If you have inherent skills in making people feel comfortable or if you are good at empathizing, then this may be a great career fit for you.

Drawing Blood for a Living

Have you ever undergone a blood test? Most people have experienced having their blood drawn to check for disease signs. Medical specialists who collect blood samples are the medical professionals called phlebotomists. If you want a medical career in phlebotomy, then you might want to consider enrolling in a phlebotomy training program.

Venipuncture Training

Also called venipuncture, this specialty provides various training options which range from a few months up to a year. There are also two and four year training programs which would provide a more intense schooling for future phlebotomists.

There are a few community colleges and private schools which offer these training programs. Community colleges, more often than not, provide two-year phlebotomy associate degrees. Higher education institutions provide bachelor’s degrees in phlebotomy and these are geared to train students who are serious about establishing a career in venipuncture.

Certification Procedure

It would do you good to check on the state guidelines when it comes to phlebotomy training. In most states, a phlebotomist must first have a certificate in phlebotomy a person is allowed to work in hospitals or clinics.

The very first step in phlebotomy certification is the program completion itself. This training program must be certified by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences or NAACLS.

It is the NPA or The National Phlebotomy Association which establishes the national standards for all training programs in phlebotomy. In order to qualify for the certification exam, it is the NPA that requires would-be phlebotomists to complete at least 160 hours of classroom training and an additional 200 hours of clinical training. This governing body also oversees the ethics and professional standards for phlebotomy practice.

Phlebotomy Training Curriculum

Students who have completed 140 hours of hands-on, classroom and clinical instruction are certified by the American Phlebotomy Association. Actual training often includes the following:

• Medical Safety and Processes
• Anatomy, Immunology and Genetics
• Recordkeeping and Labeling
• Proper Handling of Medical Equipment
• Quality Control and Legal Issues
• Donor and Information Processes
• Theory and Laboratory Training
• Ethics and Professionalism

Once you become a certified phlebotomist, your tasks would normally include the following:

• Blood collection for testing and analysis
• Labeling blood samples and other specimens
• Transporting specimens to and from the lab
• Effective communication with the medical staff and patients
• Collection equipment sterilization
• Recording patient data and other relevant information

If you enjoy working with and helping people, then a good phlebotomist training is the key to your promising career.

If you think that just about anyone can perform this job, then you are wrong.

This is a job that requires a person that is bent in pursuing a career in phlebotomy and aims to be the best at it.

Comprehensive Training in Phlebotomy

The person that performs the process of drawing blood is called the phlebotomist. To become one, you need to undergo a comprehensive training in the field of phlebotomy. There are a lot of illnesses that require blood tests, thus, the services offered by a phlebotomist are quite important.

The very purpose of venipuncture is to extract the blood from the human body through the veins so that it can be studied to find out the causes of diseases. These blood samples are used for both diagnostic and treatment reasons.

Venipuncture can be perfected through specialization, practice and years of experience. A phlebotomist must also have sufficient know-how in human anatomy and physiology.

And since the whole procedure is vital it is a must to adhere to the standards of hygiene in order to avoid infection. Patient records are also kept by the phlebotomist so that diagnoses in later stages will be guided accordingly.

If there are cases when the blood needs to be transported, it is also the phlebotomist’s role to handle and store the samples in absolute safety.

The Need for Certification

If you want to be able to provide venipuncture services, there is a need to undergo a training course that will give you the certification that you need. There are various medical institutions that are offer this kind of program and there are also community colleges which train future phlebotomists.

The phlebotomy course outline revolves around the techniques and methodologies on this medical field. A student will also be trained to puncture the veins that are located on the vital parts of the body. Also, a special training is given so that a patient’s discomfort will not be heightened during the procedure.

Venipuncture Training Opportunities

Training sessions are mostly done in clinics and labs apart from classroom settings. This is so the students will have hands-on training. Students are trained in both theoretical and the actual venipuncture procedure or clinical sessions. These are effective ways in making students overcome their fear of blood or fear of human interaction.

Are you ready for a career in phlebotomy?

Just check on some state laws and find out what requirements you should fulfill once you have decided that this is the career path that you should pursue.

