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E-book created by:

Phlebotomy Training Grouphttp://phlebotomytraininggroup.com

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Disclaimers – Legal Notifications

Copyright © 2012 by Phlebotomy Training Group. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 or the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without prior written

permission of the author and publisher.

While the author and publisher have used their best efforts in preparing this eBook, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this eBook and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The tips and advice mentioned in this e-book are NOT guaranteed to increase the chances of getting hired as

a phlebotomist.

The information and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You may wish to consult with a professional where appropriate. This eBook is strictly for information and entertainment

purposes only. Neither the author nor publisher shall be liable for any loss or profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Your Usage Rights.

You do NOT have any resell / reprint / distribution rights to this e-book.

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Table of Contents

Part 1: Phlebotomist ResumeResume Writing (Heading, Employment Objective and Format) .......................................... 4Resume Sample .......................................................................................................... 5Formatting Tips and Resume Screening Software ............................................................. 6

Part 2: Interview Tips for PhlebotomistsIntroduction – Where to Find Employment Opportunities .................................................. 7Scheduling an Interview & Phone Etiquette Skills ............................................................. 8Attending an Interview – Interviewing Skills and Techniques ........................................ 9-10Common Interview Questions and Answers .............................................................. 11-13

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Part 1: Phlebotomist Resume

Your resume should highlight your skills, experience, and education in the phlebotomy field. It is also important to create a phlebotomist resume that contains specific keywords, as some employers use screening software to narrow down a pool of applicants.

Use these tips and the sample phlebotomist resume below to create your own professional document.

Resume HeadingThe very first section of your resume should include your contact information. At minimum, put your first and last name, address, and telephone number at the top of the page. If you have an e-mail address, include it below your telephone number. Some recruiters use e-mail to send information about electronic applications, so having a professional e-mail address is important. Avoid using a personal e-mail address like “pookybear18@ymail.com” for your resume. Something like “jane.smith@ymail.com” is much more professional.

Employment ObjectiveThe objective section of the resume is optional, but it helps potential employers determine if you are a good fit for their organizations. An example of a good employment objective for a phlebotomist resume would be as follows: “To obtain a challenging position as a phlebotomy technician and use my knowledge and skills to serve patients.”

Phlebotomist Resume FormatThe format you use for your resume will depend on your level of education and work experience. If you have a lot of work experience, but you have not completed a formal training program, you should put your work experience at the top of the resume. If you have completed a phlebotomy training program, but you have little or no work experience, put your education at the top of the resume.

In the education section, list the name of the school you attended, the dates you attended, and the diploma, certificate, or degree you received. If you received any relevant awards, include them in this section. The work experience section should include the name of each past employer, the dates you were employed, the job titles you held, and the duties you performed at each job. Do not include irrelevant information in this section. Focus on experience specific to phlebotomy.

CertificationsIf you successfully passed a phlebotomy certification exam, list the certification in a separate section of your resume. Do not include your exam score unless you achieved a near-perfect or perfect score.

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Sample Phlebotomist Resume

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Formatting TipsYour resume should be typed on white or off-white paper. Use a font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman, Arial or Verdana. Use bulleted lists to break up the text and make your resume easier to read. Even if you have extensive work experience, your resume should be no more than two typed pages long. Omitting irrelevant information can help you shorten your resume if necessary. If you are mailing your resume to a potential employer, fold it in thirds before placing it in the envelope.

Resume Screening SoftwareSome recruiters use certain keywords to screen resumes and select the best potential candidates for a phlebotomy job opening. If the selected keywords do not appear in your resume, you may not be selected for a job interview. Instead of stuffing your resume with keywords, use them naturally within the text. Words such as phlebotomist, phlebotomy technician, specimen handling, and specimen processing could be used naturally in the sections covering work experience and education. “Certified phlebotomist” or “PBT(ASCP)” should be included in the section addressing your professional certifications. If you do not have a phlebotomy certification, do not include these keywords in your resume.

They may get picked up by the screening software, but a recruiter will review your resume and realize that you do not meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

The most important step in creating a phlebotomist resume is following the instructions provided by the recruiter. Always include requested information and follow the format described in the job posting. This will improve your chances of being contacted for a job interview.

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Part 2: Interview Tips for Phlebotomists

IntroductionNow that you have completed your studies and graduated with a diploma or an honorable associate’s degree in the field of phlebotomy, you are officially a phlebotomy technician.

Due to the extensive courses you have taken and the skills you have learned, you are more than qualified to provide proper phlebotomy care. Now is the time to gather all that you have learned and the skills you have acquired, in order to apply such knowledge to real-world situations.

This is the time to increase your level of confidence and use your professionalism to seek job opportunities as a phlebotomy technician. During the planning stages of looking for such an opportunity, it is priority to prepare a good resume.

