{"id":54,"date":"2018-03-27T19:48:34","date_gmt":"2018-03-27T19:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/?p=54"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:29:52","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:29:52","slug":"what-is-a-phlebotomist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/what-is-a-phlebotomist\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Phlebotomist Required to Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phlebotomy is a booming career path within the medical field. Phlebotomists are responsible for drawing blood from patients for different reasons. This is a practice called venipuncture<\/a><\/strong>. It’s considered an entry-level job, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It can take months of training to become a phlebotomist. This is because drawing blood is only part of what a phlebotomist is required to do.<\/p>\n

Hospitals and clinics are looking for qualified phlebotomists now more than ever. This is because technology has made it easier to test more conditions through blood. The population is also getting older. The baby boomer generation tends to need their blood drawn more, so more phlebotomists are required as a result.<\/p>\n

It’s not about just taking blood from patients, though. When you train to become a phlebotomist<\/a><\/strong>, you cover several different areas of study. It’s crucial for you to know the human body and its systems. You’ll also learn about things like lab safety and how to transport vials of blood.<\/p>\n

When you look at everything a phlebotomist has to do on a daily basis, you might be surprised to know that you can become certified in less than a year. If you like working with people and want to jump on board with one of the fastest-growing healthcare positions, you may want to consider becoming a phlebotomist. But, it’s important to know what you’re getting into.<\/p>\n

What Are the Responsibilities of a Phlebotomist?<\/h2>\n

This guide will cover the daily responsibilities of a phlebotomist. Of course, you can expect to learn about drawing blood and the right procedures for that. But, the general scope of being a phlebotomist contains a lot of different things. Certain personalities are better than others for the job, as well as people with specific skills.<\/p>\n

There are many different things to learn about this career. Once you know everything you’ll be required to do on a regular basis, you can better determine if it’s the right career choice for you. Starting with training, let’s take a closer look at what’s expected of a qualified phlebotomist.<\/p>\n

How Long Does It Take to Become a Phlebotomist?<\/h3>\n

First, to become a phlebotomist, you’re required to take a training course. Training courses contain two parts. Through the first half, you’ll be in a classroom setting. This allows you to learn things like different functions of bodily systems. You’ll also learn safety rules and how to stay organized when handling blood. The second half of your training involves practicing venipuncture.<\/p>\n

Becoming a phlebotomist can take less than a year of training. It can take a few extra weeks if you want to become a certified\u00a0phlebotomist. Not all states need phlebotomists to be certified<\/strong><\/a>. But, more states are turning toward it. And, you may have a better chance of landing an excellent job in a hospital if you’re certified.<\/p>\n

\"phlebotomy<\/p>\n

Training can be done at many different colleges who offer the program. There are also specific training centers that offer courses on phlebotomy. You can even take some courses online. But, you’ll still have to practice venipuncture in person to complete your training.<\/p>\n

How Does a Phlebotomist Draw Blood?<\/h3>\n

The thing most people think about when becoming a phlebotomist is drawing blood. It’s one of the most significant responsibilities and needs to be done correctly every single time. That’s why training programs make sure you perform many successful ‘sticks’ before you’re ready to complete the course.<\/p>\n

There are specific steps to follow when it comes to drawing blood. These steps need to be followed with each patient to make sure they are safe, and everything remains sterile. Some patients can complain about a bit of pain at the site of the needle. But, a good phlebotomist can make a stick feel almost like nothing!<\/p>\n

The following steps are the standard procedure for drawing blood from a patient:<\/p>\n

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  1. Gather the equipment needed ahead of time. You should have everything organized on a tray to bring into the room for the patient. This includes things like gloves and blood-collection tubes, and different needles and syringes. You’ll also need lab forms and specific labels for each blood specimen.<\/li>\n
  2. Once all your equipment is ready, you also need to prepare the patient. Make sure they are comfortable, explain what you’re about to do and see if they have any questions.<\/li>\n
  3. Find the vein on your patient’s extended arm. Usually, the vein used for a blood draw is found in the crease of the arm where you bend your elbow. You should be able to find the vein before using a tourniquet<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  4. Tie the tourniquet 3-4 inches above the site of the vein.<\/li>\n
  5. Make sure your hands are clean, and you’re wearing gloves. Then, disinfect the site where you’re about to draw blood. This can be done with an alcohol swab.<\/li>\n
  6. Place your thumb underneath the venipuncture site and insert the needle to begin drawing blood.<\/li>\n
  7. Once the correct amount of blood has been collected, remove the tourniquet and then the needle.<\/li>\n
  8. Immediately apply light pressure to the venipuncture site. Then, cover it with a piece of cotton and a bandage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Where Do Phlebotomists Work?<\/h3>\n

    A phlebotomist should be prepared to work in a variety of different settings. Most work in hospitals, but there are many other options for locations. It’s vital that you can adapt to your surroundings and the people you’ll work with no matter where you end up working.<\/p>\n

    Even though hospitals are almost always looking for phlebotomists, you can also find a job in places like:<\/p>\n

    [su_list icon=”icon: check-circle”]<\/p>\n