A career in Phlebotomy: How to Become a Phlebotomist

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What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is a medical technique in which a needle is used to drain blood from a vein. It is also called venipuncture or drawing of blood. Phlebotomy usually uses for laboratory workup, to remove extra RBCs from blood, or to treat blood disorders.

phlebotomy is performed to treat polycythemia, a condition in which RBCs concentration is elevated in peripheral blood, and disorders that elevate the iron level in the blood to the dangerous state like hemochromatosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C. 

Phlebotomy is a useful technique in removing blood from the body for donation, transfusion, or analysis.

Phlebotomists:

A person who performed phlebotomy called as a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician. Phlebotomist could be a trained and certified nurse or technician. Physicians can also be phlebotomist as their course include one-semester training of phlebotomy. 

A phlebotomist draws quality blood samples from the patient’s body or blood donors. They prepare the specimen for medical lab testing.

The phlebotomist create an environment of trust and confidence with patients while draining blood sample in a skillful, safe, and reliable manner and steps include;

  • Explain the procedure to patients,
  • Apply tunicate for pressure accumulation,
  • Identify the vein and draw a blood sample,
  • Apply pressure or bandage after drawn sample,
  • Take BP, pulse, and respiration readings,
  • Update the patient with a record,

Phlebotomist responsibility and  workplace:

The phlebotomist must be skillful, responsible, and work well under pressure. The communication skill of Phlebotomist must be effective, as they work directly with patients. The phlebotomist should be well-attentive while working with patients and notice and relay any important information gained during interaction with physicians, nurses, or laboratory professionals.

The phlebotomist works in hospitals, laboratories, physician’s offices, medical camps, donation facilities, and other medical settings where blood samples were taken for analysis. Sometimes Phlebotomist also travels home to home on call patients who are homebound.

How to become Phlebotomist! Course and training.

A learning period or phlebotomy program usually takes one semester or one year to complete.

The phlebotomy technician program is launched to teach the knowledge in technical and procedural aspects of phlebotomy and hand-on training. The program will teach the concept of phlebotomy, infection control, legal issues, and other subjects. This program is designed for leaner who want to advance their carrier.

The Phlebotomist program requirement include;

  • Proof individually is at least +18 or older,
  • High school diploma or GED,
  • Signed admissions application and signed enrollment agreement,
  • All applicants must be able to speak, read, and understand English.

The Phlebotomy training program teaches all the necessary techniques and procedure steps to be a competent and skilled phlebotomist. The Phlebotomy program course include;

Blood draining procedure include hands-on training like;

  • Basic Venipuncture technique
  • Butterfly cannula technique, which is commonly used for the elderly and children with small veins
  • Fingerstick method for people with damaged or hard to find their vein.
  • Healstick or capillary puncture for the newborn.

How to choose the right training programs:

Choosing the right training program with defining priorities is important. Here are some things to consider, if you deciding to get a training program;

  • Location: many people lose the chance because of the location. If you are willing to attend then look a place with easy commuting distance.
  • Time or period: Phlebotomy training period very in length, from one semester to one year. Chose a program length according to your requirement.
  • Accreditation: It is very important to understand if you’re attending the training program than you should be sure that your training meets the needs of a standard to get your certificate.  

Phlebotomist licensing and Certification:

Certification of Phlebotomist is optional, but it is highly recommended and requirable for future opportunities. Here some following agencies who take a test and awarded the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) or Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) titles to winners;

Certified Phlebotomy technicians or phlebotomists must continue the education and management skills to maintain their status. 

Phlebotomist salary:

The Median Annual Salary of the phlebotomist is $33,670-34,000, with high chances of increasing 25% through 2026, much faster than average. Having experience can increase the salary by up to 10%. 

Phlebotomist job discription:

Phlebotomist interacts with people daily. As a Phlebotomist, you must be experienced and responsible for patient blood draining, patient name labeling, and delivering of blood samples to laboratories. The phlebotomist must be skillful in blood drawing from babies, newborns, children, and especially from the people who have a phobia of a needle.

As a responsible Phlebotomist should maintain a record of blood draining and generate the report to submit to physicians or other medical staff members.

 Phlebotomist degree requirements:

College is not required for a phlebotomist degree, but many physicians and medical staff members obtained this degree as an associated degree. A Bachelor’s degree in Medical technology is also an aspiring option for phlebotomists. The topic of instruction focus on venipuncture, vascular anatomy, and physiology, skin nick technique, safety procedure, and proper handling.

  Takeaway:

Phlebotomy is more than just talking, as this course teaches techniques and preparation for emergencies. It also helps to understand proper laboratory procedures to avoid contamination of microorganisms and infection and all the necessary techniques to be a skilled phlebotomist.

Being a Certified phlebotomist can increase your status as a medical member.