A good resume should be a winning resume, as it should highlight your skills, education and professional experience. Each highlight should be relevant to the position in which you are seeking: Phlebotomy technician. If you are a recent graduate from a phlebotomy school or program with no professional work experience, it is important to highlight experience gained from your externship. Such a resume would help to open the doors of opportunity. Once a good, winning resume is created, common interview questions should be prepared and rehearsed prior to and immediately after scheduling an interview.

Where to Find Employment OpportunitiesDuring the job hunting process, there are many places to search in hope of finding employment as a phlebotomy technician. If you view the classified section of newspapers, online or in print, there are tons of job openings listed. Of the many ads that are there, you are sure to find job openings for phlebotomy technicians. Other places to search include online job sites such as Indeed.com, Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com.

These job sites are flooded with employment opportunities, as hundreds of new jobs are posted daily. Once you have scanned through all the postings and have found opportunities that interest you, the next step is to schedule an interview.

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Scheduling an InterviewWhile speaking with potential employers on the phone in hopes of obtaining an interview, effective communication is priority. During this process, it is important to put your best foot forward, as first impressions are lasting impressions. Although communication by phone is not face-to-face, communication at this stage is equally important, as it could lead to an interview for the desired position as a phlebotomy technician. Making use of correct grammar, while speaking slowly and clearly, are effective ways to communicate.

It is always recommended to have an air of confidence, as this will show through your speech. Such characteristic will send a positive message to the potential employer and lead him or her to believe that your job qualities are outstanding. This unspoken message should surely get you to the interview table. A bullet list concerning phone etiquette is noted below. Use this reference often to master such skills.

Phone Etiquette Skills – Scheduling an Interview

• Speak slowly and clearly: You want to make sure your words are heard and understood.

• Use proper grammar: You want to make sure your message is clearly understood. • Be professional: Do not eat or drink while speaking on the phone. • Speak confidently: Speak with a positive attitude and self-assurance; this

message will be well-received. • Speak in a quiet environment: Schedule an interview in an environment that is

free of background noise and speak in low traffic areas. • Avoid interruptions: Allow a potential interviewer to complete a statement or

question before commenting or responding. • Use clarification: Once an interview is scheduled, repeat important information

such as the date, time and place of the interview; this will help to avoid the possibility of miscommunication.

• Obtain important information: It is important to obtain the interviewer’s first and last name in addition to the correct spelling and pronunciation. This will help to eliminate embarrassing moments of misspelling the interviewer’s name on an application or mispronouncing his or her name during the greeting process.

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Attending an InterviewOnce you have succeeded in impressing the potential interviewer via phone, it is now time to make a favorable impression face-to-face. While attending an interview, it is always in your best interest to put your best foot forward. Although this is equally true when scheduling an interview, there are some differences.

During a face-to-face interview, the interviewer or potential employer sees the entire package. At this point, he or she makes the connection between your communication skills and a physical picture of who you are. Your communication skills are now placed with an identifiable image. As such, this allows an interviewer to quickly assess who you are and determine if you are the right person for the job.

In order to send a positive message, it is important to dress appropriately, act confidently and maintain a level of professionalism at all times. By doing so, this sends a message to the potential employer that you are deeply interested in obtaining a position within his or her company or organization. A bullet list concerning the skills and techniques necessary to have a successful interview is referenced below. Use this reference often and master the topics noted.

Interviewing Skills and Techniques to Help Land the Job

• Sell yourself: If you are shy, this is not the time to possess such characteristic. If you are a person with confidence, use this to your advantage. Speak highly of the skills you have acquired throughout your phlebotomy training. Tell of your experience during your externship and impress the interviewer with examples of your venipuncture skills. Sound enthusiastic concerning your role as a future phlebotomist with the interviewing company.

• Dress appropriately: No hats, caps, sneakers, jeans or excessive jewelery. Certain hats, however, may be worn due to religious references.

• Arrive early: This allows time to mentally and physically prepare yourself for the interview, if applicable. This also allows time to complete an application or list references prior to the scheduled appointment.

• Make eye contact: Making eye contact sends a message of confidence. This air of confidence lends itself to credibility; this is important in every interview.

• Show recognition: Greet the interviewer by last name. This shows a level of respect and acknowledgment concerning the position held by the interviewer. Everyone loves to be respected and acknowledged.

• Provide complete answers: Answer all questions thoroughly; do not leave room for assumptions. Give the exact information you want the interviewer to know.

• Research: It is always important to do a little research concerning the company with which you will have an interview. The knowledge gained will allow you to ask questions relevant to the company. Your ability to ask questions concerning a company’s history will show your interest in the company and the position of phlebotomy technician.

• Be exactly who you are: Show your true personality, if appropriate. Smile, speak positively, be grateful and assertive. Walk, talk and act with a disposition of confidence. Such characteristic provides an insight concerning your future role as a phlebotomy technician.

