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What Does a Phlebotomist Do

A phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood from patients. That’s the simple answer to the question of ‘What does a Phlebotomist Do.’ But there is more to it than that.

Besides drawing blood from patients and blood donors, it is the responsibility of the phlebotomist to talk with those patients and keep them calm during a procedure. Not surprisingly, having your blood drawn is not a pleasant experience. For those who are anxious, the phlebotomist will talk with them so that they are less nervous.

To keep things in order, it is also a responsibility to verify the patient’s information so that collections are properly labeled. The blood drawn must be labeled for the purposes of testing and processing. The phlebotomist will enter pertinent information into a database and is responsible for assembling and maintaining medical instruments.

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Phlebotomy Certification Online

Phlebotomy Certification Online: What to Expect from Web-based Courses

Online phlebotomy certification is the answer for busybodies who want to start a career as phlebotomists but are too busy to go to traditional school.

A certification course online spells convenience for individuals who cannot attend a classroom set-up. Online courses have a hands-on training for practical component of the course because the field of phlebotomy requires both theory and skills. Although classroom time is less in online courses, the programs offered online are extensive and as comprehensive as those offered in college. Online programs include modules in anatomy, physiology and laboratory methods such as venipuncture. Reading materials are usually provided as well as media-instructions via video clips or live chats for interactive learning. Minimum hands-on hours are still required for students who are enrolled in a certification program online before they can graduate.

Most schools and online training programs require a high school diploma before enrollment in any course. Applicants are also encouraged to do volunteer work in a blood clinic or any form of laboratory work to increase their chances of acceptance in a phlebotomy program. It is also important to choose a program that is accredited since most employers hire graduates from recognized institutions over programs that do not meet the standards of any national certifying organization. Online phlebotomy certification programs and diploma courses can be finished in 3 months while associate programs in phlebotomy can take up to 18 months. If you are serious about a career in phlebotomy then a college degree can take generally 2 years to finish.

After you obtain a phlebotomy certification online, there are many job opportunities for phlebotomists in a variety of settings which include hospitals, blood banks, private clinics and research laboratories.

If you think you are too busy to go back to school then it is best to consider an online phlebotomy certification course. Whatever schedule you have, you can view materials in your own time and convenience. Studying online while keeping a full-time job is possible with web-based courses. Get your phlebotomy certification online now – it’s convenient, comprehensive and extensive.

Phlebotomy License

In order to obtain your Phlebotomy certification which then results in the candidate being issued with their Phlebotomy License, an examination has to be written and passed. Whoever conducts this examination, the state you live in or the US government, it is proof that a qualified Phlebotomist will be allowed to practice as a certified Phlebotomist. Not all US states insist in this certification, but in California – they are very strict – no license, no practice, no work.

The Importance of being a Licensed Phlebotomist

Whether the Phlebotomy study course took a year or 6 months to complete, or maybe even a 4 year long and involved degree, a license is required to show that you have reached the required standard to become a practicing Phlebotomist. Skill and experience are not enough – understand that very clearly. An uncertified Phlebotomist will not progress very well in her career as there will be this continual doubt in the employers mind about just how she qualified…

If medical science is your favorite subject, and a lot of interest is shown over the last year or so in the Phlebotomy career, then perhaps that is the path for you to follow. There are plenty of ‘on-the-job’ training courses with the emphasis on the practical nature of the job itself. And at the end of the course, find out about the certification examination and make sure the exam is taken and passed.

Without a license, mistakes can be made and they can turn into a very big issue for you if you are not protected by your license and you have no recourse to any backup from the accreditation agency. By not having a license, a person leaves himself wide open to be sued for malpractice suits and that is something really worth avoiding so early in a career.

How to Get a Phlebotomy License?

What is the procedure to follow to get a Phlebotomy license? Well, whatever school you are studying at, you have to complete the minimum number of courses they require for Phlebotomy certification. The study course must have met the Health Department guidelines set out in that State. A year or so of experience helps expand the knowledge base. States all differ in their expectations of students qualifications, but the norm is around 1 000 hours of work as a Phlebotomist in the laboratory. This counts very well towards one’s license requirements.

There are many certification schools around and agencies online who offer certification courses. At the end of it, a written examination takes place, as well as a demonstration of skills of what has been learnt and whether it has been put into practice successfully or not.

These practical skills are listed here for ease of referral:

  • preparing the patient before blood extraction / bedside manner
  • both techniques have to be demonstrated – i.e venipuncture and arterial puncture
  • quality of care shown to the patient during and after the procedure
  • methods of safety while delivering the samples to the lab, and processing the blood samples or bodily fluids specimen
  • preventative procedures used against infectious diseases
  • discuss the ethics and legalities involved in phlebotomy
  • show the quality assurance techniques used in the labs
  • show how to use the materials and reagents in the lab

If all of these points are carried out 100% correctly, the candidate is extremely deserving of his or her Phlebotomy license.

