Phlebotomists are the most vital players in the healthcare sector. They collect, analyze, and release blood samples from any patient safely, accurately, and efficiently. Experiences, even beginners, in the field who aim to set up their career path, now in a tightly competitive job market require an artfully crafted resume as a must. Here at this blog, we will take you step by step on how to write a powerful professional resume for a phlebotomist who will bring you your next job.

About Phlebotomists

The methods used to draw blood from the patient range from venipuncture-where a needle is inserted into the vein-to other methods such as finger sticks for infants and heel sticks.
Preparing Blood Samples: Once blood samples are collected, they are labeled, stored, and prepared for laboratory use. All samples are processed according to the principles of safety and sterility.
Patient Relationship: Phlebotomists often attempt to calm anxious patients regarding blood sample collection by adopting an impressive and professional look.
Instrumental Sterilization: They must ensure that all of the instruments such as needles, collection tubes, and bandages are cleaned and sterilized to avoid sample contamination.
Correct Labeling: All the blood samples should be properly labeled and detailed records should be maintained for the proper dispatch of samples to the concerned patients.
Safety and Hygiene: They must observe proper hygiene, putting on gloves and other protective gear to prevent infection or cross-contamination. They properly dispose of needles and biohazardous materials according to procedures set.

Check out the free resume templates for Phlebotomists' resumes.

Tips to Create a Phlebotomist Resume

Start with a Clear and Professional Header

Your resume's header should contain all your contact information for the potential employers to contact you. Ensure that you include your full name, phone number, email address, and even your postal address if feasible. In case you have a professional LinkedIn profile or any other website that can be of assistance in acquainting your abilities with recruiters, keep in mind to include them as well.

Example:

Rachel Vincent
456 Healthcare Road, City, State, ZIP
Phone: (123) 456-7890
Email: rachel.vincent@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachelvincent

Professional Summary

Your phlebotomist resume would have incomplete content if it didn't contain a professional summary. This is basically a chance to say hello to hiring managers and express your qualifications, experience, and what you can bring to the job in a few sentences.

Be sure to tailor it to the job that you're applying for, focusing on the most relevant aspects of your experience and skills.

Example:

"Certified phlebotomist with more than 4+ years of experience in collecting blood samples from high-volume medical facilities. Highly experienced and skilled in venipuncture and capillary puncture while maintaining good care of patients to ensure accurate specimen collection, while keeping patients comfortable. I look forward to contributing towards [Company Name] with my experience in laboratory procedures and safety standards."

Working Experience

Most important in your resume is your work experience. It should discuss those relevant jobs you have held and the specific responsibilities and achievements that may have existed in each role.

List down your job title, name of employer, dates of employment, and bullet points that detail your key responsibilities for each position. Ensure that you use action verbs, and try to state in quantifying terms as much as you can.

Example

Phlebotomist

XYZ Medical Clinic | City, State | June 2018 – Present

Collected and brought in >40 patients with blood samples every day and made sure all safety and sanitary measures were followed.
Prepared and kept the specimens appropriately in the laboratory, and the accuracy of sample identification was 99%.
Coordinated with the nurses and lab technologists to standardize the process of collecting the blood samples and smoothening the process of patient flow.
Trained new phlebotomists and ensured continued support to ensure healthcare compliance requirements.

Key Skills

Phlebotomy requires technical knowledge and a second set of soft skills to complete the task efficiently. Use this section to showcase the skills that will make you an excellent candidate for the job. Ensure your skills are tailor-made to align with any job description provided. Ensure you include any kind of technical know-how or personal attributes that the employer is looking for in an employee.

Technical Skills

Venipuncture or capillary puncture
Blood collection specimen
Specimen labeling, handling
Centrifugation and processing
Operate Lab Equipment
EHR Management

Soft Skills:

Effective communication and patient care skills
Attention to details
Ability to manage pressure and fast-paced setups
Time management and organizational skills
Team collaboration
Customer service, Friendly interaction with patients

Cluster your skills under technical and soft categories to display a holistic look at your skills in handling the complex technical aspect of phlebotomy and interacting with humans at a level of having the appropriate interpersonal soft skills.

Certifications and Licenses

These are necessary for any healthcare professional; however, especially true for phlebotomists. Any employer will want to know that you have the requisite qualifications to do your job safely and effectively. Be sure to list all of your relevant certifications, the issuing body, as well as the date you acquired this certification.

Certifications

Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) | Certified June 2020

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification | American Heart Association | Certified March 2019

CPR and First Aid Certification | Red Cross | January 2018

Add Your Education

Most job seekers will expect phlebotomists to have graduated from a formal training program or received a certificate. List your educational history, including the name of the institution, location, and dates attended. Include any coursework or honors you have received during your time at the university, as it applies.

Example

Phlebotomy Technician Program

ABC Technical College | City, State | Graduated May 2016

Completed 120 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of hands-on clinical experience

Coursework included venipuncture techniques, medical terminology, and patient interaction

Graduated with honors for outstanding performance in clinical procedures

High School Diploma

XYZ High School | City, State | June 2014

Align Your Resume to the Job Description

The best way to ensure an interview with the employer is by customizing the resume according to the specific job for which you're applying. Many recruiters use the Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes about specific keywords. Thus, it is advisable to make sure your resume contains words and terms related to the posting of the job. For instance, if it mentions "venipuncture" and "patient care," be sure to include those skills on your resume.

Make your resume different for each job so that the employer will know that you are the perfect fit for their requirement, thus upping your chances of clearing the initial screening process.

Patient Care and Caring

One of the most important aspects of a phlebotomist is the reassurance given to the patient so that they are comfortable and safe during the procedure. Most patients will be anxious or afraid of needles, so very caring treatment from you is necessary in such scenarios.

Focus on your exposure to the patients and the complaints raised by them. If you received good feedback from patients or have some specific achievement for minimizing patient unease, you can add that to your resume.

Example:

"Provided compassionate care to patients who were afraid of the needle and achieved a 95% positive rating for communication with the patient."

Use Active Verbs Relevant to the Job

Use action verbs in your job descriptions to make your resume more lively and interactive. For example, "performed venipuncture," "processed samples," and "trained new staff" illustrate that you are active and competent. Furthermore, try to quantify any of your achievements as much as possible. Numbers add meaning and help the employer understand the scope of responsibilities.

Example:

"Collected blood samples from over 50 patients daily with a success rate of 98% at the first attempt."

Action Verbs to Use

Assisted
Monitored
Maintained
Collected
Performed
Processed
Labeled
Educated
Collaborated

Keenly Organized Resume

A clean and tidy resume is easier to read, which will make it more probable to catch the eyes of the hiring managers. Use a simple layout, with standard fonts such as Arial or Calibri, and avoid disorganized formatting. The bullet points break long paragraphs so that your resume becomes easy for the eyes.

Some Layout Guidelines

Bold the title of each section
Ensure the blank space is just enough so as not to make it appear cluttered.
Ensure your resume is only one to two pages, with the most relevant experience

Final Takeaway

A well-written phlebotomy resume can be the ticket that secures your next healthcare job. Read on as this guide walks you through each of the steps required to create a resume that puts your skills, experience, and certifications in the best light.

Do not forget to tailor your resume for each job while emphasizing relevant specific skills and qualifications from the job description. Use action verbs, quantify achievements made, and ensure you professionally communicate your ability to deliver compassionate care. With these strategies, you're sure to get your next job as a phlebotomist in no time.

Phlebotomists Resume