Having A Career As A Phlebotomist

When a person is looking for a good career in the medical field, they might want to consider working as a phlebotomist. These are medical professionals that collect blood from patients in hospitals, for blood donation drives and more.

Qualifications
If order for a person to begin phlebotomist training, they must be at lease 18 years old. They must have earned a high school diploma or GED. Most states also require a health assessment. This will include a recent tuberculosis (TB) screening. A person must also have a recent hepatitis vaccination before they can begin any type of clinical training.

Education
The educational requirements to be a phlebotomist are different for every state. There are phlebotomists who have four-year degrees in medical science or a similar area of study. Most entry-level positions require passing a certification program and having a two-year associate’s degree. In order for a person to advance into higher-paying positions in the phlebotomy field, they are required to have a bachelor’s degree. A phlebotomy student will need to learn how to palpate veins. They must know how to select the correct supplies. The ability to prepare a patient for successful blood specimen collection is essential. A student will be required to perform actual blood draws for class. They will also have to study physiology and anatomy. The proper utilization of lab equipment and more.

Certification
Each state has its own requirements for the certification of phlebotomists. The minimum amount of education for phlebotomist certification is also determined by the state where they will be working. Some states require a person to spend a specific amount of time doing hands-on training. This can be performed with an internship or practicum. There are three kinds of phlebotomy certifications. A limited Phlebotomy Technician is only authorized to perform skin puncture blood collection. A Certified Phlebotomy Technician I is authorized to do vein punctures and skin punctures. A Certified Phlebotomy Technician II is authorized to do vein punctures, skin punctures and arterial punctures. Three organizations offer phlebotomy certification. They are the American Society for Clinical Pathology. (ASCP), the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Continuing Education
There is mandatory continuing education requirements for all certified phlebotomists. In most cases, a minimum of six hours of continuing education is required each year. The health care profession is constantly changing. A phlebotomist will learn about the latest procedures and proper laboratory practices. The newest ways to maintain specimen integrity and more.

Job Duties
A phlebotomist is trained to take blood samples from people. A phlebotomist will know how to do this while following all safety protocols. There are also phlebotomists who analyze specimen samples and report the results to staff, nurses and doctors. They are responsible for completing paperwork for each specimen and transporting it to the proper area for analysis when necessary. They will also complete reports when there is an incident. A phlebotomist will consult with laboratory supervisor when necessary. A phlebotomist will make certain the lab has a sufficient amount of supplies. They are responsible for prioritizing blood collecting work as well as processing blood specimens. They prepare and maintain patient paperwork. A phlebotomist is able to maintain a clean and well-organized blood collection work area. An experienced phlebotomist will also be expected to help train new employees.

Salary
According to statistics provided by the Labor of Bureau Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for a phlebotomist is $15.10, over 90 percent make $20.77 an hour. The median annual salary is $30,150, over 90 percent make $43,190 annually. Phlebotomists who make the most money are working for a medical diagnostic laboratory.

Working Conditions
The work of a phlebotomist requires them to be indoors. They will often be required to wear protective clothing such as masks and clothing. A phlebotomist may be exposed to serious diseases and infections. They may be required to wear uniforms like lab coats. A phlebotomist could also be exposed to hazardous conditions and contaminants. They may work in an environment with a variety of loud or distracting sounds.

Social Skills
It is the job of a phlebotomist to stick people with needles. Drawing blood and processing samples requires a person to have well-developed social skills. They must have an ability to deal with the fear most people experience when having blood drawn. A phlebotomist must know how to mix humor with understanding. A phlebotomist that is friendly can provide a positive social interaction with a patient. This can make their job easier and the patient more relaxed.

Pressure
Medical labs are very busy places. A phlebotomist will be working under pressure. They will have to deal with a large number of patients during their day. Some situations will require them to handle difficult people who will challenge them. Being able to correctly draw blood, accurately label the specimen and more will require attention to detail. A successful phlebotomist will be able to work well under stressful conditions.