The blood samples are then used to diagnose and treat certain health problems. There are also times when blood samples are used during blood donations.

Almost all medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, medical assistants, paramedics and nursing aides are trained for phlebotomy.

Getting to Know The Phlebotomy Technician

A PBT, also known as a phlebotomist technician, is a trained and often certified medical professional who practices phlebotomy.

The PBT job: Before you even get interested in knowing the phlebotomy technician’s salary, you have to understand what a PBT does in clinics and hospitals. The major task of a phlebotomy technician is to draw blood samples from patients.

There are times when these samples are taken to be transferred to other hospitals and medical institutions and there are times when they are used during blood donation campaigns.

Depending on the workplace, the set of duties that are assigned to a phlebotomist may slightly differ. Most of them work in clinical labs and diagnostic centers. A few work in pharmaceutical companies, blood banks and hospitals.

It is also the phlebotomist’s job to maintain a high level of hygiene during the blood drawing process. And since there are a lot of patients who are afraid of needles, it is also the phlebotomist’s job to create rapport with the patient.

Here are other duties that a phlebotomist may be tasked to do:

• He has to explain the procedure to his patient.
• He measures the patient’s blood pressure.
• He cleans and sterilizes the equipment to be used.
• He maintains patient records.
• He sends samples to labs for further procedures.
• He attends to patients at the reception area, plotting appointments and maintaining equipment used in blood drawing.
• Create a congenial relationship with the patient.

The Phlebotomy Technician Pay

This is a job that pays according to seniority and experience. So if you have more years of experience, then you are likely going to earn more than the newbie. The average annual salary is recorded at $20,000 each year.

Phlebotomists work in shifts so those that get assigned in graveyard shifts tend to earn more.

Surveys have shown that clinics pay at a rate that is 40% higher when the phlebotomist works during the weekends or on evening shifts. There are phlebotomy technicians that work on an hourly basis (the rate is approximately $8-$10 per hour).

The median salary for phlebotomy technicians is at $18,720 up to $25,168 each year. There are phlebotomists that work as supervisors and their pay from doing clinical lab work is around $35,000 per annum.

If you want to earn more, the key here is to have more experience. There are other factors that can alter the average figures shown here. Circumstances, location and state laws have a lot to do with the varying figures in a phlebotomy technician’s salary.

What Is Phlebotomy?

This is a medical profession that centers on the act of drawing blood with the least amount of pain. A phlebotomist follows a doctor’s order as he draws the blood that will be used for a variety of tests like drug tests or blood donations.

Fulfilling the Requirements for Phlebotomy Classes

You need either a high school diploma or an equivalent GED in order to be admitted into any phlebotomy class. It is highly recommended that you have attended an accredited technical school or college for training and education.

What to Expect in a Phlebotomy class

Phlebotomy classes cover various topics that are necessary to become a skilled phlebotomist. Apart from learning how to correctly draw blood from patients, a student must also learn how to control biohazardous materials which have been used in drawing blood. Examples of these are what’s left of blood samples, used cotton balls, used syringes, etc.

A student must receive hands-on training in handling biohazardous wastes. They must also be trained in processing and using biohazardous spill kits. Medical safety is highly dependent on how the student absorbed the lessons with regard to biohazard safety as well as the use of blood culture bottles, needles, the different sizes of syringes, vacuum tubes, dermal puncture devices and bandages.

A would-be phlebotomist must also learn right bedside manners and empathy. These are needed in order to put patients at ease. Majority of people fear having their blood drawn so it is important to establish patient rapport prior to completing the procedure.

As a phlebotomy student, you also need to learn about the human circulatory system, physiology, anatomy and various medical terminologies. Students also need to familiarize themselves with equipment techniques and procedures, infection control, needle techniques and even legal aspects.

During clinical externships, students go to healthcare facilities like clinics or hospitals and there practice drawing blood from actual patients. They are, of course, under close the close supervision of a medical expert.

