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Phlebotomy and EKG Training Information<\/h2>\n
This guide will cover the ins and outs of a career in phlebotomy and EKG training. They are two separate programs. But, they both provide you with the skills needed to make a difference in the medical field.<\/p>\n
Entry-level positions in medicine are as important as those of a nurse or physician. Hospitals, clinics, private practices, and more count on the skills of phlebotomists and EKG techs every day.<\/p>\n
What Are the Requirements?<\/h3>\n
Because phlebotomy is an entry-level job, you don’t need any prior experience before training. But, there are a few requirements most training programs will adhere to. You must be at least 18 years old to sign up for phlebotomy training. A high school diploma or GED is also required.<\/p>\n
While the grades you got in high school probably won’t affect whether you can take a training program, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the requirements.<\/p>\n
Although the following skills aren’t required, you should consider them carefully:<\/p>\n
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- Phlebotomists work with a variety of different people. This includes both patients and staff members at hospitals, clinics, etc. You should enjoy working with others and be somewhat of a ‘people person’ to do well at this job. You should also be able to work as part of a team.<\/li>\n
- Because phlebotomists work with patients, it’s crucial to have a strong bedside manner. Kindness, patience, and understanding are essential. Some people are scared of getting their blood drawn. Many others don’t like it. Being able to work with your patient to make a better experience for them is a huge part of being a phlebotomist.<\/li>\n
- As a phlebotomist, you need to be extremely organized and detail-oriented. You should have your supplies set up for each patient. You also need to be able to label and transfer blood to a lab.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you think you have the skills and personality to succeed in a phlebotomy career, keep reading to see what you can expect from a training program!<\/p>\n
Training to Become a Phlebotomy Technician<\/h3>\n
Phlebotomy technicians draw blood from patients. They then take these blood samples and store them in organized, labeled vials and transport them to a lab. Phlebotomists don’t test the samples. But, it’s their responsibility to make sure they are properly-labeled and transported safely.<\/p>\n
There’s much more to the job itself than just drawing blood. You have to understand patient safety, lab procedures, and more. In some cases, you may even need to be ready for emergency situations. This can be especially true if you work in a busy hospital.<\/p>\n
With so many responsibilities, it’s vital for a phlebotomist to receive the proper training. Training to become a phlebotomy technician<\/strong><\/a> typically takes less than a year. You can either take college courses or sign up for a specific training program. Because it’s such an in-demand career, you can even find some courses online.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nSome hospitals and clinics have even started to offer training programs for phlebotomy. They’re doing this with the hope that the people they train will work for them.<\/p>\n
So, no matter where you decide to receive your training, what can you expect? Anywhere you train, the basics will be the same. Phlebotomy training programs are usually broken down into two parts. You’ll spend the first half of your training in a classroom setting.<\/p>\n
During this time, you’ll spend your class periods learning the following:<\/p>\n
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- Human anatomy<\/li>\n
- Systems of the body (circulatory, respiratory, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Lab safety rules<\/li>\n
- Proper blood labeling for samples<\/li>\n
- Venipuncture techniques<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Of course, there is no substitute for hands-on training. So, the second half of your program will focus on actual venipuncture. This is usually performed\u00a0on other classmates or volunteers.<\/p>\n
Each training program will have a different number of successful blood draws<\/strong><\/a> you need to complete to pass the course. The more draws you do, the better you’ll become. This practice can make you more comfortable in real-life situations with patients.<\/p>\n
Phlebotomy Certification Training<\/h3>\n
Once you complete your training program for phlebotomy, you also have the option of getting certified. Not every state requires certification<\/strong><\/a>. But, that could change. Even if your state doesn’t enforce it, it’s a good idea to become a certified phlebotomist.<\/p>\n
First, it doesn’t take much more of your time. You’ll still be able to complete your training in less than a year. Then, you’ll have to take an exam with an accredited organization.<\/p>\n
Some of the top organizations in the United States for certification include:<\/p>\n
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- National Health Career Association<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- American Society for Clinical Pathology<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Because phlebotomists are in such demand right now, adding a certification to your resume can help you when it comes to getting a job.<\/p>\n
An employer is likely to choose you over an uncertified phlebotomist because you have more experience and training. Also, as a certified phlebotomist<\/strong><\/a>, you can usually start out at a higher salary.<\/p>\n
How Much Does Phlebotomy Training Cost?<\/h3>\n
The cost of training to become a phlebotomist will vary depending on the course you take. Online courses can sometimes be cheaper. But, you still have to do venipuncture practices no matter what.<\/p>\n
On average, a phlebotomy training program costs anywhere from $1000-$3000. They usually take anywhere from 4-8 months to complete (slightly longer for certification).<\/p>\n
For a job in the healthcare industry, it’s an inexpensive way to get your foot in the door. So, not only do you not have to go through training for years, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to work with patients and make a difference.<\/p>\n
How Much Does a Phlebotomist Make?<\/h3>\n
