Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

Working Life

Phlebotomists collect blood samples from patients in clinics and hospitals. These blood samples are used by medical staff to diagnose and treat illnesses so it is imperative that each sample is handled with the utmost care. The sample must be collected, labeled and transported hygienically and safely to ensure that no contamination is possible.  
 
The phlebotomist is responsible for ensuring that the sample arrives at the right laboratory in the required time.  
 
Depending on the work load the job may be combined with other, more general, MLA duties.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
• Organise or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
• Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
• Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
• Dispose of blood or other biohasard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
• Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
• Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
• Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical professionals.
• Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis.
• Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.

Further Information

• Phlebotomist- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

To work as an entry grade Phlebotomist, you will require registration with CORU as a healthcare professional. Normally via nursing or allied healthcare courses at NFQ level 5-6 in Further Education and Training, or NFQ levels 6-8 in Higher Education Institutions.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: healthcare support.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: healthcare assistant, nursing studies, healthcare support, nursing, midwifery studies, pre-nursing, veterinary nursing, healthcare support.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Healthcare.

Search for Apprenticeships

HSE Criterion: hold a qualification in Phlebotomy on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) at Level 6 or higher

or

Hold the Certificate in Phlebotomy from TUD/DCU/National Ambulance Service College or equivalent Phlebotomy qualification

OR

Be registered as a Nurse or Midwife on the active register maintained by an Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be entitled to be so registered. OR (iv) Be currently employed as a Phlebotomist with a minimum of two years’ experience in an acute Hospital (general or Specialist).

Nurse/Midwife Phlebotomists must maintain live annual registration in the general division of the Nurses & Midwives Register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland [NMBI] (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann). AND (ii) Nurse/Midwife Phlebotomists must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

Senior Grade Phlebotomist

Hold a qualification in Phlebotomy on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) at Level 6 or higher and have a minimum of three years full-time or an aggregate of three years full-time current and relevant experience as a phlebotomist.

OR

(ii) Hold the Certificate in Phlebotomy from DIT/DCU/National Ambulance Service College or equivalent Phlebotomy qualification and have a minimum of three years full-time or an aggregate of three years full-time current and relevant experience as a phlebotomist

OR

(iii) Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the active register maintained by an Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be entitled to be so registered and have a minimum of three years full-time or an aggregate of three years full-time current and relevant experience as a phlebotomist.

OR (iv) Effective to 30th April 2022; be currently employed as a Phlebotomist without satisfying (i), (ii) or (iii) above in an acute Hospital (general or Specialist) and have a minimum of three years full-time or an aggregate of three years full-time current and relevant experience as a Phlebotomist. 

Phlebotomist Association of Ireland

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €51k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Paramedics; pharmaceutical technicians; medical and dental technicians; dental hygienists; Health associate professionals n.e.c.; Dental nurses.  

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was strong for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022. Census data shows that employment grew across all roles in this group between 2016 and 2022, with the strongest growth for pharmaceutical technicans.

The number of online job adverts for pharmaceutical technicians grew strongly in 2022 (+14%); skills in demand included, among others pharmaceutical knowledge, the ability to provide customer service & advice, and business skills, such as product sales.

A small number of employment permits were issued in 2022 for cardiac physiologists and paramedics. The available data sources do not signal any issues in relation to supply and demand for health associate professional occupations; however, if employment was to continue to increase, recruitment issues may emerge.

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here

• Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA)

  • 5th Floor Liberty Hall, Dublin 1
  • (01) 858 6472
  • Click Here

• National Association of Phlebotomists

  • 12 Coldbath Square, London EC1R 5HL, UK
  • + 44 20 7833 8784
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here