Phlebotomists

Phlebotomists

Phlebotomists are health care professionals who have been trained to collect patient's blood specimens by venipuncture and by microcollection techniques. The practice of phlebotomy, or the technique of venipuncture, generally refers to the collection of blood from a vein. Phlebotomists usually work under the supervision of nurses, medical technologists, or laboratory managers. Phlebotomists play an important role on the clinical laboratory team by collecting clinical laboratory specimens prior to the actual laboratory testing!

Reasons For Becoming a Phlebotomist

because it's the perfect job where you can set your own schedule

because they work for one of the best facilities around

because they enjoy flexible hours, better pay, perks and benefits

because of more choices of employment options including per diem,

contract staffing, temp to hire, direct placement, or working extra weekends a month

because of increased interest in phlebotomy around the world

Training Opportunities

Phlebotomists complete either on-the-job training, crosstrain from another health care profession that require blood drawing skills, or a formal phlebotomy program. However, in California new phlebotomy regulations were adopted into law and signed by the Secretary of State on January 9, 2003 with an effective date of April 9, 2003

where all new phlebotomy students need to obtain:

High school graduate transcripts or GED

40 hours classroom (didactic) instruction

40 hours practical training

50 venipunctures & 10 skin punctures

Work Environment

Phlebotomists typically work in hospitals, commercial laboratories, physician's offices, blood banks, pharmaceutical firms, home health agencies, research institutions, hospices, pubic health clinics, prisons, and visit patient's homes. They deal with doctors and nurses, laboratory technicians, and support workers in various locations. Needless to say, on their rounds they will deal with both healthy and sick patients, from infants to the elderly.

Work Hours

Phlebotomists usually work regular office hours (Mo-Fr 8 AM to 5 PM). Sometimes they may have to work on weekends. Phlebotomists need to have an up-to-date First Aid Certificate, and they need to have a driver's licence if they are required to travel to collect samples.

Salary

The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that earnings vary widely and pay levels are governed chiefly by experience and qualifications. Once established, these highly skilled professionals are earning impressive wages everywhere they are. Currently the average salary is $18,000 - $26,000 for phlebotomists.

Educational Requirements

People interested in becoming phlebotomists should have a high school diploma or an equivalent.

Although many phlebotomists are trained on the job or transition over from other health careers,

1 year phlebotomy programs are offered at vocational/technical schools awarding diplomas.

2 year phlebotomy programs are offered at community colleges awarding associate's degrees.

Skills Refinement

As with so many jobs learning does not end upon graduation. Since this is a hands-on profession, skills that were taught in the classroom are refined on the job. As the number of blood draws increases, the more confidence is gained, and the better the blood drawing techniques become.

Professional Continuing Education

In addition to taking continuing education courses through web sites or professional magazines phlebotomists can attend professional continuing education courses and participate in workshops often offered at local hospitals to keep their knowledge up to date and maintain their credentials.

Professional Certification

Professional Associations