Needles, swabs and specimen jars aren’t most people’s idea of a good day, but they’re exactly where Bayside’s phlebotomy team vibes!
Working across the wards and the Central Specimen Reception (the lab), the team is dual-trained to collect, process, and coordinate a wide range of tests, from blood and urine samples to specialised screening.
Phlebotomist Robyn Smith said the role went well beyond taking blood.
“We’re the first point of contact for many patients and the front position for processing specimens across the hospital,” she said. “We work closely with wards, allied health and the lab, so we see the full patient journey.
“Our team is unique; there aren’t many teams set up like us with the ability to scale up and down across our wards and the lab because our team is so well-trained,” she said.
Robyn said the team regularly supported children, older patients and those who may feel anxious about procedures.
“We’ll spend time familiarising patients with the space and the process, so they feel comfortable before we even begin,” she said. “We use lots of different techniques, and it’s a very skilled role.”
Supervising Scientist Courtney Hackles said Robyn and the team felt helping patients feel safe was the most rewarding part of the job.
“I’ve seen Robyn assist needle-phobic patients become more comfortable with blood collections because she takes the time to explain each step, it takes longer to collect blood, but it’s about the psychosocial safety of the patient," she said.
Robyn said creating trust often meant slowing down and talking to patients through the process.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as showing them the equipment or letting them hold the tube so they know what to expect,” she said. “That reassurance makes a big difference.”
She said the team’s approach was reflected in the relationships built with patients.
“We have patients who specifically ask to come back to Bayside because they feel comfortable here,” she said. “In some cases, patients even request a particular collector because they feel safe.”
National Phlebotomists Recognition Week (9–13 February 2026) highlighted the contribution of these trained healthcare professionals, who collect blood samples and support a wide range of diagnostic testing across the service.