How to Start a Phlebotomy Career
The medical field employs phlebotomists for many reasons. Physicians need to test the blood of their patients. Patients may also need to donate blood to help another person. Phlebotomists take blood from the patient’s vein, usually near the wrist or middle arm. For infants, smaller needles are used, and blood is drawn from the infant’s heel, which is the least painful location for drawing blood.
How to Become a Phlebotomist
The first step toward find becoming a phlebotomist is to find an accredited school with a training program. Depending on the school and program, you may be able to attend a technical school rather than a two or four-year college. Most programs can prepare you for an internship during training or after graduation. Programs are designed to provide hands-on training to prepare students for real-world work environments.
Working Environment
As a phlebotomist, you’ll likely work in a health care environment with doctors and nurses. Some phlebotomists also choose to work with patients who cannot drive and are mobile-impaired due to health reasons. These individuals have adjusted to working on-call. There may also be job opportunities to work with companies that conduct blood drives. These events are fully equipped with everything the phlebotomist needs to set the patient up and draw blood, whether for a blood donation or a blood test.
Once your credentials and your experience are in place, you may decide to open a phlebotomy business. Doctors, medical organizations and hospitals are the perfect venues to offer your services. You may also offer your services to businesses, doctor offices, assisted living facilities or anywhere there’s a need to draw the patient’s blood.
The tasks performed by a certified phlebotomist may include evaluating patients for their ability to withstand vein-puncture, explaining the procedure to patients, performing basic point-of-care procedures that test for blood glucose, preparing urine, blood and other fluid specimens for testing.
Becoming Certified
CPTs (Certified Phlebotomy Technicians) need their certification to draw blood from patients. The Phlebotomy Technician Certification program is accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCAA). The National Healthcareer Association, Inc. issues CPT certifications. Your phlebotomy program will likely provide information about the entire certification process.
Phlebotomist Salaries in Georgia
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomists earned a median annual wage of $29,730 in 2102. From 2012 through 2020, job opening for phlebotomists is expected to increase by 27 percent. The growth rate for phlebotomy positions is faster than the average for all occupations. According to O*NET, Georgia phlebotomists earned salaries ranging from $20,800 to $38,200 as of 2013.
Continuing Education
Continuation education can help ensure that a professional remains relevant with respect to industry trends and job opportunities. Continuing education may also help you discover and prepare for other industry-related jobs in healthcare. The field of phlebotomy can be a great career move if you enjoy working with professionals in a clean, healthcare environment.
Several Georgia Phlebotomy Schools and programs include Atlanta Technical College, Central Georgia Technical College, Columbus Technical College, Dalton State College and the University of North Georgia.