Phlebotomy Licensing Institutions

As we know by now, only 2 states require licensed Phlebotomists, but it certainly gives you a better start in the job market. The person employing a Phlebotomist with a license can be assured that they are getting a very competent member of staff – and that’s the whole point. The candidate is rated by an international or national organization and that puts employer’s minds at rest. That is why these institutions exist – to implement and carry out regulatory checks and to have an acceptable norm in the industry with which to compare applicants.

Places such as The American Society for Clinical Pathology, the National Phlebotomy Association and the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians all adhere to these standard norms and principles.

Phlebotomy Salary

Phlebotomy Salary – How Much Does a Phlebotomist Earn

young hospital workers in scrubs

A phlebotomist who has attained certification straight from training cannot handle duties that an experienced phlebotomist can handle. In the medical field performance cannot be based on how one does certain duties. Numerous aspects are involved such as how well a phlebotomist interacts with the patients and the care that phlebotomist accords to them. Gaining expertise in some fields such as venipuncture experience and time are major determinants. Handling patients irrespective of them being healthy or sick comfortably while a phlebotomist draws blood from their body is just an example of the skills that require time for one to be good at.

Several medical centers and hospitals apply a provisional style of employing newly qualified and licensed phlebotomists. During the internship most establishment do not pay their interns, while those that do pay them normally give such trainee little pay. It is important to note that there is no set average rate of salary for phlebotomists; each city, state as well as company is different. In addition, the level of education as well as experience of each phlebotomy is a huge determinant in the salary that a phlebotomist earns. Phlebotomist who work on a full time basis gets at least forty additional hours every week, while those on a part time basis gets approximately thirty hours on their timetable. It is also important to note that this will depend on the company or hospital that employs them.

Phlebotomists who work in the United States and are under the general rules of clinical laboratory technicians is said to have approximately 328,000 employees in the health care responsibility. According to statistics in the year 2009 the average pay for a phlebotomist was around $12.84 hourly or $26,710 annually. Those earning lowest pay in the scale of $ 8.28 every hour and the highest paid getting $18.73 per hour.

A newly trained phlebotomist starting salary ranges from $9.75 up to $12.5 every hour. The phlebotomist after working for a year gets a pay raise up to $10.10 to $13.4 per hour. Further after five years of service they can expect a n increase that ranges from $11 through to $14 per hour and after ten years, a phlebotomist may earn $16 per hour. Private doctors give out salaries ranging from $10-14.5 per hour. The non-profit making companies’ salary scale varies from $11.5 to $15.5 every hour. It is also noted that the highest salary is announced by those phlebotomist working for the government who also tend to enjoy huge benefit package.

As noted above, the location is a major determinant of the salary that a phlebotomist earns. According to statistics those in Boston receive the highest pay rates ranging from 13.5 to 17 dollars per hour or even to some extent more that. Chicago and Phoenix are also in a similar salary scale. In Dallas the starting pay for a phlebotomist is around $10 to $14 per hour. As in other fields phlebotomist enjoy benefits such as compensation for being on duty during holidays, compensation for sick day’s health insurance, and retirement benefits.its indeed a good career for those interested in joining the medical field.

Phlebotomy Training Education and Schools

The act of making an incision in the veins is called Phlebotomy and the person who does the venipuncture job is called a Phlebotomist. They are trained individuals who extract blood aseptically from the veins for diagnostic purposes. They commonly use intravenous catheters, syringes, evacuated collection tubes and other blood collection devices to draw blood in the laboratory, emergency rooms and in the room of patient per doctor’s order. Basically a phlebotomist collects blood specimen to help the doctors in determining the current status of the patient. Being a phlebotomist is a very risky job because they work around bloods and other specimen which makes them more exposed to blood diseases like HIV, AIDS, STD and Hepatitis B. That is why proper training is essential, not just for the patient’s safety but also for the phlebotomist himself.

Demand of Phlebotomy as a Course

Phlebotomy today is quite in demand because of the increasing number of people with disease and illness. Many people are now seeking medical assistance in every sign of physical and unnatural changes they feel in their body. Since a phlebotomist is the one responsible in getting blood samples for diagnostic purposes they are very much needed in hospitals, clinics, laboratories and companies who are into research studies. Due to this demand a lot of schools all over the U.S is opening and offering the training course program.

How to Become a Phlebotomist?

To become a certified phlebotomist the candidate must first finish a formal training course program for a recognized school or institution that offers the said program. The common requirements for the certification are: GED certificate or High School diploma, legal age to work, no criminal records or history of drugs and substance abuse, must be physically and mentally fit and completed the training program from a school accredited by the American Society for Clinical Pathology or the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians or the National Phlebotomy Association. A Phlebotomy certificate will be issued once the candidate passes the Phlebotomy Technician Examination.

Job Opportunities in the Field of Phlebotomy

Once an individual holds a Phlebotomy certification, doors will be open for employment and a bright future waits ahead. A phlebotomist usually works in the hospital laboratories and pathology department, doctor’s private clinic, diagnostic centers, community health homes and other private institutions where their services are needed. Many employers seek for a phlebotomist with great work ethics, responsible, keen observer, alert, critical thinker, steady hands and able to talk to the patient with gentleness and calmness. A good characteristic and attitude towards your work is needed to be successful in your job.

