{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:50:51.801Z","occupation":{"soc":"31-9097.00","title":"Phlebotomists","group":"Healthcare Support","sector":"62","jobZone":3,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers phlebotomy practice in clinical inpatient, outpatient, and laboratory settings including specimen collection, processing, disposal, regulatory compliance, patient communication, and departmental leadership across all career stages.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Contaminated sharps disposal — follow established protocols under direct supervision to ensure compliance with applicable laws and facility policies in a clinical laboratory or outpatient draw station.","Blood-drawing tray setup — organize and inspect trays for sterility and first-use needles and syringes under the guidance of a senior phlebotomist in a healthcare setting.","Venipuncture technique — perform basic vacuum tube blood draws under direct supervision on cooperative adult patients in a hospital or clinic environment.","Laboratory requisition forms — match printed or electronic requisition forms to correctly labeled specimen tubes under supervisor review in a processing area.","Biohazard fluid disposal — dispose of blood and other biohazardous materials following facility protocols and applicable regulations under direct oversight in a clinical setting.","Patient identification — verify two patient identifiers before specimen collection using established facility procedures in an inpatient or outpatient draw environment.","Standard phlebotomy equipment — identify and handle needles, syringes, and butterfly sets correctly under direct supervision on a healthcare unit.","Medical terminology — recognize common laboratory test names and abbreviations when reading requisition forms in a clinical laboratory context.","Specimen labeling — apply accurate patient and collection-time labels to specimen tubes immediately after collection under guidance in a draw station.","Infection control basics — apply standard precautions including hand hygiene and personal protective equipment under direct supervision during all specimen collection activities."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Sharps disposal compliance — consistently manage and document contaminated sharps disposal in accordance with OSHA regulations and facility policy with minimal oversight in a high-volume phlebotomy setting.","Tray and instrument maintenance — independently organize, restock, and verify sterility of blood-drawing trays at the start and end of each shift in a busy outpatient laboratory.","Multi-method venipuncture — perform vacuum tube, syringe, and butterfly venipuncture methods on a range of patient populations with reduced supervision in inpatient and outpatient environments.","Requisition-to-tube matching — accurately reconcile laboratory requisition forms to the correct specimen tubes and verify test codes before specimen transport with routine efficiency.","Standard laboratory tests — conduct routine tests including blood glucose screening, blood smears, and blood alcohol collections following established protocols in a clinical laboratory.","Timed specimen collection — collect specimens at prescribed intervals for therapeutic drug monitoring and glucose tolerance tests, adjusting scheduling as needed in a fast-paced clinical environment.","Specimen processing — centrifuge, aliquot, and prepare blood and fluid samples for downstream analysis by laboratory professionals with limited direction in a processing laboratory.","Patient communication — explain collection procedures clearly to anxious or pediatric patients using active listening and plain language in a patient-facing draw center.","Electronic health records — enter and retrieve specimen data accurately using medical software and office suite applications in an integrated healthcare system.","Time management — prioritize multiple concurrent draw orders and timed collections to meet turnaround time targets independently in a high-demand clinical setting."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Complex venipuncture scenarios — perform successful blood draws on difficult-access patients, including elderly, pediatric, and oncology populations, autonomously and with minimal patient discomfort in acute care settings.","Biohazard compliance leadership — audit disposal practices for blood and biohazardous materials across the team and recommend corrective actions to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance in a multi-site facility.","Advanced specimen collection — independently conduct blood cultures, peak-and-trough drug level draws, and oral glucose tolerance tests while managing strict timing requirements in a hospital laboratory.","Quality control of specimens — evaluate specimen integrity, identify hemolysis, clotting, or labeling errors, and initiate recollection procedures with clinical judgment in a laboratory environment.","Requisition reconciliation — resolve discrepancies between electronic orders and physical specimens by coordinating with nursing and laboratory staff autonomously in a complex health system.","Tray and supply oversight — manage inventory levels, evaluate vendor supplies for quality compliance, and maintain sterile technique standards across an entire phlebotomy department.","Cross-functional coordination — collaborate with nursing, pathology, and medical staff to ensure seamless specimen workflow and timely result delivery in an integrated hospital setting.","Patient safety monitoring — recognize and respond to adverse reactions such as syncope or hematoma formation during or after collection, applying appropriate first-aid protocols independently.","Documentation and reporting — produce accurate written reports of collection incidents, near-misses, and quality deviations using electronic health record and spreadsheet software in a compliance-driven environment.","Regulatory knowledge application — interpret and apply updated CLSI standards, OSHA guidelines, and facility accreditation requirements to daily phlebotomy practice without supervisory direction."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Departmental standards development — design and implement phlebotomy protocols, disposal policies, and quality assurance frameworks aligned with regulatory requirements across an entire healthcare organization.","Staff training and mentorship — develop and deliver competency-based training curricula for emerging and developing phlebotomists, using instructional best practices in classroom and clinical environments.","Performance metrics leadership — establish key performance indicators for specimen quality, turnaround time, and patient satisfaction, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across a multi-site laboratory network.","Regulatory compliance strategy — lead organizational preparation for accreditation inspections by CAP, TJC, or OSHA, ensuring all phlebotomy practices meet or exceed current standards.","Technology integration — evaluate, implement, and champion medical software, scheduling platforms, and electronic health record systems to optimize phlebotomy operations across a health system.","Workforce planning — assess staffing needs, recruit qualified candidates, and design scheduling models to ensure adequate coverage and maintain service quality in a high-volume clinical environment.","Cross-departmental policy influence — partner with laboratory directors, nursing leadership, and risk management to align specimen collection policies with patient safety and operational goals at an executive level.","Competency assessment program — design and administer formal competency evaluation tools for phlebotomy staff, ensuring ongoing proficiency and professional development within the department.","Budget and resource management — oversee procurement of phlebotomy supplies, negotiate vendor contracts, and manage departmental budgets to balance cost efficiency with quality and compliance.","Organizational culture of safety — champion a culture of attention to detail, integrity, and cautiousness by modeling exemplary practice and establishing accountability systems across the phlebotomy workforce."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}