Phlebotomists take blood samples from patients for testing and are part of the support team in hospitals, clinics and community settings. Vacancies in Northern Ireland come from two main places: the Health and Social Care (HSC) trusts, and recruitment agencies that supply locum and temporary staff. This guide explains both routes. Live phlebotomy roles come and go quickly, so check the current listings under healthcare jobs in Belfast and the wider healthcare sector page.
Where the jobs come from
- HSC trusts. Hospital and community phlebotomy posts are advertised on HSC Jobs and are paid on the Agenda for Change pay bands.
- Agency and locum roles. Healthcare recruitment agencies advertise locum phlebotomy shifts and contracts. We have listed several in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. These are paid to the agency's own rates, not the HSC bands, so compare the advertised hourly or daily rate rather than assuming it matches a band.
- Private clinics and labs. Private providers set their own pay and entry requirements.
HSC pay bands
Most HSC posts are banded under Agenda for Change. Support roles sit towards the lower end of the scale; the entry-level bands are below. These are the published HSC bands, not a statement of which band any given phlebotomy post is on, from the HSC Northern Ireland pay bands page (basic pay, updated April 2025).
| Band | Entry salary | Top of band |
|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | £24,852 | £24,852 |
| Band 3 | £24,937 | £26,598 |
| Band 4 | £27,485 | £30,162 |
The band depends on the post, so read the advert: it will say which band the role is and what training it expects. HSC advises that staff also receive enhancements for evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays, ranging from time and a third up to double time. Pay scales are updated each year, so check the page for the current figures.
What employers typically ask for
- Training or experience in taking blood samples (venepuncture); entry-level posts may offer on-the-job training, while agency posts usually want experience already.
- Clear communication and a calm manner with anxious patients.
- Accuracy with patient identification and labelling, which is central to the job.
- Pre-employment checks, including AccessNI and occupational health clearance.
Requirements vary by employer, so treat the advert as the definitive list.
How to apply
Put any phlebotomy training, the settings you have worked in and your availability for shifts at the top of your CV. Our guide to writing a CV for NI employers shows the layout, and the interview questions guide covers the healthcare interview. A job alert on NIjobsearch will tell you when a new role is listed. For wider healthcare pay, see our healthcare salary guide and the nursing and healthcare jobs guide.
Find healthcare jobs in Northern Ireland
Browse current phlebotomy, nursing, healthcare assistant and allied health roles.
Browse Jobs on NIjobsearch →Frequently asked questions
What band is a phlebotomist in Northern Ireland?
It depends on the post, and the advert states the band. For reference, the entry-level HSC bands are Band 2 at £24,852, Band 3 at £24,937 and Band 4 at £27,485 on the April 2025 HSC pay table.
Are phlebotomy locum jobs paid the same as HSC jobs?
No. Agency and locum roles are paid at the agency’s own rates, so compare the advertised rate with the HSC bands rather than assuming they match.