{"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 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 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 <\/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 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 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 Some phlebotomists work on a ‘freelance’ basis. This offers flexibility, but how much money you’ll make depends on how often you work. You also need to market yourself to local facilities that use phlebotomists on a regular basis.<\/p>\n The working environment of a phlebotomist takes someone who doesn’t mind the possibility of several different elements.<\/p>\n For example, if you work in a busy hospital, you have to be able to keep up. You may see a dozen patients or more in a single day. You need to be able to keep up a fast pace while doing your job correctly and making sure your patients are comfortable.<\/p>\n If you work somewhere like a clinic or private practice, you may be able to slow down a little. Your patients may expect a bit more bedside manner in these locations because you do have more time. So, while you’re required to keep up with whatever environment you’re in, the next most crucial thing a phlebotomist needs to do is take care of their patients appropriately.<\/p>\n No matter where you work, one of the most significant responsibilities of a phlebotomist is to make sure your patients feel comfortable. Getting blood drawn for any reason isn’t usually considered a ‘fun’ experience for most people. For some, it can even be scary. You may find that patients become rude<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n A phlebotomist is often the first medical professional seen before someone goes to the doctor or gets other tests done. So, if you can set a positive tone for your patient, you can help them through different procedures.<\/p>\n As a phlebotomist, you’ll work with a lot of different types of people each day. This is especially true if you work in a busy hospital. Dealing with difficult patients is part of the job, which is why it takes a particular personality type to be a good phlebotomist. It’s important to not only comfort patients who are nervous but remain calm with patients who are being difficult.<\/p>\n Some of the best personality traits for a phlebotomist include:<\/p>\n One patient may ruin your entire day with their negative attitude, but you can’t let that show to that patient or the ones who follow.<\/p>\n You’ll also have to work with patients of different ages. Phlebotomists regularly have to draw blood from children. This can take a bit more patience as many children can be scared of needles<\/strong><\/a>. If you’re good with kids, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about! Even if you’re not, though, earning that child’s trust by being friendly and calm usually does the trick.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many seniors also have to get their blood drawn. Being able to reassure them and show them kindness is essential.<\/p>\n Finally, you’ll have to deal with people on a daily basis who aren’t patients. Unless you work for yourself as a mobile phlebotomist, you’re going to be a part of a team. In a hospital or clinic, it’s important to be able to work as a piece of that team and communicate with your fellow employees.<\/p>\n You all have the same goal in mind when it comes to diagnosing and treating patients. You’ll especially have to work closely with the people in the lab. Being able to work well with others to achieve a common goal is a necessary character trait for a phlebotomist.<\/p>\n As stated above in the steps to drawing blood, phlebotomists must prepare their patients to get their blood drawn. But, this involves more than just finding a vein and sterilizing the area. Preparing patients to get their blood drawn involves quite a bit of talking.<\/p>\n Here’s what you should expect to do when you come into a room for a patient:<\/p>\n These steps for prepping your patient can go a long way in how the entire experience feels. It will create a more pleasant experience for your patient. But, it will also usually make things easier for you. These steps help to get rid of confusion and will often make your patient more comfortable and amenable to your care.<\/p>\n Phlebotomists are required to be extra organized. If they aren’t, big mistakes could start to happen. That could put patient’s lives in jeopardy and could get whatever facility you’re working for in a lot of trouble. So, what does drawing blood have to do with being organized?<\/p>\n It starts with the blood draw itself. Before you even see your patient, you need to make sure you have all the right equipment in front of you. Having the wrong syringes or types of blood vials will cause you to waste time finding the right ones. If you end up using the wrong equipment, you could cause harm to your patient.<\/p>\n Once you’ve drawn the blood from your patient, specific amounts need to go directly into different vials. Most of these vials are characterized by different cap colors. But, each one needs to be appropriately labeled before it gets sent to the lab. Mislabeling a vial can be extremely dangerous for the patient. It can result in a misdiagnosis. If this happens, the patient may need to return to get their blood drawn again.<\/p>\n Your organization skills are also critical when you’re transferring the blood samples to the lab. If you work in a hospital, there is usually a lab on site. Being careful and keeping each vial of blood properly organized when transporting it to the lab is essential. It makes the lab scientists’ job easier and allows them to do it correctly.<\/p>\nWhat Are the Responsibilities of a Phlebotomist?<\/h2>\n
How Long Does It Take to Become a Phlebotomist?<\/h3>\n
How Does a Phlebotomist Draw Blood?<\/h3>\n
\n
Where Do Phlebotomists Work?<\/h3>\n
\n
How to Handle Different Types of Patients<\/h3>\n
\n
Preparing Patients for a Blood Draw<\/h3>\n
\n
Phlebotomists Need to Be Organized<\/h3>\n
Do Phlebotomists Diagnose Illnesses?<\/h3>\n