How to set up a mobile phlebotomy business

Starting a mobile phlebotomy business can be a rewarding and profitable venture, offering convenient home blood tests to clients. Whether you are thinking of setting a mobile phlebotomy business as a side-hustle or as a full time job, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to set up your mobile phlebotomy business, from legal requirements to branding and equipment.

Step 1: Establish your legal entity

The first step is to establish a legal entity for your business. Even though you can carry out a mobile phlebotomy business as a self-employed, setting up a limited company will protect your personal assets and provide credibility to your business.

• Choose a Company Name: Ensure it's unique and not already registered.
• Register with Companies House: Complete the registration online.
• Set Up a Business Bank Account: Keep your personal and business finances separate.

Step 2: Check CQC registration requirements

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent regulator of health and social care services in England. Depending on your location and the specific services you offer, you may need to register with the CQC to ensure your business meets the required standards of care and safety. Research the regulations to determine if your services require CQC registration. If necessary, complete the registration process, which includes filling out detailed paperwork and undergoing an inspection to verify compliance with health and safety standards. Check if your services require CQC registration. If you're still not sure whether you need CQC registration, The Phlebotomy Centre offers CQC consultations.

Step 3: Register with ICO

If you handle personal data, you must register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to comply with data protection laws. The ICO is the UK's independent authority set up to uphold information rights and ensure data privacy. Complete the registration form on the ICO website, and familiarize yourself with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. Ensure you follow GDPR regulations in handling client data, including obtaining consent, securely storing information, and providing clients with access to their data upon request.

Step 4: Obtain Insurance

Professional liability insurance covers claims of negligence or errors in your services and public liability insurance protects against claims for injuries or damages to clients or their property during service delivery. Additionally, business equipment insurance covers the loss or damage of your equipment, ensuring you can continue operations without significant financial setbacks. You can discover a range of insurance products on The Phlebotomy Centre website. Pick one that fits your needs based on your business requirements.

Step 5: Establish your prices

Set competitive and fair prices for your services according to your business model. Whether you want to charge on a per mile basis, per mile radius basis, or offer a fixed price, research what other mobile phlebotomy businesses in your area are charging to understand the market rate. Conduct a cost analysis to calculate your expenses and desired profit margin. Most importantly, make sure your pricing structure is transparent and clearly displayed on your website. And please, no hidden fees or charges.

Step 6: Prepare compliance documents and policies

Ensure you have all necessary compliance documents and policies not only to efficiently run your business but also to make sure you are legally compliant. Create templates for consent forms, clinical notes, complaint procedure, and privacy policies to streamline your administrative processes. Use secure methods to store and manage these documents, whether through paper-based systems or digital solutions. Medimob offers compliance documents and policies templates. To download them simply register your profile, head over to the 'Resources' section and download the template you want.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Step 7: Develop your brand identity

A strong brand identity is crucial for attracting and retaining clients. Start by choosing a relevant and memorable domain name for your website. Use this domain to create professional email addresses that enhance your business’s credibility. Invest in a professional logo that represents your brand, and build an informative and user-friendly website that showcases your services. Your brand identity should convey trust, professionalism, and quality to prospective clients. If you want this all set-up for you, send an email to [email protected] and we will set you up in no time with prices.

Step 8: Acquire the Right Equipment

Equip yourself with the necessary tools to provide phlebotomy services. Stock up on essential items like butterfly needles, ensuring you have a variety of sizes to accommodate different clients. Other stock that you may need include: sharps bin, tourniquets, gloves, blood bottles, antiseptic wipes, bandages, and cotton buds. If processing blood samples is part of your service, invest in a centrifuge as a lot of providers requesting blood tests require blood samples to be centrifuged immediately after collection.

Step 9: Patient Management System (PMS)

If you have the right finances and a steady stream of patients, it is strongly advisable that you invest in an affordable and convenient patient management system (PMS). Not only it will ensure compliance by making sure that health records are up to date and kept in a secure system, but it may also be convenient to streamline your business operations as most patient management systems are integrated with billing and payment systems. Patient management systems suitable for phlebotomists can be WriteUpp and Powerdiary.

Step 10: Payment methods

Many practitioners share their bank details with patients and ask them to transfer the payment, but this can be time-consuming for the patient and often leads to delayed payments. Instead, streamline the process by using a service like SumUp. SumUp allows you to accept credit and debit cards on the spot, making it quick and easy for patients to pay immediately after their appointment. It’s convenient for them and ensures you get paid faster. Alternatively, patient management systems have integrated billing and payment methods that allow you to collect payments from the patient without the need for you to signup to and pay for additional services.

Photo by Nathana Rebouças on Unsplash

Step 11: Marketing and client acquisition

Now that you have your legal, compliance, and operations bit out of the way, you can start thinking about marketing and client acquisition in order to get known and stay in business. Start by signing up for platforms like Medimob, which connects patients with healthcare practitioners offering services online or at the patient's home. This can significantly enhance your reachability and brand awareness so that you can attract clients from a wider area. Additionally, make sure to inform local GP surgeries about your services to start build relationships with local healthcare providers and increase the likelihood of referrals, which can lead to a steady stream of new clients.