Phlebotomists are required to draw blood samples from their patients. This process can occur anywhere, frequently in a local clinic or an international hospital, but can even take place in the comfort of one’s home. Traveling phlebotomists, also known as mobile phlebotomists, conduct this process at patients’ homes or work. For people entering the phlebotomy profession, traveling phlebotomy jobs might be the perfect fit.
What are Mobile Phlebotomists?
The primary difference between a phlebotomist and a mobile phlebotomist is one’s ability to travel. Phlebotomists tend to have a more consistent work schedule and remain in a clinic for their shift. In contrast, a traveling phlebotomist’s work is more flexible and takes place in different settings.
A typical day for a mobile phlebotomist consists of traveling to personal residences or nursing homes to fulfill patient care needs. They also assist in blood drives, such as the Red Cross, to gather blood samples for blood transfusions for hospital patients.
How Much Does a Traveling Phlebotomist Make?
For an entry-level position, the annual salary for traveling phlebotomists ranges from $29,000 to $32,000. For people who have more experience, skills, and knowledge in the field, their salaries could range from $34,000 to $46,000. Depending on the company, mobile phlebotomists may receive additional compensation for the gas and time spent traveling.
As we consider the labor demand, traveling phlebotomist jobs salaries are expected to increase due to the growing elderly population and COVID-19. Mobile phlebotomists often assist the elderly, whose population is multiplying due to the baby boomer generation getting older. But with COVID-19, more people are opting to have blood drawn in the safety of their home or work instead of a busy hospital or clinic.
Is Traveling Phlebotomy the Job for Me?
To be a mobile phlebotomist, one must be flexible and willing to travel. If you do not enjoy traveling, an in-hospital phlebotomy position may be more suitable. For traveling phlebotomy jobs, phlebotomists manage their schedules and schedule appointments with their patients. They must be willing to be in a different setting each day and meeting and have reliable transportation.
Mobile phlebotomists are self-motivated and are capable of collaborating with a team. Although they are alone on the road, traveling phlebotomists are expected to regularly communicate with their supervisors and laboratory technicians to exchange client reports and blood samples.
Most traveling phlebotomist positions expect at least six months to a year’s worth of experience when applying. With that said, mobile phlebotomist is the most common entry level job that students get upon graduation.
Regarding skills, mobile phlebotomists must be organized, cleanly, timely, and detail-oriented. They must possess the proper equipment on hand at all times and ensure that everything is sanitized and disposed of responsibly to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other needle-borne diseases. They are also responsible for correctly labeling and storing all blood samples and giving them to the lab in an efficient manner.
What are the Benefits of Being a Mobile Phlebotomist?
The primary benefit of mobile phlebotomy is the ability to travel. This component grants great flexibility; instead of an 8-hour shift in a clinic, traveling phlebotomists can select their days and hours to accommodate their schedules. With such flexibility, mobile phlebotomists have the opportunity to network and collaborate with hospitals across the nation.
Another advantage of this field is the constant job security. The training for mobile phlebotomy does not take long to complete – roughly six months to a year – and it allows individuals who want to work in the medical field to do so more affordably.
How to Become a Traveling Phlebotomist
In order to get hired for traveling phlebotomy jobs, people need to get experience and learn phlebotomy techniques. Most people attend an accredited phlebotomy school, such as PhlebotomyU, to gain these necessary assets and set themselves apart from other candidates. After, they must pass the national exam. The most common credentialing organization to certify phlebotomists is the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Additional licenses will vary by state. For instance, California requires the national certificate and the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1) license. With the appropriate authorizations, people can then begin to research careers and network with future employers.
PhlebotomyU CPT-1 Course
At PhlebotomyU, we offer a CPT-1 course that provides students with the opportunities to gain practical work experience. With our unique 40-120 hour externship program, our students experience a smooth transition into traveling phlebotomy jobs.
To learn more about traveling phlebotomy and our CPT-1 program, contact us today. Interested in applying for a mobile phlebotomist job today? Check out our career resources page.
