Myth: The phlebotomist / blood sample collector performs the lab test

Myth: The phlebotomist i.e. the person who collects the blood and other samples, performs the lab test

Truth: On average a phlebotomist in a busy collection centre will have just six minutes to welcome a patient, take their sample, explain the aftercare procedures and prepare for their next patient. But this doesn’t stop many visitors to a collection centre from assuming that the collector taking their blood is able to nip into a back room and carry out the (often multiple) tests ordered by their doctor.

The job of a phlebotomist is ensure proper collection of the various samples required for a particular test. This is distinct from the training that a lab technician and a pathologist who will actually perform the test, will undergo. Pathologists require up to 13 years of tertiary education, and the lab teshnician from 1 - 4 years, to qualify in the profession.

In reality those samples taken by the collector will be sent to the processing laboratory where pathologists and technicians will perform the tests.