---
title: Learning Phlebotomy Equipment
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/phlebotomy-equipment/"
type: post
date_published: 2024-04-29
date_modified: 2026-01-27
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 2034
reading_time: 11 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/phlebotomy-equipment/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Medical-Assistant-Equipment.jpg"
categories:
  - AZC Healthcare Programs
topic:
  - Phlebotomy
---

# Learning Phlebotomy Equipment

## What equipment does a phlebotomist use?

When beginning your
[Phlebotomy training](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/medical-assisting/)
, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the wide range of equipment you may
use on a day-to-day basis. At a minimum, the phlebotomy equipment required when
drawing blood includes gloves, alcohol or iodine to cleanse the area, a
tourniquet, blood tubes, a tube holder, needles, tape, and gauze.

While the process of drawing blood is similar for each phlebotomist, the
equipment the phlebotomist chooses to use may differ depending on the patient’s
size and venous access. It is crucial for the phlebotomist to understand the
various types of supplies available in order to choose the most appropriate type
of needle, disinfectant, blood collection device, blood tubes, and dressing for
each patient they encounter.

![Phlebotomy Training Infographic](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Phlebotomy-Training-Infographic-1.jpg)

A phlebotomist should be knowledgeable of the wide range of needles, tubes, etc.
they will encounter in the field. They should also understand the tools
available to support them as they do their job.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the various types of phlebotomy supplies that a
phlebotomist may use when performing a blood draw.

## Phlebotomy Supplies:

### 1\. Phlebotomy Chair

After arrival for a blood draw, the patient usually sits in a phlebotomy chair.
These chairs are designed with adjustable arm rests that allow the phlebotomist
to easily access the patient’s arms.

### 2\. Supplies for Locating a Vein

There are many kinds of phlebotomy equipment available that help the
phlebotomist locate a vein to obtain a blood sample:

- **Tourniquet**  – This rubber-band-like device is used to occlude venous blood
  flow and help phlebotomists discover the vein. After applying the tourniquet,
  the phlebotomist will use their fingers to locate a vein. The vein will feel
  bouncy under the pressure of the finger. The tourniquet is used for almost
  every patient.
- **Hot Pack** – Phlebotomists often use instant warm packs on the patient’s arm
  or heel to encourage venous dilation, which makes the veins more exposed. This
  makes it easier to find a vein for patients with more difficult veins.
- **Vein Finder** – This electronic device utilizes light to locate veins. This
  is helpful when a phlebotomist has difficulty locating a vein.

### 󠀁**⏎  3\. Skin Disinfectant

There are different disinfectants used to clean the skin before a needle
puncture.

- **Alcohol Swabs** – Small squares of alcohol-soaked gauze that are used to
  disinfect skin.
- **Chloraprep** – A different type of disinfectant that contains chlorohexidine
  and carries antiseptic properties. Chloraprep is most often used before
  obtaining blood cultures.
- **Iodine** – Another type of skin cleanser with antibacterial properties.

### 󠀁**⏎  4\. Needle

The needle is used to puncture the skin and enter the vein. There are different
types of needles used by phlebotomists. Each type of needle comes in various
gauge sizes. The phlebotomist must determine the best needle type and size
depending on the type of blood draw required.

- **Butterfly Needles** – Also sometimes referred to as a winged infusion set,
  these are small needles with wings that come connected to flexible tubing. The
  end of the butterfly needle tubing can be connected to a vacutainer device.
- **BD Eclipse** – This is a multi-sample vacuum collection needle. The BD
  eclipse has a safety device attached and is used for venipuncture using the
  vacuum tube collection system.
- **Multi-Sample Blood Collection Needle** - This all-in-one device has two
  needles that are screwed into the holder. One needle is inserted into the vein
  while the vacuum blood collection tube is then inserted into the holder. The
  blood collection tube is punctured by the needle on the other end of the tool
  which allows for sample collection.
- **Lancet** – A small device that contains a very small needle. When the lancet
  is engaged, the needle quickly enters and exists the skin, resulting in a
  small amount of bleeding from the site. This device is used on heels and
  fingers, usually on people with small or fragile veins.