• Present an outstanding resume: The information on your resume provides an

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insight to your quality and skills. The style of the resume and quality of paper used will provide an insight concerning who you are as a person.

Now that you have received a list to master the skills necessary for phone etiquette and a list of skills needed to land the job, it is now necessary to familiarize yourself with interview questions. As you seek phlebotomy jobs, it would be to your advantage to know some of the common questions asked during an interview. Knowing such questions beforehand will allow you the opportunity to review them and prepare proper responses.

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Common Phlebotomist Interview Questions with Answers

1. How did you become interested in phlebotomy?As a young child, I have always had an interest in healthcare. As I have attended many medical appointments in the past, I have always been fascinated with the medical terms used by phlebotomy technicians and the use of phlebotomy equipment. I was always amazed to see how phlebotomists performed venipuncture procedures. I have always had the desire to become a phlebotomist.

2. Are you comfortable with venipuncture procedures?I am extremely comfortable with venipuncture procedures. During my phlebotomy courses, I received extensive training concerning the collection of blood. My training involved step-by-step instructions ranging from where and how to tie a tourniquet, to choosing the correct needle type and size in addition to finding the perfect vein. Additionally, the in-class training and real-life experience I received from my externship allows me to be extremely comfortable with the collection of blood.

3. How much phlebotomy experience do you have?

My phlebotomy experience extends from the three month training I received from my phlebotomy courses and my 40 hours of training during my externship. Additional experience comes from the 3 month volunteer work I provided for various hospitals and outpatient draw sites.

4. Why should I hire you as a phlebotomist?

By hiring me as a phlebotomy technician, I will be an asset to your healthcare staff. Once hired, I will bring my knowledge of the venipuncture process and experience of working with various populations. My skills of working with people will bring repeat patients who expect to receive high-quality healthcare.

5. What qualities would you bring to the job?

As a certified, skilled phlebotomist, one of the most important qualities I will bring to the job is professionalism. I will treat all colleagues and patients with the respect they deserve. Patients will receive quality healthcare regardless of their nationality or economic status. I will treat each patient as a person by engaging in small conversation to provide a feeling of relaxation throughout the blood collection process.

6. How would you identify a patient?

As a professional phlebotomist, it is my responsibility to correctly identify patients at all times. This will help to eliminate any errors and the possibility of malpractice, due to the delivery of healthcare to the wrong patient. To correctly identify a patent, I will ask for critical information concerning the patient’s full name, date of birth and address. The provided information will be compared to the healthcare records o file.

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7. What would be the best part of the job?The best part of being a phlebotomist would be doing what I love best: Providing quality healthcare and assisting patients when possible. The service all patients deserve.

8. What would be the worst part of the job?

As a phlebotomist, the worst part of my job would be the inability to make patients feel comfortable. As a healthcare professional, it would be my responsibility to gain the trust of my patients.

9. How would you describe a typical day as a phlebotomist?

A typical day as a phlebotomist include gathering patient files and organizing work stations. When a patient arrives, I will introduce myself and ask questions concerning the patient’s first and last name, date of birth and address. This information will be used to compare the information on file. Before blood is withdrawn, non-sterile gloves will used to open an alcohol pad, a band-aid and a sterile gauze. The necessary phlebotomy equipment will be displayed. Once the patient is asked which arm is preferable for the process, I will inform the patient of each step and prepare him or her for the actual withdrawal of blood. A tourniquet will be applied to the patient, palpation of the veins will take place and the site to be injected will be sterilized. Once the blood is collected in the vacutainer , the sample will sent to the lab for various tests.

10. How do you find a vein?Once a tourniquet is tied, I would use the palpation method to find a suitable vein.

11. What if you have difficulty finding a vein?If I have difficulty finding a median cubital vein, I would check the cephalic vein. If difficulty persists, after checking both arms, I would palpate the dorsal vein for withdrawal. Withdrawing blood from the hand would be the last resort.

12. What would you do if you saw an unpleasant interaction between a colleague and a patient?

If I observed an unpleasant interaction between a colleague and a patient, I would pleasantly ask my colleague if he or she needed assistance. Hopefully my presence and assistance would turn a negative experience into a positive one.

13. Why do you want to work here?

I have chosen to work here because my research indicates high-quality care performed at this facility. I would like to work among the best in the field of phlebotomy.

14. Do you have a problem working with the young or elderly?I do not have a problem working with either population. My phlebotomy training and experience provides me with the skills and patience to work with all populations.

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15. How would you describe yourself?I am a pleasant individual with an out-going personality. I am reliable, professional and dedicated.

Seeking a position as a phlebotomy technician involves great preparation. Mastering the skills of phone etiquette and the skills necessary to land a job are critical in the preparation process. Once these skills are mastered, you are sure to land the job of your dreams and make use of your phlebotomy diploma / degree.