Understanding the Phlebotomy Profession: Training and Duties

Medical careers are one of the most rewarding on the market. This is because the careers are fulfilling to the practitioners and thus, are very promising. One of the cost common medical courses on the market is phlebotomy. The course involves learning about how to collect blood samples for donation, testing, research, and more. A student is trained on skills such as patient care and venipuncture. All these skills are important for one become a phlebotomist. Below, we will explore the phlebotomy profession as we look at the training process and the duties of the players in the profession. 

The training

Those looking to become phlebotomists are required to undergo a short training in the different skills that are taught in the profession. When the trainees complete their career, they will get certifications to prove that they have fully completed the course. 

Before you join the phlebotomy career, it is important to have all the necessary pre-requisites to get into the career. As required, potential students must have a high school diploma or GED, immunization clearance, CPR certification, and a good background check.

A course in phlebotomy usually takes less than one year. If you want to get started in this course, you can enroll in a nearby vocational school or community college. However, it is important to choose a college that has a program that suits your needs when it comes to the course. If you are a working person, you may want to explore options such as evening classes, part-time classes, and other arrangements. 

The coursework in a phlebotomy course covers a mixture of classroom instructions and hands-on training to give the student some experience. Phlebotomy includes subjects such as anatomy, medical terminology, infection control, venipuncture, specimen collection, and patient interaction. 

Most employers will look for certifications in the phlebotomy course. This includes certifications from the PBT, ASCP, CPT, and the NHA. For you to be certified as a phlebotomy practitioner there is need to pass several exams. Furthermore, you will need to do some renewals which are done by taking additional education.

The job responsibilities

A phlebotomist main role is to ensure safe, accurate, efficient handling of blood samples. This is done through different methods. Also, it is the role of a phlebotomist to ensure that the patient has cooled down as the procedure is being carried out. This ensures that the process runs smoothly and that the patient does not panic in the middle of the process. 

Patient interaction is the first role of these professionals. A phlebotomist is responsible for verifying patient identity, explaining the procedure, and monitoring the patents. If the patient bleeds too much after the procedure, it is the role of the phlebotomist to apply bandage after the draw.

A phlebotomist role goes far beyond blood collection. They first have to perform a procedure known as venipuncture which is the actual drawing of blood from the patient. They then have to label al the collection tubes with the patient's information. This includes the date of collection and the time. They then have to send the samples out to the laboratory for testing.