Where to Take Phlebotomy Classes

A lot of students enroll in phlebotomy classes at local community colleges. There are also hospital training programs that can provide a certification on phlebotomy. Just make sure that the training program was given proper accreditation by a regional or national agency such as the NAACLS or the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

After training, you must take a certification exam given by the ASPT of the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. Beyond this, all you need to concentrate on is the establishment of a successful career in phlebotomy.

Yet there is only one health care expert that has studied to perfect the art of drawing blood and this is the phlebotomist.

To become one, you need to take phlebotomy courses in an accredited medical institution.

So what’s involved in training to become a phlebotomy technician?

Finding The Right Phlebotomy Courses

There are various technical and vocational schools that offer phlebotomy courses for those who would want to have a permanent career in health care.

You will learn soon that the meaning of phlebotomy literally means drawing of blood. If you’re thinking that all you need is a needle, a bag to catch the blood and not being afraid of seeing blood, then you’re very wrong!

Phlebotomy is a clinical procedure must be done in precision. Keep puncturing a patient’s vein and you could end up being yelled upon.

Requirements For Phlebotomy Enrollees

A student who enrolls in a phlebotomy school is required to finish his high school education or present its GED equivalent to be able to qualify.

The different phlebotomy courses can lead to certificates, diplomas, AA or Associate of Arts, or Bachelor’s Degrees – the choice is literally yours to make.

Phlebotomy training will make you learn professional skills that you will be able to use in blood drives and hospitals.

You will also be closely working with nurses and doctors in labs or medical offices so you should have excellent communication skills.

As a student, you would also be trained to collect urine samples and prepare the blood samples for testing.

Common Phlebotomy Courses

• Medical terminology
• Anatomy
• Biology
• Physiology
• Venipuncture training
• Communication arts

You will also be required to get certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation or CPR as well as learn how to handle body fluids, determine the legal aspects of blood sample collection, and learn the general practices in phlebotomy.

Some states may ask for certification so that you can work as a phlebotomist.

These certificates are awarded upon a student’s successful completion of specified exams that are administered by any of these groups.

• The American Society of Clinical Pathologists
• The American Medical Technologists
• The American Association of Medical Personnel

You need to get in touch with a number of schools if you want to inquire some more about phlebotomy courses. Take your time in studying every college or university offer so that you’ll make an informed choice in the end.

There are online and traditional resources for this career so you might want to gather more information about it.

And you also need to know whether you would eventually need to take the phlebotomy certification exam.

Is This the Right Career for You?

Before you become a full-fledged phlebotomy technician, you need to know the major requirements as well as other aspects such as –

• The availability of phlebotomy courses
• Admission requirements
• The average annual salary of a phlebotomist
• And whether you would need to get certified

You need to determine the answer to these before you actually enroll in any phlebotomy training program.

Students who have attended phlebotomy schools often wish to obtain certification and there is a great reason for this common wish.

Studying for the Phlebotomy Certification Exam

Whether you have trained for phlebotomy or not, it is vital that you know the fundamentals of performing such a task.

It is crucial that you do some practice tests before taking the actual exam. These practice exams would help you become more familiar with the items that will be included on your actual test.

There are a number of phlebotomy books that you can peruse. These books should cover every little thing that you need to be able to pass the examination.

You must also focus in studying the venipuncture techniques such as knowing the best vein locations, puncture locations, and the actual act of drawing blood from the donor or patient.

You must also have the right skills to make a patient feel at ease. It is also your duty to learn about the human circulatory system as a general topic for studying.

Use Study Guides

Don’t be afraid to make use of test practice sheets, past questionnaires, and research guide books. Multiple choice packages will also prepare you for the exam so take the time to use each resource.

A student who has attended 8-24 months of phlebotomy courses should be prepared for the exam. The courses would have covered all the vital aspects of the certification examination.

Giving Definition to The Phlebotomy Certification Exam

Phlebotomy certification exam is an essential test that is conducted by health association boards. This should evaluate the capacity of the student to do phlebotomy at a professional level.

This exam will measure a student’s knowledge and ability in discharging the duties of a phlebotomy technician with zero errors.

Prior to the exam, a registered student is encouraged to take a course, study it well, attend his classes, and then take specialization classes if needs be.

