Needles! Not many people like being jabbed or having their blood drawn. I sometimes wonder how the people who do the blood drawing feel about it as well though.
What exactly is a Phlebotomist?
Its simple really. A Phlebotomist draws blood from patients for diagnosing diseases, treating illnesses, or just doing an overall check to make sure there are no health issues cropping up. These blood samples get sent off to laboratories to be tested. Doesn’t sound too dramatic, does it?
A Phlebotomist is really a critical part of any healthcare team, a specialized medical assistant who also has a technical role to play as well. They are responsible for the containment and disposal of any hazardous equipment, the management of time sensitive blood collections and the documentation of patient records.
Then there is the care part of the service, where you need to be able to calm a patient, answer their questions and put them at ease when having to take their blood. A Phlebotomist needs good communication skills and a good bedside manner, while balancing the pressures of a job that goes on in a fast paced environment.
Traits of a Phlebotomist
Some of the most important traits a Phlebotomist needs are:
-
A desire to help others
-
The ability to pay close attention to detail
-
The ability to multi-task while working under stress
How do you become a Phlebotomist?
As in any medical field, you are required to hold a license for phlebotomy. While having academic credentials to become certified isn’t a requirement, it can help you along your career path when trying to get hired as a Phlebotomist.
Did you know that the need for Phlebotomists has been on the rise? According to a report done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this year saw nearly 6,000 vacancies for Phlebotomists, with the expectation that this figure will rise by 19% by 2020.
Is Phlebotomy the right career for you?
Phlebotomy can be a rewarding career, but it is one that you need to make sure you are making an informed decision about. Make sure you do your research on a career in phlebotomy before jumping in with both feet. The good news is that this is an entry level position, and it doesn’t matter if you are fresh out of school/college or have been out of the work environment for a while. Typically, there are 3 types who usually get into this field of work:
-
People with a general interest in medicine who have a desire for helping others
-
People who are looking to advance their medical career but need a point to start with
-
People who are seeking an entry level job that offers good benefits
Did you know that many lab technicians, nurses and doctors have started out as a Phlebotomist? It’s the fastest way to get a foot in the door if you want to work in the health field. The position is hands on and you deal with patients on a daily basis, so you can get right into the work.
It’s a great option for those who want to work in the medical field while still going through other medical training and education that can take longer. Phlebotomy is also a great choice as a life long career. It no wonder that more and more people are looking at Phlebotomy as a career choice, given the career’s popularity, speediness of formal education and training and the many opportunities for advancement.
Some things to keep in mind
There are a few things to consider before you get started down this career path, such as:
-
The type of training and education it takes
-
Where you are able to look for experience or work
-
What you should expect when you get a job in the field
Most of the training programs are held at accredited technical schools and colleges. You do need to make sure that it is a reputable place that has been accredited. Many places won’t even consider hiring a person who has gone through a course that is unaccredited. Be wary of any course that promises to teach you everything about the field of phlebotomy in a matter of a few days.
You can do some online training, but a program that works with a physical location is a must, so that you can physically practice doing venipunctures.
Most training programs can take anywhere between a few months to a year, depending on whether you are looking to be fully certified or not. So you need to look for a program that will work on a timeline that works for you.
What you should expect in a phlebotomy training program
You will have both classroom learned skills and hands on skills during your training. In the classroom you will train in the following areas:
-
Physiology and Anatomy of the Body
-
Laboratory Procedures
-
Venipuncture (the art of drawing blood)
-
Basic First Aid and CPR
The hands on side of your training will involve practicing venipuncture on real people, something that is usually done on other students or volunteers. In most cases you will need to have done a minimum of 50 successful venipunctures before you can be certified.
So, there is a lot to consider before you take on a training program, decide if you want to be fully certified or not and choose what direction you want to take with this career. This is why its so important to do your research on a career in Phlebotomy before choosing the course that is right for you.
My experience in writing has covered a variety of subjects and began when I was quite young. I've always had an interest in English Literature and Poetry and have had some published works of my own. But my love for writing took me down the path of teaching or rather writing about subjects in a way that people would understand.
I'm very flexible and find that, with a bit of research, I can write on subjects I am not familiar with pretty well. I can work some magic with a re-write or come up with a fresh piece of work. And I am always eager to work with the person requesting the article and receive feedback on how to make my work better when needed.
In 2000 I joined a company that taught courses online for various technical and software programs. I began writing summaries of the various courses as well as updating and creating web content for their main and student sites. In 2006 I was picked up by a well know online Astrology site to write their weekly horoscopes and personal astrology reports. And, in 2010 I had the chance to write newsletters and promos for a popular Tarot SMS company.
Here are some examples of my work for clients:
http://www.gettingridofskintags.net/ (All articles written by myself)
http://julesoftheearth.com/wp/ (All articles written by myself)
https://www.c-one.net/ (All articles written by myself)
https://www.northernvirginiahomepro.com/ballston-real-estate/ (Have written most of the articles throughout this site)
http://www.asktheanswer.com/blog-Manifesting-The-Law-of-Attraction
https://www.naturalnewsblogs.com/phlebotomy-great-career-get/
https://www.naturalnewsblogs.com/can-skin-tag-removed-naturally-without-surgery/
