Phlebotomists work in blood banks and assist with a range of tasks associated with the collection of donated blood.

Greet donors; records donors' personal details, including their weight, age, blood type and contact details; explains the procedure to donors and checks their personal details; takes a finger-prick test to check the donor's haemoglobin (red blood cells) and ensure that iron levels in the blood are normal; takes blood from donors; informs donors of emergency medical contacts for potential side-effects of donating blood; cares for donors who may be feeling dizzy or have another adverse reaction; provides refreshments for donors, and ensures they absorb enough sugar back into their system; maintains machinery and orders supplies; advertises blood collection days; drives a blood bank collection vehicle; gives speeches about donating blood.

• Blood bank aides usually work in hospital laboratories or community medical laboratories, where conditions are clean and sterile in the clinical environment.
• They may have to travel locally to collect samples from doctors' surgeries, hospitals, rest homes, patients' homes and workplaces.

• Sedentary to light physical demand levels.
• Stands and walks frequently around the clinic.
• There is an occasional requirement for lifting within a light physical demand range.
• Repetitive hand and arm movements are required on an occasional basis (for example entering data).
• There is occasional use of office machines, including telephones, faxes, computers and printers.
• Bending, twisting and reaching is not a significant component of the job.
• Frequent contact with body fluid will necessitate the use of protective clothing and gloves and adherence to safety procedures.
• There will be frequent use of medical equipment and materials including medical instruments, blood pressure and temperature taking equipment and sterilising equipment. Use of hand-held objects and equipment such as pens and telephones will be occasional to frequent. Workers may also need to operate computers.
• Mental skills necessary include knowledge of the anatomy of the arm and blood-taking techniques, knowledge of safety and hygiene processes, organisational skills, and communication skills including listening skills and general people skills.

A relevant NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.