Phlebotomy technicians are critical team members in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and blood donor centers. As new types of tests are developed and laboratory tech positions grow, it's an especially exciting time to begin a career in this thriving field. Some tasks phlebotomy technicians may perform include:

• Drawing blood from patients and blood donors

• Evaluating patients' ability to withstand the procedure and helping them feel comfortable

• Explaining blood-drawing procedure to patients and answering questions

• Performing basic point-of-care testing, such as reading blood glucose levels

• Preparing blood, urine and other specimens for testing

• Maintaining medical equipment such as needles, test tubes and blood vials