Are you looking into phlebotomy training and unsure if you want to work in a hospital, clinic, or do blood work on the road? Each environment has its benefits, but mobile phlebotomy offers unique surprises along the way. Mobile phlebotomy represents a career path that allows you to do blood work on the go and make meaningful connections along the way.
1. Mobile phlebotomy is a great opportunity to kickstart a phlebotomy career.
Unlike hospitals and clinics, mobile phlebotomy companies are more likely to hire newly licensed phlebotomists that have little to no work experience in the field. It is a great opportunity for new phlebotomists to gain important work experience you will need if you want to transition to a hospital or clinic setting.
2. Traveling phlebotomists may often make meaningful network connections.
It is common for mobile phlebotomists to develop cordial relationships with various employees they encounter at the facilities and laboratories they visit. This is especially prevalent when serving repeating customers, such as nursing homes or concierge patients. Phlebotomists are often exposed to a variety of different living environments and diverse communities. Through weekly or monthly appointments, such connections may be bound to happen. This is great opportunity to expand networking opportunities to transition into clinics or hospitals and further your career.
3. Mobile phlebotomists can serve the needs of a variety of different clients.
As a traveling phlebotomist, you may encounter an assortment of clientele, who may possess different needs. For instance, the services you provide to elders in a nursing home may differ from the work you do for a college campus blood drive. Other client needs may consist of life insurance applications and concierge services.
Prior to your arrival, it is important to gather useful information from clients to accommodate their needs. Some questions that you should be prepared to ask include what age group you are working with, how many clients are to be expected, and if the patients have had blood work done before. The responses to such questions may help you determine what supplies you should gather, but also suggest how you should adapt your bedside manner to make patients as comfortable as possible.
4. Mobile phlebotomists should carefully define their geographic territory.
Prior to onboarding clients, you should deliberately establish your geographic territory. On average, phlebotomists may drive up to 50-100 miles per day within their distinguished region. If the territory is too large, phlebotomists may feel too rushed and unable to meet the needs of all their patients. This may lead to insufficient work and poor patient relationships, which are two categories of utmost importance to fulfill high-quality care. If a territory is too small, however, the phlebotomist’s value may be limited.
This may be a trial and error process to confidently determine your ability to manage a bigger workload and travel. If you are beginning your career, it may be useful to overestimate how much time you may spend with each client and decrease appointment times from there, rather than overworking and rushing yourself at the beginning. This typically allows phlebotomists to account for enough travel time in between appointments and feel less pressured by time.
5. Mobile phlebotomists often keep equipment in their cars.
Since mobile phlebotomists are consistently traveling, it is common to keep equipment in their cars. It may be beneficial to keep a supply of blood draw tools in your car to make sure you don’t run out in between appointments. Commonly used phlebotomy equipment consists of multiple needle types (i.e. butterfly), blood collection tubes and labels, non-sterile gloves, alcohol pads, gauze, and bandages. Mobile phlebotomists also recommend obtaining a centrifuge to spin select tubes when necessary and a cooler to transport certain samples under ice.
At the end of a long day, it may be helpful to take inventory of what remains in your supply and to take note of what materials you need to purchase for the upcoming week.
6. Patients often fail to allow ample time for the blood draw.
When coordinating appointment times with patients, it is imperative to acknowledge that patients may not set aside enough time for the blood draw. This is not at the fault of the phlebotomist, but it is necessary to recognize that some patients may become easily annoyed. Though you may want to hurry the blood draw along, do not rush your work. Having transparent conversations with clients about how it is best to not constrain the time is just one way to combat this issue.
7. Mobile phlebotomists must clearly understand how they are being compensated.
Before accepting any occupation, you should understand how you are being compensated for your job performance. For mobile phlebotomists, common compensation components may include one or more of the following: payment per blood draw, hourly rates, and/or mileage reimbursements.
In the state of California, the average hourly wage for phlebotomists is $18.50 per hour or an annual salary of roughly $38,306. While researching traveling phlebotomy positions, pay attention to the details. Some companies may offer you full-time benefits as a mobile phlebotomist if you work there long enough.
8. Mobile phlebotomy companies often seek to work with a phlebotomist’s schedule and availability.
Oftentimes, mobile phlebotomy companies personalize appointment dates and times with a phlebotomist’s schedule and availability. This allows phlebotomists to possess autonomy in their work calendar and prioritize a job well done.
Start Your Phlebotomy Career Today
If you are looking to become a mobile phlebotomist, PhlebotomyU will give you the education you need. With over 80 hours in the classroom and over 40 hours partnered with a local clinic or hospital, you will learn everything you need to know about phlebotomy and be set to pass the NCCT National Phlebotomy Certification Examination.
Enroll at PhlebotomyU today to start your career in mobile phlebotomy.