Phlebotomy is an entry-level job. Phlebotomists who start out in the medical field just after completing training make an average of about $22,000 each year. If you become certified, you’ll likely make more than that. Even if you’re new to the position, certification can help you make over $25,000 each year.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nThere’s a misconception that there is no room for career advancement in phlebotomy<\/strong><\/a>, or that you’ll never make any more money. That’s not true.<\/p>\n
There are different ways of moving your career forward as a phlebotomist. You can take more training to focus on a specialty of phlebotomy. For example, therapeutic phlebotomists<\/strong><\/a> can make a lot more than a phlebotomy tech. It takes more schooling, but the paycheck can be worth it.<\/p>\n
There are also promotions involved in phlebotomy. With experience and hands-on training, you can get promoted to a supervisory position.<\/p>\n
Because phlebotomy can be a flexible career, many people continue their education while working. As you continue your schooling, phlebotomy is a great stepping stone in the medical field.<\/p>\n
You can use it as a springboard into other careers. Many nurses, medical assistants, and even physicians once started out as phlebotomists.<\/p>\n
What Are the Requirements for EKG Training?<\/h3>\n
Aside from having a high school diploma or GED and being 18 years old, there are no prerequisites to EKG training. You don’t have to have any experience in the medical field. It can be helpful, and many people who want to become EKG techs have spent some time in healthcare. But, it’s not required.<\/p>\n
In the next section, you’ll learn a bit more about the hands-on training that can help you to become an EKG technician. But, like phlebotomists, there are certain characteristics an EKG tech should have.<\/p>\n
Some of these include:<\/p>\n
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- Patience<\/li>\n
- Strong attention to detail<\/li>\n
- Ability to work with machinery<\/li>\n
- An understanding of different technologies<\/li>\n
- Willingness to work with people<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
EKG technicians are almost always part of a team. You need to know how to monitor your patient’s heart health, but that’s only one small part of the puzzle. You should be able to make your patients feel calm and comfortable. You should also be able to work directly with physicians and specialists to ensure your patient is getting the best care.<\/p>\n
What Does an EKG Technician Do Each Day?<\/h3>\n
EKG techs are often linked with phlebotomists because they are both entry-level jobs in the medical field. If your interests have more to do with technology and the human heart, you may be better suited for a job as an EKG tech.<\/p>\n
Like phlebotomy, this is a growing area of the healthcare industry. That’s greatly due in part to advancements in technology. More intricate machines have been created, so more accurate data can be collected.<\/p>\n
We can learn more about patients and different conditions with different data about their heart. Heart disease and other cardiovascular issues continue to be a massive problem in the United States.<\/p>\n
Different tests performed by EKG techs can help to catch some of these illnesses early on. So, the need for great EKG techs is higher than ever.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nEKG technicians have a variety of different duties. They can help with standard physical exams, and they can also provide screening. This is often used before a patient goes in for surgery. They work with specialized equipment and machinery that monitors the heart.<\/p>\n
With more training, EKG techs can also do things like:<\/p>\n
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- Electrocardiograms<\/li>\n
- Stress tests<\/li>\n
- Telemetry monitoring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When you’re looking for training to become an EKG technician, you might run into a few other names for this particular job. While EKG tech is the most popular choice, other titles mean the same thing.<\/p>\n
Some of the most common ones include:<\/p>\n
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- Cardiac monitor technician<\/li>\n
- ECG tech<\/li>\n
- Cardiographic technician<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Train to Become an EKG Technician<\/h3>\n
Training to become an EKG tech isn’t that different from phlebotomy training<\/strong><\/a>. But, there is one fundamental difference to start with. Many EKG techs start out in another area of the healthcare industry so they can get some experience.<\/p>\n
Starting out as an EMT or a paramedic is a great way to learn more about what a cardiac monitor technician does. This isn’t a path you have to take, but it’s a popular one.<\/p>\n
Officially, you can either receive on-the-job training or take an EKG technician program to learn what you need to know about this job. If you want to receive on-the-job training, you’ll work with a cardiologist to learn about the machines used to monitor a patient’s heart.<\/p>\n
You’ll also learn how to read and collect that data, and how to develop reports from it to give to physicians. On-the-job training is free! You may not get paid much (if at all) during your training period. But, it’s a great way to get an education in cardiovascular medicine at no cost.<\/p>\n
There are EKG training programs available if you don’t want to learn your way through on the job. These programs typically take 4-6 weeks and are usually offered at different colleges across the country.<\/p>\n
When you get your training through one of these programs, you can expect to learn the following:<\/p>\n
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- Medical terminology<\/li>\n
- EKG equipment training<\/li>\n
- Lab safety<\/li>\n
- Anatomy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Most EKG training is hands-on. It’s vital that you learn the ins and outs of the equipment you’ll be using as soon as possible. So, while other areas of training such as medical terminology are essential, you’ll spend more time gaining experience.<\/p>\n
How to Become a Certified EKG Technician<\/h3>\n
Again, like phlebotomy, you can get certification as an EKG tech. Certification comes from Cardiovascular Credentialing International. You can become certified after you gain enough experience or take the proper training. While certification isn’t required, it can help you land a job easier. It may also help to boost your salary.<\/p>\n
- American Society for Clinical Pathology<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- National Health Career Association<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
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