### 󠀁**⏎  5\. Blood Collection Device

These devices attach to the end of the selected needle to allow the phlebotomist
to draw blood back from the vein. This device allows blood to transfer from the
vein, through the needle, and into the blood collection tube.

- **Vacutainer System** – A plastic tube that attaches to the end of butterfly
  needles, the BD eclipse, or multi-sample blood collection needles. This
  plastic tube contains a rubber stopper that allows for accessing the
  vacutainer blood collection vials without using a needle.
- **Syringe** – Syringes are used to collect blood from patients with small or
  fragile veins instead of using the vacutainer system. The syringe is attached
  to the end of the selected needle tubing. After entering the vein with the
  needle, the phlebotomist will draw back blood with the syringe.
  _Using a syringe for blood collection requires an extra step: using a blood transfer device._

### 󠀁**⏎  6\. Transfer Devices

If blood is collected in a syringe, this device screws onto the syringe and
contains a mechanism that transfers the blood from the syringe into the blood
container tube. This protects phlebotomists from an accidental needle stick.

### 7\. Blood Collection Tubes

![Medical Assistant Equipment](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Medical-Assistant-Equipment.jpg)![Medical Assistant Equipment](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Medical-Assistant-Equipment.jpg)
Blood collection tubes are used to hold and transport the blood from the patient
to the laboratory. There is a certain order that phlebotomists draw these blood
samples to ensure each sample can be processed correctly by the laboratory.

- **Blood Culture Bottle** – Blood culture bottles are used to collect blood
  from patients suspected of septicemia or bacteremia. These bottles are often
  compatible with the vacutainer phlebotomy equipment.
- **Vacutainer Tubes** – Vacutainer tubes are used with vacuum container systems
  or with a blood transfer device. There are various types of containers that
  have different additives to allow for certain laboratory tests. A few examples
  of these tubes may include: _Purple_ – A blood collection tube containing EDTA
  which is an anticoagulant. It is used to obtain a complete blood count.
  _Green_ – A blood collection tube containing heparin which is an
  anticoagulant. It is used to obtain whole blood samples for analysis. _Gold_ –
  A blood collection tube containing clot activator and serum separator. It is
  commonly used for chemistry collections. _Blue_ – A blood collection tube
  containing sodium citrate. It is used for coagulation studies.
- **Microtainer ® Tube\\*** - Microtainer® tubes are tiny blood collection tubes
  that are used to collect blood from a skin puncture obtained by a lancet
  (usually via finger or heel). These are often used for those patients who are
  difficult draws. A “difficult draw” includes patients with fragile or
  difficult veins, such as: infants, small children, or elderly patients.
- **Microhematocrit Tube** – These small glass blood collection tubes are used
  for collecting blood from the capillary after using a lancet. They are often
  used to determine the percentage of red blood cells.

---

## Are you interested in a phlebotomy career?

Arizona College offers a Medical Assistant With Phlebotomy program that prepares
you for a career in less than eight months.

---

### 8\. Patient Label

After blood collection, a sticker is applied to the blood collection tube to
identify the patient it belongs to. The label should include the time, date, and
initial of the phlebotomist that collected it.

### 9\. Safety

Phlebotomist’s handle lots of blood and safety is very important. Certain
devices exist to avoid phlebotomist exposure to blood borne pathogens.
Phlebotomists should be aware of the safety equipment available when handling
this biohazardous material.

1. **Preventing Accidental Needle Sticks** – Devices that minimize the risk of the
   phlebotomist accidentally being exposed to a dirty needle.
2. **Re-Sheathing Devices** – After the needle is withdrawn from the patient, most
   blood draw needles have mechanisms that allow the phlebotomist to cover the
   needle without needing to touch it.
3. **Needle Holders** – This needle-safety device is used along with the vacuum
   blood collection system to stabilize the needle during the blood draw, so the
   phlebotomist doesn’t have to hold the needle while changing out blood
   collection tubes.
4. **Sharps Container** – After the needle has been used for a blood draw, the
   phlebotomist disposes of the needle in a labeled sharps container. This
   puncture-proof and leak-proof container prevents exposure to blood borne
   pathogens.
5. **Biohazard Bags** – After the blood is in blood collection tubes and labeled
   with a patient sticker, the phlebotomist places the blood into a biohazard bag
   before delivering the blood to the laboratory. These bags clearly label the
   blood tubes as a possible biohazard material during transport.
6. **Gloves** – The phlebotomist wears gloves throughout the collection process.

