When you start any company, there are start-up costs and some of those start-up costs will include the equipment needed to run your business. Even if it’s an online company, at the very least, you’ll need a computer or a smartphone from which to run things.
A mobile phlebotomy company is no different. But unlike an online company, there is a lot more equipment you’ll need to purchase before you can start servicing patients. Here is a guide to some of the purchases you’ll need to make before you start your mobile phlebotomy business, as well as some things that would be nice to have, but aren’t necessary on day one.
Required Medical Equipment for Mobile Phlebotomists
Before you open for business, you want to make sure you have plenty of supplies on hand. You’ll need things like blood collection needles, blood collection tubes, labels, alcohol prep pads, gauze, and tape, as well as a bag to carry everything in. You’ll also need a cooler or an insulated medical bag and ice packs for storing the samples you collect, and a sharps disposal container for used needles.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is another key purchase you need to make upfront. Even if you’re the only phlebotomist in the field in the beginning, you need to protect both yourself and your patients properly. At a minimum, you should be using gloves and facemasks. Face shields or eye protection are also recommended for maximum protection.
Marketing Materials
For any new business to be successful, it needs to engage in some sort of marketing. There are different was to go about marketing your mobile phlebotomy business, but at the very least, you should have a simple website created for your company that outlines your services, your service area, and includes your contact information.
You also may want to consider having some print materials designed, such as business cards and brochures or flyers that you can bring to doctors’ offices, senior care facilities, hospice care companies, and any other organization you hope to work with.
Optional Equipment
If you have a good amount of start-up capital and want to invest in some other equipment for your mobile phlebotomy company, here are a few ideas to consider.
The first piece of equipment that isn’t necessary, but definitely valuable for a new mobile phlebotomy company would be a portable centrifuge. Having a centrifuge that you can take with you means you won’t have to go back and forth to the lab as often to drop off specimens, since they can be processed in the field and maintain their integrity for a longer period of time. This will save you time, which means you can do more draws in a day, as well as gas money. A centrifuge should pay for itself in no time at all, making it a great investment for your mobile phlebotomy business.
If you have the funds, you may also want to purchase some items that will make your company appear more professional and established. Some of those things include monogrammed scrubs, monogrammed medical bags, and a branded vehicle. Of those items, a branded vehicle is obviously the most expensive, and also the least necessary. Most mobile phlebotomy owners will tell you that it’s perfectly acceptable to use your personal vehicle in the field. If you have additional phlebotomists on your team, they can also use their own vehicles and you can pay them for their mileage.
Another optional purchase for a new mobile phlebotomy company is office space. In the early days of your company, when your team is small, you can get away with just working out of your home, but if you have the funds, and want a dedicated work space away from your home, renting or leasing a small office may be a purchase you want to make.
There are likely other purchases you will need to make as you start your mobile phlebotomy company, especially if you are collecting specimens other than just blood, but the items mentioned above are a good place to start!
short url:
