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Important Tips to Gain Your Phlebotomy Certification

October 11, 2010 By

There has been much advancement in the medical field in recent years that has led to the need for better standards for the service providers.  People in general expect a tested professional to perform health care and medical tasks on them when they are in a hospital.
One of the areas that requires expertise is the taking of blood to be analyzed and studied to determine what problems the patient might have.  The person doing this work must be certified and trained professionally.

Nurses are trained in the art of drawing blood for testing per the directions of the licensed doctor.  Not so long ago, the nurse was the primary person who took blood samples, but due to specialization and also to the shortage of qualified nurses, it has become necessary to use phlebotomists in their stead.

Phlebotomy has become a specialized function in the medical field born out of the need for more professional services conducted by those who can meet strict safety requirements.

It is a common concept in hospitals; there is a demand for those who are well trained in taking blood samples.  Many countries as well as America have begun to understand the importance of trained and certified phlebotomists.  Although most of the job centers on taking blood for analysis, it is very important to perform that task without error.

It is very important to perform this task in the proper way, as the phlebotomist is taught in their studies.  A trained professional knows the different ways available to take blood, such as through capillary bodies, venipuncture, or from the arteries.

The mere task of locating veins in a person’s hand is not something to be performed by the novice.  A phlebotomist knows the exact point of the vein to place the needle.

When the needle is placed, it must be done under sterile conditions and the patient should not be placed in great pain or duress.  An untrained person attempting to perform the task might stick the needle in a bone or muscle, which could lead to complications along with unnecessary pain.

The only way to get proper certification as a phlebotomist is by enrolling in an accredited school and taking course studies that include theoretical education in blood characteristics, the ways that blood is important to the body, and how blood communicates what diseases and ailments people have.

Schools teach the ways that blood is stored as well as how to extract it.  Safety and precautionary techniques are stressed and taught in great detail.  Along with theory, practical training is vital in schools for phlebotomy.  Students receive professional instruction so that they will have the strictest regard for their work as they handle blood and other bodily fluids.

The student who successfully completes the course will receive a certification that allows him or her to find work in many different health care and medical facilities.

Filed Under: Phlebotomy Certification, Phlebotomy technician, Phlebotomy Training Tagged With: , , ,

Available Careers in the Field of Phlebotomy

October 11, 2010 By

Finding a job position isn’t a problem when you become certified as a phlebotomist.  There are job opportunities in many medical and related fields.  Becoming trained in the skill of taking blood for any of the many necessary reasons qualifies a person for many career paths.  Hospitals are just one of the places where a phlebotomist can find a position.

Hospitals do provide jobs for the majority of the phlebotomists because that’s where much of the blood work is done for patients.  A certified phlebotomist does the work that was once left to nurses.

The job description not only encompasses taking blood for testing, but the trained technician can also administer injections.  Hospitals can employ phlebotomists and greatly reduce the nursing staff required for shift work.

A private practice of a doctor is another place you will find phlebotomy jobs.  The same tasks that are carried out at the hospital are performed on a regular basis at a physician’s office.

It’s a matter of preference for the individual because the doctor’s office often has a more appealing atmosphere than the hospital.  Doctors prefer hiring those who are certified as medical assistants in addition to phlebotomy so they can fill two positions with one individual.

People working in blood mobiles are usually phlebotomists.  Taking blood donations from volunteers is an important part of the medical profession and you see the large mobile units in many places.

It is not as challenging as hospital or clinical work because the work is very repetitive.  Going to the same areas and performing the same tasks monotonously does prove boring to some people, but it is a good way for the beginning phlebotomist to gain the experience that is needed for the position.

Some jobs require a more seasoned and experienced phlebotomist.  The person who has not only performed many venipunctures, but has drawn blood from arteries where the blood pressure is different, is much more in demand for some duties.  The two tasks are treated differently.  Additionally, many people who do the hiring want someone accustomed to the use of IV lines.

Phlebotomists perform saline flushes and are able to give heparin to patients in some states.  This is because the laws are not the same everywhere.  Sometimes special training is required by the state before the phlebotomist can handle these kinds of tasks.

Many certified people work at blood banks as either the managers or the technicians taking the blood.  For those who don’t want to limit the procedures they can do, it makes perfect sense to seek certification as medical assistants.  This opens up many more opportunities.

Whatever your goals might be, starting as a phlebotomist is great way to begin in the medical profession.  It doesn’t have to be a life long career move, for many phlebotomists go on to become laboratory technicians or work in other health care related positions, as well.

Filed Under: Phlebotomy Certification, Phlebotomy technician, Phlebotomy Training Tagged With: , ,

Required Skills for a Successful Career as a Phlebotomist

October 11, 2010 By

A successful phlebotomist knows that staying abreast of new innovations and technologies is a necessary part of the position.  As new technologies are developed and introduced, the medical profession must advance with them.  Drawing blood regularly promotes skills in the practical field, but this coupled with the instruction in school isn’t the only demand of the job.

Proper technique spares dangerous errors in false or incomplete test results.  When the blood is taken, the right procedures will ensure that the patient isn’t hurt and doesn’t suffer greatly from the experience.  A number of problems can ensue if the phlebotomist does a bad job such as hematomas, nerve injury, or anticoagulant reflux.  Improper handling of samples can also cause a compromise in results.

The first checkpoint for a patient is to determine the correct identification.  This can be done verbally if the patient is capable, or by a wristband if the patient is not conscious.  While taking blood, the phlebotomist must regard the feelings of the patient by letting him or her know what the procedure requires.

Labeling of collection tubes and correctly identifying samples is important to a good phlebotomist, as well as using those materials that are specified by the doctor or technical staff.  Different types of blood have to be handled differently, and the phlebotomist has to know that.

There’s a bit of an art to locating the best area to draw the blood from and minimize the pain to the patient.  There is also an order to drawing blood and following these guidelines lessens the chances of something going amiss with the samples.  Blood placed in the collection tubes must be documented immediately to be certain that the technicians know who it belongs to and what tests are to be performed.

The phlebotomist must learn to note the general health of the patient when taking blood in the various ways that include finger sticking, capillary puncture, and venipuncture.  It is important to document gender, allergies or health problems, and all medications the patient is taking.  Every patient must be told what to expect and how to prepare for the procedure.

All the variables concerning the patient and the procedure are documented at the time the blood is taken down to the exact location of the tourniquet.  The phlebotomist knows where the primary, secondary, and all alternative areas from which to draw blood are.  It is of great importance to know how to control infection and keep the patient and everyone else concerned safe during the procedure and follow up.

Each individual is different, and this means a phlebotomist must learn how differences affect the procedure and the patient.  The accomplished blood taker uses the information of the patient to make decisions about how best to proceed.

Anyone taking blood has to be able to change a set procedure because of extenuating circumstances.  If properly trained in phlebotomy, the different options are known ahead of time so there is no problem for the person drawing the sample to do whatever it takes to perform the procedure, and the trained individual will make fewer mistakes.

Filed Under: Phlebotomy Certification, Phlebotomy technician, Phlebotomy Training Tagged With: , , ,

The Services Included in the Phlebotomy Profession

October 11, 2010 By

If you thought phlebotomy was only about physically taking blood from someone, you are mistaken.  This is a very critical and valuable service that involves more activities than just the brief procedure of drawing blood.  Phlebotomists are responsible for being sure the samples are correctly marked and that they get to the right technicians for testing.

Due to the way disease travels in human blood, there is a risk to the phlebotomist during the process of handling bodily fluids from sick people.  It is a situation where the person taking blood is required to be careful for his or her own safety as well as that of the patient.

A doctor, nurse, or other qualified degreed professional should supervise the phlebotomist while the procedure is taking place, but the person taking the blood has to be careful that everything stays sterile to avoid contamination.

Although everyone does not maintain records the same way, it is vitally important that a phlebotomist understand the importance of filing and documentation required to be sure that there are no mistakes in identification.  Paperwork is another part of blood samples that has to be done as the samples are taken.  It is important that samples be traced from the time they are taken back to the return of the results.

How the blood is disposed of after tests are run on it is another responsibility of the phlebotomist.  A blood sample with a dangerous disease can be sickening or even fatal if someone is exposed.  Established phlebotomists train new interns to provide a safety net against risks and mistakes that might occur.

Not all blood is taken in the controlled environment of a doctor’s office or a hospital.  Sometimes it is necessary to take blood at a sick person’s home or in the field, and this presents more responsibility for getting the sample back to the lab.

When other tests are to be performed on a sample, it is the phlebotomist that must make certain it is handled as required.  Tracking each sample in the lab to make sure it is not contaminated and correctly tested is the responsibility of the phlebotomist.

Proper education in phlebotomy requires attending school online, at a technical school, at a university or college, or through a certified training program conducted by the proper authorities.  It is possible to get an associate’s degree at most community colleges or universities.  Proper registration is required in some states before a person can perform phlebotomy procedures.

By the year 2012, the demand for personnel to take blood will rise sharply.  Present salaries vary greatly and depend on the employer and the amount of experience a person has.  As the demand continues, salaries will probably escalate higher and certification will be required before a person can receive a job as a phlebotomist.

Phlebotomy is not considered an emergency room type situation, and as such, certified personnel generally work day shifts.  This is an attractive feature in this part of health care because so many others in the medical profession must work at odd times depending on accidents and sudden sicknesses.

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Career Opportunities in Healthcare – Become a Phlebotomist

October 11, 2010 By

One of the primary reasons so many people go into the medical and health care fields is because they are recession proof careers.  No matter how the economy stands, people will always get sick, have accidents, or get older and need health care.

Phlebotomy is an occupation that is a great fit for anyone who desires a career in the medical field, and it provides for excellent benefits, compensation, and a rewarding satisfaction because it is a necessary service that helps others.  A person with the right attitude in health care can have a rewarding career in many ways.

The simple process of taking blood samples is also one of the most important.  Phlebotomy teaches the best ways to perform the task given the circumstances of the patient.  A doctor or nurse generally directs or supervises the process, but the phlebotomist must be adept at the procedure.

The concentrated effort of the phlebotomist is to extract samples as painlessly as possible while maintaining a professional decorum.  Immediately upon completion of the task, the phlebotomist marks the sample and documents it with the patient’s information.  When the blood work is done, the job requires follow up and assistance in any required testing.

A phlebotomist must work with doctors, nurses, and the lab to assure that no mistakes are made in testing procedures and an accurate account of the patient’s condition can be ascertained.

If you desire a career move into phlebotomy, you will need to plan on undergoing instruction and training so you will test under the proper authority to receive certification for the profession.  A good reason to consider this area of the medical profession is the short length of time it takes to become certified, which is less than any other medical training.

After certification, there are opportunities in private practice as well as the public sector where a phlebotomist can seek employment.  The medical profession has become so specialized that the jobs in phlebotomy abound at all medical and/or health care facilities.

There is a great deal of shift work in hospitals, but the phlebotomist does not generally follow that norm, making for a better work to personal life career.  Blood samples are usually taken at specific times, which most often fall in the regular hours of nine to five.  This provides a great way to assist in the medical field and maintain a normal sleep pattern.

It’s important to have people skills when practicing phlebotomy because it is generally a one on one interaction with the patient and sometimes the patient’s family.  No other person from the laboratory department has this unique and responsible position.

The phlebotomist learns to be patient with every person and have a pleasant bedside manner for the brief times spent with the individuals.  Most of the time, the phlebotomist will spend documenting and keeping records of the patients and monitoring the tests performed.

It should be clearly apparent that a career in phlebotomy is both satisfying and important.  The ease of which training can be completed only adds to the attraction of this medical occupation.

Filed Under: Phlebotomy Certification, Phlebotomy technician, Phlebotomy Training Tagged With: , , ,

How to Prepare for the Phlebotomy Test

October 11, 2010 By

Anywhere you go in the United States, you will not be allowed to take blood from patients if you aren’t competent to do the work, and in most places you will need to be a certified phlebotomist.  The only way to achieve that is by going through a testing procedure.

The majority of the phlebotomists that work in hospitals and other places where blood is taken learned their craft in a school or university, but there are those who trained strictly in practice.  Phlebotomy certification requires passing an exam that proves a person’s abilities fundamentally and in action.

The way a person prepares isn’t as important as learning how and what to do and the proper safeguards to follow.  There is never a guarantee that anyone will pass an examination, but going to school on the subject provides a much better opportunity for success.

The Best Way to Proceed

It’s not possible for anyone to take the exam and pass without studying material related to phlebotomy.  Just knowing how to draw blood from a patient does not qualify a person if they aren’t clear on laboratory procedures and other pertinent information on how blood is analyzed.  Reading and comprehending information about this process is essential.

After reading and covering all the materials necessary, it is a great idea to take practice tests to assure that you have learned the information sufficiently.

You will find practice examinations on the internet that will aid in preparation, most of them being very close to the actual legitimate tests given for certification.  You will need to correctly answer true and false problems and also multiple choice questions.

Memorization is an important part of any learning concept, and if you prepare yourself to remember the major points of study, you should be able to complete tests with ease.  The more times you cover the material and test your memory on specific points, the more information you will retain.  Speaking answers and information out loud has proven to be a great learning and retention tool.

The use of flash cards is another excellent way to form memory patterns because while you create flash cards for questions and/or definitions, you are learning the material by writing and reading it.

The American Society of Clinical Pathology often presents teleconferences that have sessions to discuss how a person prepares for the exam.  You can attend several sessions so that you are well prepared for phlebotomy testing.

No amount of preparation will be of use if you are not emotionally ready to take the exam.  Confidence comes when you have the mindset that you know everything on the test, but you have to keep from being nervous and doubting yourself.  Preparing yourself mentally and physically will assure a much better examination score.

However you find peace or calmness, you should practice doing so before the test.  With proper rest and nutrition, you will be more alert and much less likely to make mistakes or suffer poor judgment during the testing.  Do whatever it takes to be sure you are completely ready for this important examination.

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Tips for Entering the Medical Profession – Attending Phlebotomy Classes

October 11, 2010 By

Many jobs are affected by the economy, but the medical and healthcare fields are always areas in need of employees, and that makes this profession an ideal one in which to pursue a career.  Everyone needs health care and medical assistance at some point in their lives.

People live longer than they once did due to medical advancements and the generation that produced so many children is reaching the retirement time of their lives.  More and more qualified professionals will be needed in the ensuing years.

Everyone cannot be a doctor or registered nurse, but it is relatively easy to get into the medical profession as a phlebotomist by attending classes.  You only are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent to begin studies.  It’s a career to choose if you have the aptitude for it and want to assist people in need.

It is almost a given that blood work will be required when someone visits a doctor with an unknown ailment.  Blood is the key for diagnosing most known diseases and sicknesses.  When a doctor needs to perform tests or study a patient’s blood, he calls on a phlebotomist.

If you seek training to be a phlebotomist, you can find many places to obtain it; for instance, hospitals or medical clinics often hold classes in phlebotomy to train interested students in how to take blood.  Colleges and vocational schools are other places to receive institutional training.

However you receive instruction, make sure the school or sponsor is accredited prior to signing up.  If you want to work for a real hospital or medical facility, you have to be trained at an accredited institution.  Just learning the information will not legally make you a phlebotomist.

Of course, phlebotomy classes instruct the ways to go about taking blood and the steps leading up to and following the procedure, but you also will learn how to perform the procedure carefully and safely so there is no danger to the patient.  In addition to this, you will learn the primary systems within the body including the urinary, skeletal, circulatory, and respiratory.  The anatomy in general is covered as well.

One of the most important things to learn in phlebotomy is how to safely take blood without infecting a patient with harmful elements in the process.  When you have successfully completed all the course studies for phlebotomy and passed tests to ensure that you understand what you are doing, you are ready to receive a certificate.

After you have achieved the certificate and become a certified phlebotomist, you will be able to begin work in a health care or medical environment.  Since it only takes about 3 months to take online courses, this is by far the fastest and easiest way to get started in the medical field.

After working under a practicing phlebotomist for a short time, you can receive a proficiency test to qualify for a phlebotomy position of your own.

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Phlebotomy Technician What You Need To Know

September 18, 2010 By

A phlebotomist is trained in the art of drawing blood more specifically known as venipuncture. This involves the removal of blood from the body by a human to diagnose a disease, experimentation or for a blood transfusion. If is one of many jobs in the healthcare filed and usually requires a college certification to practice.

Sometimes a phlebotomist might get on the job training, e.g. if they work in a doctors office where they may take blood in the day to day seeing of patients where they use the blood for simple diagnostic tests.

Phlebotomy Technician Program

If you want to become certified as a phlebotomist then you need to get yourself to a phlebotomy technician college which can normally take between four and eighteen months. These programs are run throughout the US and can be taken online but there is obviously the practical section of the training that needs to be done face to face.

When looking for a technician college looks for a place where you will get lots of hands on training so that you can get good at taking blood. Looking for an accreditation with the ASCP as well as some type of internship or job placement so that you will have the best chance of getting a job once you have completed your degree. No-one can guarantee you a job after leaving college, but if you work hard and get good grades then it should not be too hard to get a job.

Continuing Education

Once you have passed your exam and have been fully certified you will need to participate in continuous education to keep you skill level and knowledge base in tact. This is also going to help you become more valuable to your employer as well as being good with patients and working with them to stay calm in the sight of a needle. Understand that in the patients eyes getting a needle are the most stressful part of visiting and it is your job to make their stay as pleasant as possible.

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The Art of Phlebotomoy…Is it right for you ?

August 31, 2010 By

The art of phlebotomy is the process of taking and drawing blood for sampling and collection from a patient. The skill of phlebotomy is quite a difficult skill to learn, however once mastered this special training you will be able to get a job a a hospital, research institute or laboratory.

The specialized procedures that are used for collecting blood from veins is quite new and the demand for people with these qualifications have grown over the last twenty years. Over those years procedures have become safer and the advance in technology and sterilization has allowed a more open market approach to the industry.

The study of phlebotomy prepares you to draw blood from a patient causing the least amount of pain possible. Thus to achieve that there is a lot of skill and practice that needs to be done before you are competent. You are also taught on how to contain and manage bio-hazardous materials like blood samples and sterile and used needles. Another skill that you learn is correct bedside manner with patients as this is critical in any type of healthcare role. A phlebomist must combine great skill with great compassion.

What You Will Learn

In your training you will learn a great deal about the human anatomy, needle techniques, developing patient rapport as well as safety and record keeping. You will have a theory part and a practical test handling medical equipment including spill kits, puncture devices, syringes of many different sizes, blood cultures, bandages and general medical equipment.

Like most technical teaching methods, phlebotomy training can be obtained as a 4 years bachelor’s degree or a 2 year associates degree in phlebotomy. There are also some community colleges that offer private training. These normally take about a year.

It is thus important to do your research on where you want to go to school and study about phlebotomy training. It is important that you maintain a good level of effort in your studies because there are a lot of people that fail the course and waste their money on something that they didn’t finish. When looking for a program, there are a few factors that you need to consider including reputation, time in business, how many students are enrolling, past students and where they have got jobs, what the student to teacher ratio is like, if it has any placement and hands on training, what options to they give you after to get a job. Those are just some of the things that you need to ask yourself before you get going on your phlebotomy training.

Filed Under: Phlebotomy Certification, Phlebotomy Classes, Phlebotomy Salaries, Phlebotomy Salary, Phlebotomy technician, Phlebotomy Training, Phlebotomy Training Courses Tagged With: , , ,
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