Phlebotomy Careers

Considering Careers as Phlebotomy Instructors

The practice of Phlebotomy is the operation of collecting blood from a patient for the purpose of testing or diagnosis. Many medical professionals employ this skill in fields such as doctors, medical assistants, paramedics and also clinical scientists. To be able to practice this profession, correct certification is required by law in only two US states. However, this is definitely an advantage to anyone looking to practice this type of medical work.

The role exists mainly to relieve doctors and nurses heavy workload by having an expert focusing solely on this aspect of the patient’s diagnosis. Training institutions and community colleges hire phlebotomy instructors to teach the phlebotomy curriculum in a classroom or laboratory setting.

Under the assistance and guidance of phlebotomy instructors, the phlebotomy students are required to complete both the two semesters. In the first semester, the subject matter regards that of human anatomy, HIPPA Laws, physiology, medical technology, laboratory safety precautions and theoretical concepts of phlebotomy. In the second semester, phlebotomy instructors are expected to teach and demonstrate the different procedures regarding blood collection, to the students.

Phlebotomy Instructors

Phlebotomy instructors have a Master’s Degree in Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, more than a year of practice in clinical laboratory science, hold a LPN or RN registration, CPT-1 License, extensive clinical experience in Medical Technology and 1 year of teaching experience; these are the key factors needed to be an effective phlebotomy instructor.

In fact, they need to inform their phlebotomy students about the accurate details of HIPPA laws since the confidentiality, protections and privacy of the patients are often at stake.

Instructing teachers have strong presentation skills and good written communication ability mainly due to them needed to portray information to the students in the best possible way for their learning to be of a high standard. For example, in human anatomy and physiology, they need to ensure that their students are well educated on body systems (lymphatic, muscular, circulatory, cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory and skeletal systems) and how they work.

Likewise, they must be adept in research which is essential in phlebotomy as new technologies and understanding can be achieved this way.

Computer proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel are vital since most of the time, they are creating their own resources, handouts and activities for their students.

Further, being patience, diplomatic, sensitive and understanding is necessary as the characteristics of phlebotomy instructors are not only one of a professional practitioner but also a mentor. For instance, some phlebotomy students may not be the same in their learning styles, abilities and disabilities, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and this would require understanding and a varied teaching style in order to get the subject matter across proficiently.

Instructors play an important role not only in planning and organizing the facilities and resources for their students moreover make their teaching is effective. Sometimes, the thoughts and manner of teachers could have an extended influence on students whether it is positive or negative. That’s why the instructors need to be careful in their teaching styles.

The better understanding of the real life situations such as a fear of needles or being likely to faint at the first sight of blood helps the students to realize that they must communicate effectively to the patient or donor before going on. The caring attitudes of phlebotomy instructors will increase the possibility that their students will also have concern for the safety of their patients.

Remember, the first requirement of any hospital before hiring phlebotomists is to ensure that they are properly trained and have passed the certification process. Certification gives assurance to the hospitals that the phlebotomists are well trained and effective at their role.

Top 5 Reasons to Become a Phlebotomist

A phlebotomist’s main responsibility is to draw blood samples from patients for the purpose of medical testing. A phlebotomy technician is the actually person withdrawing the blood. This position has several advantages over other health-related and nursing careers. Here are the top 5 reasons to become a certified phlebotomy technician.

1. Becoming a phlebotomist is relatively quick and easy. Unlike most profession health degrees and certifications, phlebotomists do not require extensive schooling to become certified. All that is usually required is to attend some training classes, usually at a community college, and then pass an exam. Some states do not even require this much! These courses and exam can be completed in under a year.

2. The return on investment is quite high for a phlebotomy technician. The amount of studying and training work that goes into becoming certified is minimal compared to other careers. You will be spending few hours in classes, and not very much money, but when you are finished you will emerge with a full certification in a health related field. This is enough to get you in the door of a doctor’s office or clinic and can pave the way for you to move up to your desired career path.

3. Currently, there are many open positions requiring the skills a trained phlebotomist possesses. Besides drawing blood samples, a phlebotomist is also good at organization, administrative work, and laboratory familiarity. This knowledge is enough to find a job in a related health field as well, not necessarily phlebotomy, if one chooses to deviate.

4. The services of a phlebotomy technician are required in numerous places. There is not a clinic, doctor’s office, hospital, or other health-related center that is not in need of an employee with the skills a phlebotomist possesses.

5. The pay rate for a certified phlebotomy technician is quite high compared to other jobs. Because phlebotomy is classified as a health-related field, the compensation is comparable to other beginning salaries in other health careers specializing in high responsibility and high level of detail.

These are just the top 5 reasons to become a certified phlebotomy technician. A phlebotomy technician certification is a great way to begin your employment and jump start your career. High pay and high rewards are some of the benefits you will receive when working in this field. You will be able to help those in need and provide for people who need your services. The amount of time you spend preparing yourself will pay itself back many times over. Keep these tips in mind when you are looking for your next position.