Only then can he truly say that he will be ready for the actual phlebotomy certification exam.

If you’re aspiring to have a unique medical career, then you might want to consider becoming a phlebotomist.

But what is a phlebotomist and do you need phlebotomy certification in order to begin working?

The Steps To A Phlebotomy Certification

The job of a phlebotomist (to draw and keep samples of blood) may seem easy to look at but this is still a procedure that requires certain skills and expertise.

You don’t just wake up one day, tell someone that you want to draw blood and start sticking needles into arms!

There are standards and procedures to be followed when you want to become a phlebotomy technician. And above all, you must have an inherent capacity to make people feel comfortable around you.

In taking the first leap to becoming a phlebotomist, you need to know that there are no educational specs with regard to this career.

Aspiring phlebotomy technicians don’t need to finish set programs in order to begin working. You can simply get trainings from any recognized medical schools or vocational training centers.

It may only take six months to finish a training program in phlebotomy. There are also programs that can take a year to finish.

Online courses are also numerous so it’s up to you to decide whether you would want to finish your phlebotomy course online or in traditional schools.

The Advantages of Getting A Phlebotomy Certification

The ASCP or American Society for Clinical Pathology provides phlebotomy certification to candidates who pass with flying colors on their training programs.

Other renowned institutions include the AMT or The American Medical Technologists and the ASPT or The American Society for Phlebotomy Technicians.

Getting certified means you can already apply with more confidence as an intern on any medical institution.

Your senior should train you for about 6-8 weeks before you can be released to the real medical world.

You will have the capacity to raise the average salary of phlebotomists if you have been certified.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for beginners in this field can earn $25,000 each year. If you’ve been certified, you can earn as much as $30,000-$35,000 per annum.

There is no doubt that the job is challenging. But if you want a job that keeps you up on your toes, then this is the right career to choose.

Just make sure that you get your phlebotomy certification so that you get the respect of your employers and as well as become more equipped in professionally handling your tasks!

He is a health care professional who can work in hospitals, clinics, blood banks, etc.

Among the different medical jobs, the phlebotomist is unique because of the scope of his job and the competitive requirements in becoming one.

So what is a phlebotomist and how do you become one?

What Is A Phlebotomist?

There are rules or procedures to follow in order to draw blood from any patient. A phlebotomist has to make sure that the patient won’t suffer from any kind of infection due to the process of blood drawing.

Prior to drawing blood with a needle, the phlebotomy technician needs to have access to the patient’s vein.

He will then place a tourniquet and then an antiseptic is used for precautionary measures.

A phlebotomist must make the phlebotomy region clean. It is also your duty to make sure that there are ample supplies in the lab especially those that are used in drawing blood.

While you’re drawing the blood, it is your responsibility to verify the identity of the donor or patient so as to avoid confusion or even tragedy!

A phlebotomist must also explain the entire procedure to the donor or patient so that he will feel comfortable during the procedure.

Additional Phlebotomist Job Responsibilities

You are also expected to work together with doctors or nurses so you must have good social and communication skills.

These health workers expect the most professional behavior from a phlebotomist at all times.

Out of this job description, you’ll know that the phlebotomist works in a challenging field.

So if you’re up to the challenge, you must know what you need to do in order to become a successful phlebotomy technician.

What Is A Phlebotomist Suppose To Learn?

To become a phlebotomy technician, you must be a graduate or post-graduate degree holder in the field of health care or medicine.

You might want to get certified in order to get a license. This license is more than just a piece of paper.

It is proof that you have patiently endured phlebotomy training and have acquired the necessary skills in practicing phlebotomy.

The Characteristics of a Good Phlebotomist Are

• Patient
• Communicates well
• Hardworking
• Has excellent interpersonal skills

Salary range for phlebotomy technicians:

The average phlebotomist salary for beginners is at $25,000 per year. If you want to earn more, you must have more experience or get additional training and certification.

Of course, rural areas provide lower salaries than urbanized areas.

With experience comes better salary offers so you could earn as much as $35,000 as soon as you have more years shown on your resume.

Hopefully this helps answer the question, what is a phlebotomist?

