Phlebotomy Careers
Popular Phlebotomy Schools |
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||
View Info
3 Reviews
Phlebotomy Career Overview
Phlebotomy is concerned with the drawing of blood for use in clinical laboratory analysis and blood collection. They not only draw the blood of patients and blood donors, but they also carry out related clerical and routine laboratory tasks.
In some labs, they also enter lab results into a computer. Because phlebotomists are often a patient's only contact with a medical laboratory, they should possess a good bedside manner. They must be able to calm patients who are anxious or nervous, and make pleasant small talk while they perform unpleasant tasks.
Drawing blood is a delicate microsurgical procedure, therefore phlebotomists must have significant training to prepare for this responsibility. They must work well (and with accuracy) while under pressure. Safety is essential and phlebotomists must take all precautions to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.
Though blood-drawing tasks may seem routine and repetitive, the work of a phlebotomist is an extremely important component of the medical laboratory team. Phlebotomists are good with people, are able to perform a variety of important duties, and are an integral part of the medical process.
Search Phlebotomy SchoolsPhlebotomy Training & Education
Phlebotomists are trained to work in hospitals, labs, and other medical facilities, and often work alongside nurses and doctors in dealing with patients. A career in phlebotomy requires certification and training in how to use needles, vacuum tubes, and syringes.
Training to become a phlebotomist can take anywhere from nine to 24 months. This includes formal theoretical training and supervised practice. Recommended education covers a wide variety of subjects including genetics, immunology, blood groups, collection and storage of blood and components, donor processing, immune mechanisms, general administration, personnel administration, education and automated data processing.
Phlebotomy Career & Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of clinical lab workers, including phlebotomy technicians, is expected to grow as the volume of laboratory tests increases with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.
This is particularly true of well-trained phlebotomy technicians, because many employers have reported difficulties finding fully qualified applicants. While salaries vary depending on location and the place of employment, in 2003, the median salary for a phlebotomist was between $10.50 and $11.13 an hour.
Career Fields/Specializations
Phlebotomy Technician Career
Phlebotomy technicians are responsible for a wide array of duties, and as a result, they must be trained in a number of different skills. Personal traits that are helpful for phlebotomists to hold are:
- Great attention to detail
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Good personal relations with patients
- Organizational skills
Due to the importance of the role, phlebotomists adhere to the same confidentiality restrictions as doctors and nurses. They must be trustworthy and strictly follow safety precautions. In addition, they must be able to keep accurate and up-to-date patient records and be proficient with using computers.
Blood Bank Manager Career
Blood bank managers are in charge of the procedures performed at their location. They typically administer the quality of the clinical procedures and information by ensuring unit staff uses safe, secure, and established procedures, protocols and guidelines. Normally they manage transfusion services and donor blood collection operations.
Blood bank managers are accountable for operating the budget, maintaining accreditation, assessing the quality of transfusion services, as well as for risk management for transfusion and donor operations. Blood bank managers have a wide variety of roles, and must be excellent at multi-tasking and maintaining authority over others.
Laboratory Technician Career
Clinical laboratory technicians perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests. Laboratory technicians are responsible for running tests on blood and other body fluids. They also microscopically:
- Examine blood
- Analyze body fluids
- Analyze tissues and cells
They look for bacteria, parasites and other microorganisms, and analyze the chemical content of fluids, match blood for transfusions and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment.
Laboratory technicians use automated equipment and sophisticated, expensive instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously. They also use other lab equipment, including microscopes and cell counters. Laboratory technicians are important because they have the skills to perform laboratory tests which helps patients obtain results sooner, making the process more efficient.
Blood Bank Technician Career
Blood bank technicians have a wide variety of duties. They are responsible for performing all phases of the blood bank operation. They often greet and register patients, perform the phlebotomy procedure and subsequent handling of blood products, as well as perform clerical and computerized duties. Due to the fact that blood bank technicians perform so many different tasks, it is important for such individuals to be excellent at multitasking, enjoy working with people, and be interested in the medical field.
