One of the key CV challenges faced by phlebotomists is effectively showcasing their technical skills and experience in blood collection in a manner that stands out to potential employers. Our guide offers targeted advice and examples on how to concisely articulate these competencies, ensuring your application captures the attention of healthcare recruiters.
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche phlebotomist role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
How complex should the format of your phlebotomist CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your phlebotomist CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
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Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a phlebotomist CV
- Personal Information reveals essential contact details.
- Professional Summary showcases relevant experience.
- Certifications and Licences confirm required qualifications.
- Phlebotomy Experience outlines specific job expertise.
- Skills Section highlights pertinent abilities and traits.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your hands-on experience in blood collection techniques and patient interaction, as these are key responsibilities of a phlebotomist.
- Detail your understanding of safety protocols and infection control procedures, which are critical for ensuring the health and safety of patients and staff.
- Include any certifications or training courses you have completed, such as a certification in phlebotomy or a CPR course, as these are typically required for the role.
- Emphasise your ability to accurately label and manage blood specimens, as this is essential for the correct processing and analysis of samples.
- Describe your skills in maintaining patient records and using computer systems for data entry, which are important for tracking test results and updating patient information.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning phlebotomist CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for phlebotomist:
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Venipuncture Expert | 5 Years Experience | Patient Care Specialist
- Senior Phlebotomist | Lead of Inpatient Services | Haematology Focus | BTEC Qualified
- Phlebotomy Supervisor | NHS Clinic Expertise | Staff Training & Development | 8+ Years Experience
- Specialist Phlebotomist | Paediatric and Geriatric Proficiency | Blood Collection Innovator | NVQ Level 3
- Experienced Phlebotomy Practitioner | Quality Assurance | Infection Control Champion | 10 Years Dedicated Service
- Mobile Phlebotomy Team Lead | Home Visit Expert | Clinical Trial Support | Advanced Phlebotomy Certificate
Your phlebotomist CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
phlebotomist candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you phlebotomist CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a phlebotomist job:
Best practices for writing your phlebotomist CV experience section
If your profile matches the job requirements, the CV experience is the section which recruiters will spend the most time studying. Within your experience bullets, include not merely your career history, but, rather, your skills and outcomes from each individual role. Your best experience section should promote your profile by:
- including specific details and hard numbers as proof of your past success;
- listing your experience in the functional-based or hybrid format (by focusing on the skills), if you happen to have less professional, relevant expertise;
- showcasing your growth by organising your roles, starting with the latest and (hopefully) most senior one;
- staring off each experience bullet with a verb, following up with skills that match the job description, and the outcomes of your responsibility.
Add keywords from the job advert in your experience section, like the professional CV examples:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Expertly collected blood samples using venepuncture and capillary puncture techniques, ensuring patient comfort and adherence to sterile procedures.
- Maintained high-quality standards by accurately labelling and processing blood specimens in compliance with laboratory protocols and infection control guidelines.
- Worked collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to prioritise workload and manage patient flow efficiently in a high-volume clinical setting.
- Implemented patient identification checks rigorously to eliminate errors and enhance the reliability of test results and patient safety.
- Managed inventory and supplies for the phlebotomy department, effectively reducing waste and controlling costs whilst ensuring availability of essential equipment.
- Continuously updated knowledge on phlebotomy best practices and new techniques through professional development opportunities and training sessions.
- Demonstrated empathy and strong interpersonal skills by providing emotional support to patients, particularly those who were anxious about blood draws.
- Utilised electronic health records (EHR) systems to document patient interactions, sample collection details, and related administrative tasks with accuracy.
- Participated in quality assurance programmes, regularly reviewing and refining phlebotomy procedures to uphold the highest standards of patient care and data integrity.
- Supervised a team of 8 phlebotomists at a high-volume hospital, consistently achieving a patient satisfaction score of 95%.
- Implemented a new electronic health record system, reducing paperwork by 30% and improving patient wait times by 15%.
- Led the in-house training program for all new phlebotomists, ensuring compliance with the latest industry standards and practices.
- Coordinated mobile blood drives that collected over 10,000 units of blood, significantly contributing to the regional blood supply.
- Pioneered a needle-stick injury reduction program, which led to a 40% decrease in workplace incidents over a year.
- Facilitated a partnership with local schools to inform students about careers in phlebotomy, enhancing community engagement.
- Consistently exceeded daily target metrics by collecting over 50 blood specimens per day while maintaining highest quality standards.
- Participated in the research and development of new phlebotomy techniques that increased efficiency by 20%.
- Represented the phlebotomy department in cross-functional meetings, advocating for patient comfort and improved collection processes.
- Restructured the sample processing workflow, which increased the throughput by 25% without compromising the sample integrity.
- Contributed to a 10% reduction in patient anxiety by developing better communication techniques during sample collection.
- Assisted in a clinical study that evaluated the effects of collection methods on blood sample quality, providing vital data for process improvements.
- Achieved a personal record of 100% accuracy in specimen labeling over a 12-month period, leading to a decrease in re-collects.
- Engaged in ongoing educational seminars to keep up-to-date with the latest phlebotomy techniques, ensuring state-of-the-art patient care.
- Managed inventory supplies resulting in a 20% reduction of waste through more effective stock rotation and ordering protocols.
- Served as a primary phlebotomist for homebound patients, ensuring accurate and compassionate care for over 150 patients monthly.
- Collaborated with logistics teams to optimize routes for mobile blood collections, achieving a 10% cut in transportation costs.
- Introduced a successful patient follow-up system that increased patient retention rates by 15%, strengthening customer loyalty.
- Oversaw the transition to a new digital specimen tracking system, ensuring a seamless changeover with zero downtime for the department.
- Directed quality control initiatives that resulted in exceeding accreditation standards with a compliance rate of 98%.
- Forged a collaboration with the IT department to enhance the specimen barcoding process, improving identification accuracy by 22%.
- Performed over 20 venipunctures per day with a patient satisfaction rate of 90%, while upholding privacy and comfort.
- Actively participated in community health fairs, providing phlebotomy services and raising awareness on the importance of blood donation.
- Adeptly managed blood specimen processing during a state health crisis, playing a key role in the timely diagnosis of patients.
- Excelled in collecting and processing over 5,000 blood specimens during tenure with a focus on pediatric and elderly care.
- Implemented an improved customer service approach that resulted in a 10% increase in positive feedback from patients.
- Contributed to a unit-wide initiative to enhance vein visualization technology, boosting successful first-attempt draws by 18%.
- Specialized in difficult draws, successfully obtaining specimens from challenging patients with minimal discomfort and repeat attempts.
- Led a team that contributed to research in the use of butterfly needles, which improved the phlebotomy success rate in oncology patients.
- Developed a mentorship program for novice phlebotomists, enhancing team skills and reducing turnover by 15% within a year.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Key phlebotomist CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your phlebotomist CV:
Venipuncture
Capillary Puncture
Blood Collection and Handling Safety
Patient Identification and Verification
Specimen Processing
Medical Record Keeping
Anatomy and Physiology Knowledge
Infection Control Procedures
Equipment Sterilisation
Laboratory Information Systems
Communication
Empathy
Attention to Detail
Professionalism
Time Management
Customer Service
Teamwork
Adaptability
Problem-Solving
Stress Management
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Listing your university education and certificates on your phlebotomist CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Write your professional phlebotomist CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