This specific health care industry is projected to grow some more in the next few years so you can expect this career to be financially rewarding.

If you’re serious in establishing a career in phlebotomy, then you need to consider looking into different phlebotomy schools as early as your junior year in high school.

The Phlebotomist’s Job

Before you begin scouring the internet or local listings for phlebotomy schools in your area, you need to study the responsibilities that you will hold –

• As a phlebotomist technician, it is your responsibility to collect blood samples from patients and to send these to the lab for testing.
• It is also your duty to make sure that the patient won’t be exposed to infections during the process of drawing blood.
• A phlebotomist technician will work closely with blood banks as they are also required to get blood from donors and then store them in bags to be transported to different blood banks.
• The phlebotomist is also responsible in monitoring the respiratory readings as well as blood pressure data of patients.
• A phlebotomy technician should also make sure that the needles used during the operation.

Requirements for Phlebotomy Enrollees

There are no specific requirements with regard to education if you want to become a phlebotomy technician.

Some employers would only require a high school diploma and just the diploma for the phlebotomy technician course.

An aspiring candidate may also complete on-the-job training in order to get more experience on this field.

Though majority of states don’t require that you show a license before you begin working as a phlebotomy technician, getting certified will give you the best career opportunities.

The Finest Phlebotomy Schools

There are many colleges and universities across the nation which is highly recommended by phlebotomy experts.

At the very top of that list is the California College in San Diego, Florida.

Here Are Other Phlebotomy Schools That You Might Want To Consider

• Kaplan College located in San Antonio, Texas
• The Salter School of Nursing and Allied Health located in NH
• The City College located in Gainesville, FL
• The Sarasota County Technical Institute
• Devry University in Orlando, FL
• The Stevens-Henager College located in Ogden, UT
• The LA Vocational Institute and Central Nursing College located in Los Angeles, CA

Majority of physicians and health professionals such as paramedics, nurses, medical assistants and nurses are also trained phlebotomists.

But it is the phlebotomy technician who is specially trained and even certified to do phlebotomy.

This will greatly reduce the burden on other medical professionals.

Are you interested on the job yet?

And would you like to know how much the phlebotomy technician salary is?

What Affects Your Phlebotomy Technician Salary – The Tasks of a Phlebotomist

One of the determining factors of your future salary as a phlebotomist is the number of tasks that you need to do.

Your primary duty as a phlebotomy technician is to obtain blood samples from patients. Sometimes, it is also the phlebotomist’s duty to transfer these blood samples or to actively participate in blood donations.

Your job as a phlebotomy technician is a delicate task that requires the highest quality of hygiene at all times.

A lot of patients are afraid of needles yet they know that it is required to give a blood sample so it is your duty to assuage this person’s fears.

Also, you should try to establish a relaxed atmosphere in order to make the patient feel more comfortable or relaxed.

Apart from drawing blood, it is also a phlebotomy technician’s job to interact with members of the medical team such as doctors and nurses.

The Phlebotomist’s Workplace

Another factor that will determine the exact compensation for a phlebotomist is where he works.

Majority of phlebotomy technicians can be found at diagnostics centers or laboratories. Some of them can also be found in hospitals, clinics, blood banks, and pharmaceutical companies.

The Phlebotomy Technician Salary Range

Experience and seniority will always play vital roles in determining the phlebotomist’s actual salary.

Getting certified would also mean higher chances of getting better compensation packages.

A beginner in the field of phlebotomy could earn $25,000 annually.

He is also tasked to work in shifts, thus, having the opportunity to earn night differentials in the process.

Many surveys have proven that clinics pay about 40% higher for phlebotomists that work on weekends and evening shifts.

Those who work by the hour can earn anywhere from $8-$10 USD.

The median salary for a phlebotomist is at $21,720 to $29,168 every year.

Naturally, those who work as supervisors on clinical labs can earn $35,000 per year or more.

Hospitals give an average annual salary of $28,407. Private companies often give higher compensation at $30,953 per annum.

So you can see, the more education and experience you have, the higher your phlebotomy technician salary will be, so get started today!