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 Jobs

Phlebotomy Jobs – A Fast Growing Career in Clinical Laboratory Field

With a great requirement for phlebotomists and training for phlebotomy being relatively short, there is a high demand for careers in phlebotomy. Phlebotomy is a vital part of today’s extremely modern and vast medical field. In a medical team, phlebotomist is important as a doctor. To become a phlebotomy, you have to pass phlebotomy certification exam. Basically, phlebotomists are specialized member of medical unit, whose focus in the section of collection and preservation of blood specimens for diagnostic uses. They sanitize all the required equipments like syringe before used to collect blood and safely dispose all the items after the entire procedure.

In the current market, there is a great demand for phlebotomy jobs because of the contribution from healthcare and early medical testing services. Blood banks, hospitals, laboratories constantly look for and hire skilled phlebotomist.

The phlebotomist carries out all the tasks related to collecting blood specimens, preserving, labeling and proper storing. In addition to clinical technician work, phlebotomist can work as blood bank manager. Also with extra training, he/she can pursue career as medical assistants where he/she can perform additional duties like checking patient vitals.
To pursue the career in phlebotomy, you must complete a formalized training by receiving either an associate’s degree or a certificate. The training may include a study in human anatomy, techniques in blood collection and procedures about storing and labeling of samples as well as safety precautionary measures.

Depending upon the type, the training period may vary from six months to twenty four months. Once you complete training, you must become certified to start working with the patients in your state. There are many training schools available to offer training in phlebotomy. Most of the employers only hire phlebotomist who has passed the phlebotomy certification exam. In order to take this exam, you should have completed the training program from a certified training school. Also you should demonstrate hundred vein-punctures and twenty five skin-punctures successfully.

Along with a Phlebotomy certification, as a phlebotomist, you need some specialized skills. It includes excellent hand-eye movements, attention to details, good organization skills, passionate and caring towards the patients and you should not be shy and fainthearted when it comes to blood and urine. Most of the patients are afraid of needles. Therefore, the first thing you should do is to make the patient at ease. Also you should be able to treat emotional and angry patients with love and care.
The benefits of choosing careers in phlebotomy are numerous.

According to U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the current decade, from 2008 to 2018, the growth of jobs in clinical laboratory field will be faster than the average of any other occupations. Job opportunities in this field, especially phlebotomy jobs will be tremendous; because of the number of job openings will remain to go past the number of job searchers.

So, if you are for dynamic career in clinical laboratory field, then phlebotomy is the right choice for you. The average salary for a phlebotomist is $29,040. Matched with pay scale, is the flexible work hours that make careers in phlebotomy even more exciting.

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 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.

Phlebotomy Careers

Lift Up Your Career As A Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomy technician is a person who works as a part of a medical team and collects blood samples. He does this by making a small surgical cut on the vein known as veni-puncture and takes a little quantity of blood for testing in a laboratory. A person who does this is termed as a Phlebotomist.

Duties

A duty of a Phlebotomy Technician is to take samples of blood and urine as well as explain the procedure to the patients. If ever you have given blood samples then you have met a Phlebotomist. His job is not only to take samples but to keep up to date awareness and knowledge of new drug testing laws and assist the patients. If ever you have given a blood sample then you might have been nervous because of the incision. Most kids and some adults also feel intimidated with the incision procedure. Then the duty of the phlebotomy technician is to keep you calm, and reduce your anxiety. He also needs to check the pulse rate, blood pressure and respiration rate. Apart from this a Phlebotomist performs a lot of lab duties. He has to transfer the samples for lab analysis and keep the record of every patient updated.

Training and education for Phlebotomy

To become a phlebotomy technician, it’s vital to enroll in a training program where you will be trained and educated about various clinical procedures both theoretical and practical. To enroll you need to meet the minimum criterion that is a high school diploma. In a few states you would not require training; instead you can directly do the OJT (on the job training) where you will learn all techniques required to be a Phlebotomy technician.

If the requirement says you need a course then the course content may vary from college to college. It also depends on what kind of phlebotomy skills you would want to develop. You will be taught about techniques of blood collection, needle techniques, CPR, Interaction with patients and various other legal issues. These programs are short term and can be completed within 6 to 10 weeks.

After the training you would need to be certified and for that you need to give a competency exam. Moreover, gain an ample amount of work experience. You would also require a license to work in this particular field and take an intense extensive training. As a phlebotomy technician you would need to work under the supervision of a physician or an experienced laboratory scientist and get use of daily activities involved in a clinic, hospital, office, blood donation center etc.

Career Prospects

Career as a Phlebotomist has a huge potential and the statistics reveal that in US the expected job growth will be 14% in the next decade. One can expect a flourishing career in this field but should also be prepared for ample of hard work. As the job of a phlebotomy technician is very challenging, it’s important to be focused and dedicated in the field. The future shows that medical technology is going to be more advanced and faster. Thus there are going to be dynamic job opportunities and great monetary security as well.