### 󠀁**⏎  10\. Dressing Supplies

After drawing blood, the phlebotomist applies a dressing to the site that they
drew blood from. This prevents the patient from continuing to bleed.

1. **Gauze** – After withdrawing the needle, the phlebotomist will apply pressure
   to the vein using gauze, usually using a 2×2 size gauze pad.
2. **Tape** – After pressure has been applied, the phlebotomist will use medical
   tape to adhere the gauze onto the skin to allow for healing before the patient
   removes it.
3. **Band-Aid** – A band-aid is usually used for smaller needle sites that have
   less bleeding. Typically, band-aids will be used on the finger or heel after a
   lancet needle blood draw.

---

## How to Get Comfortable Using Phlebotomy Equipment

![Phlebotomy Equipment](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Phlebotomy-Equipment.jpg)![Phlebotomy Equipment](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Phlebotomy-Equipment.jpg)
With so much phlebotomy equipment to understand, it can be overwhelming to think
about using the various supplies. Like with learning any new skill, the more you
practice using phlebotomy equipment, the more comfortable you will feel. In a
phlebotomy training program, you’ll practice each step of the phlebotomy
process:

### 󠀁**⏎  Choosing the Right Phlebotomy Equipment for the Blood Draw

1. Take the time to understand each of the different pieces of phlebotomy
   equipment you will be responsible for using.
2. Understand when you will use varying types/sizes of needles and the appropriate
   blood collection tubes that go along with them.
3. Recognize the different blood collection tubes you will use and the order in
   which you will draw them.
4. Review the human anatomy of veins so you know where to locate them.

### 󠀁**⏎  Training on Phlebotomy Supplies

1. Assemble different combinations of needles with varying transfer devices.
2. Practice using the different blood collection devices.
3. Prepare labels and send collected blood tubes.

### 󠀁**⏎  Practice on a Phlebotomy Training Arm

1. Before performing a blood draw on a real person, practice using your phlebotomy
   supplies on a training arm. These mannequins mimic a real human arm and allow
   the phlebotomist-in-training to become comfortable using the various blood draw
   supplies they will soon use on real patients.
2. This provides an opportunity to become proficient with the hand-eye
   coordination that comes with inserting the needle and then maneuvering your
   hands to collect blood samples from the vein.

### 󠀁**⏎  Take Your Training to the Real-World

1. When you feel comfortable selecting the appropriate phlebotomy equipment,
   assembling it correctly, and the motor skills of performing a blood draw, you
   will feel prepared to perform blood draws on real patients.

---

## How Arizona College Can Help You Prepare for a Phlebotomy Career

![Allied Health Program Students pursuing a career in healthcare at Arizona College.](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Billing.jpg)![Allied Health Program Students pursuing a career in healthcare at Arizona College.](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Billing.jpg)
Choosing a phlebotomy training program that includes hands-on education along
with classroom instruction will ensure you are confidently prepared to perform
blood draws. Arizona College offers a Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy program
that prepares you for a medical assistant / phlebotomy career in less than 8
months.

**
Arizona College’s Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy Certification program
offers:

- Morning and evening classes available
- Online/In-Person hybrid learning format
- Real-world healthcare training through externship program
- Financial aid available to those who quality
- Open lab and tutoring opportunities
- No GED or High School diploma? We have solutions

Arizona College is located in the Phoenix metro area with 2 campuses in
Glendale, AZ and Mesa, AZ

Excited to hear more about our Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy Program?

[rif\_button title=”Contact Us To Get Started”]

---

_\*Microtainer® is a registered trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company._

**Categories:** AZC Healthcare Programs