A phlebotomist is a member of the health care delivery team whose primary responsibility is that of collecting blood specimens from patients. These specimens are used for clinical laboratory analysis and thereby provide physicians with vital information used in making diagnoses, following progress, and treating patients. Phlebotomists are in great demand for employment in hospitals, physicians' offices or clinics, or by commercial reference laboratories. Phlebotomists must be able to collect blood competently, safely, and in a professional manner.