Salary Expectations of a Certified Phlebotomist

The salary of a Phlebotomist would vary from state to state, depending on the population of the area or the wage offer of the institution. The lowest annual salary based on the latest statistics is around 24,000 dollars and the highest is 29,000 dollars for an entry level phlebotomist. But once they have gained experience and more seminars and training, the yearly wage would most likely increase from 35,000 dollars to 37,000 dollars. That state that offers the biggest compensation is in New York and California while the lowest is in the state of Georgia. Nonetheless a phlebotomist earns decently.

Phlebotomy Certification

Phlebotomy Certification – 3 Steps to Become a Certified Phlebotomist

Phlebotomy is one of the many branches of medicine in which people who will want to specialize in will learn everything about drawing blood samples from patients. Following this procedure, the samples will be analyzed in a laboratory and a diagnosis will be given to the patients of an ailment or a disease. Those who work in this branch and have extensive experience in this procedure are called phlebotomists, medical assistants or phlebotomy technicians.

Practically these are the professionals who will be the first to interact with people and in most cases the role they play is vital by acting as liaisons between laboratories, patients and doctors. In the last years it seems that the demand for such professionals has increased a lot and individuals now have greater chances of pursuing the career of a phlebotomist. To be more precise, the BLS reported a yearly growth of seventeen percent for the positions available in the healthcare industry. But before anyone could become a phlebotomist, they will have to consider the right school and then get a Phlebotomy Certification.

Becoming a Certified Phlebotomist

For those who are seriously thinking about having a career in phlebotomy, they will have to first of all get a Phlebotomy Certification. Getting it is currently mandatory only in 2 states numbering Louisiana and California. But even though people who want to get in this field don’t live in these states, it’s better that they’ll get the certification as soon as possible. It’s a universal rule that employees will always favor those who are properly trained, schooled and certified rather than those who are not. This is even truer in the medical industry where just a single mistake can mean a potentially very harmful lawsuit. When professionals hold a Phlebotomy Certification they are actually guaranteeing their employers that they are experts who have the right training and knowledge required for the job and that they’ve also passed the national phlebotomy certification examination.
Training

When people will want to start preparing for the certification exam they will first of all need to consider attending a phlebotomy training program. There are plenty of schools out there offering training programs that yield a certification and provide the individual with the practical know-how and theoretical knowledge to perform procedures specific to this branch. More to that, when these programs will be considered, they will also prepare the individual for the phlebotomy certifying exam.
In general if someone decides to follow one such course he or she will need to spend a maximum of eight months studying. Some of the things the curriculum includes numbers clinical internship, laboratory hours and classroom hours.

Patience

When looking for a phlebotomy training program people will have to be careful and not hurry with it. The program should be approved by the local Department of State or Department of Health. No one should waste their hard earned money and time by going with a program that will not prepare them properly and make them eligible for writing a certifying examination. On top of that, those who want can easily get the full list of approved phlebotomy training programs in their area by getting in touch with their local Department of Public Health.
After people will have completed their training program they will only have to go ahead and register themselves for a certifying examination. Everyone can choose to take the examination at any of the current list of ten accredited institutions in the USA. If people have an employer they are targeting, before taking the examination they should inquire the institution about the preferred accreditation. Even though in regards to the examination pattern of each such institution, it can be a little different, the individual is tested based on the same curriculum and on top of that he or she will also have to go through a practical session.

The reasons for pursuing a Career in Phlebotomy

It’s very well known that anyone who dreams of having a great career in the medical field will have to be prepared for many years of hard work and dedication. This is practically the case with all other medical practices in the medical industry, yet regarding phlebotomy, things are not that tough. It may come as a surprise, but those who are looking for becoming a certified phlebotomist will only need to have a high school diploma and then follow a training program that will yield a certification and finally, take the certification exam. It’s not as hard as people think it is.

Yet the easiness of becoming one such professional is not the only reason to why there are so many people who are considering this career path. For one, having a job in the medical industry is very rewarding. It’s quite amazing when thinking about the feeling one can get when thinking that he saved someone’s life today. There is no greater reward in the world than knowing people can save the life of other people every single day.

On another note, certified phlebotomists don’t really have to work in a hospital, because their choice of workplaces is really diverse. For instance they can work in physicians’ offices, plasma centers, independent laboratories, blood banks and so forth. The ability of these professionals to practically choose where they want to work is something that has made this branch very popular.

Last but not least, there is also the financial factor involved and everyone knows that the wages phlebotomists get are not to be ignored at all. The research conducted by the BLS informed the public that professionals working in this branch will earn around thirty eight thousand dollars per year on average.

As this article states, becoming a phlebotomist only involves a few simple steps and the best thing about it is that individuals don’t need to consider a lot of training nor have extreme knowledge. All it takes is some pure dedication and an innate will for helping individuals who need help that only phlebotomists can offer them.