dexterity
- In-house or college phlebotomy training certificate
- Enhanced DBS check
- interact with healthcare users
- ensure safety of healthcare users
- transport blood samples
- human anatomy
- maintain professional records
- comply with legislation related to health care
- label blood samples
- monitor patient's vital signs
- label medical laboratory samples
- perform venepuncture procedures
- work in multidisciplinary health teams
Useful but not essential
- Working with the public
- Following precise procedures
- Calm bedside manner
- Healthcare assistant experience
- NVQ in health and social care
- blood collection on babies
- blood product storage conditions
- handle patients with special needs
- blood transfusion
- paediatric phlebotomy procedures
- blood type classification
- medical terminology
- employ foreign languages in care
Helpful qualifications
- Healthcare assistant experience
- NVQ in health and social care
Licences and checks
- Enhanced DBS check
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Healthcare Support Worker (Level 2/3) with phlebotomy training
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Biology
- Related subject: Health and social care
Where this career can lead
next
Healthcare Assistant
next
Clinical Support Worker
next
Nursing (via further training)
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Quick route into healthcare without a degree
- Short, structured training
- Useful stepping stone role
What people find hard
- Repetitive daily tasks
- Pay plateaus without progressing further
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a phlebotomist?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a phlebotomist earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £22,000 to £24,000 a year, rising towards £28,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Working with the public, Following precise procedures, Calm bedside manner.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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