{"id":621,"date":"2017-01-16T16:07:44","date_gmt":"2017-01-16T16:07:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/?p=621"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:48:01","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:48:01","slug":"blood-draw-venipuncture-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/blood-draw-venipuncture-training\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Blood Draw or Venipuncture Training Involve?"},"content":{"rendered":"
A phlebotomist is a medical professional whose main job is drawing blood.<\/p>\n
This is also called the practice of venipuncture. Any time that you need blood drawn for lab work, tests, or even when you donate blood, there\u2019s a good chance it is being done by a fully-trained phlebotomist. But, what does blood draw or venipuncture training involve?<\/p>\n
To fully understand the answer to that question, it\u2019s important to know what phlebotomy training involves. To get a certification to draw blood, individuals must complete a phlebotomy training course from start to finish.<\/p>\n
In fact, the training course itself won\u2019t cover certification. Additional training will be needed to achieve a phlebotomy certificate<\/strong><\/a>. However, most students do opt for that, since many states now require a certificate to practice venipuncture in the field.<\/p>\n Depending on the school or institution you attend, most phlebotomy training programs<\/strong><\/a> last anywhere from 4-8 months. During that time, two basic areas are covered: Classroom training, and active venipuncture training.<\/p>\n [su_list icon=”icon: check-circle”]<\/p>\n During phlebotomy training, much of the work is done in a classroom setting. Here, students will learn things like:<\/p>\n These pieces give phlebotomy students the building blocks of what it takes to become a licensed phlebotomist. While studying blood draw itself, students will also be required to take blood draw training.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That training consists of actually performing successful venipunctures a certain amount of times, to complete the program. This can range within anywhere from 25 sticks, up to 100, depending on the training program.<\/p>\n During these active venipunctures, students will be practicing how to find a vein quickly<\/strong><\/a>, how to use the needle to draw blood from that vein efficiently, and how to make their patient as comfortable as possible. Drawing blood, however, is only the first part of a phlebotomist\u2019s job.<\/p>\n Venipuncture training also consists of preparing the blood properly (in the right vials), storing it correctly, and sending it to the correct department for testing. That\u2019s why it\u2019s extremely important for phlebotomists to know lab safety and lab procedures.<\/p>\n Different vials of blood are designated to mean different things. A phlebotomist needs to know what those vials mean, and where they are going. Proper care and handling are crucial once blood is drawn, to ensure it doesn\u2019t get contaminated, and to make sure it ends up where it needs to be.<\/p>\n Obviously drawing blood from an obese patient<\/strong><\/a> can be more difficult. This is because it’s harder to locate the veins.<\/p>\n The correct collection, storage, and transportation of blood are important, so the phlebotomy order of draw was developed. Even a small error could disrupt a patient\u2019s treatment, or give someone incorrect results.<\/p>\n To ensure things like that don\u2019t happen, this publication was put together by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute<\/strong><\/a> (CLSI).<\/p>\n The order of draw uses colors to determine what the proper order should be, to make it easier for students to remember. It is determined based on any additives that need to be included, or any special instructions that need to be given during the blood draw itself.<\/p>\n The order of draw is as follows:<\/p>\n Again, the order of draw was developed to avoid things like cross-contamination. Patients with certain illnesses or who need specific lab work done have to have the proper draws to get the correct results.<\/p>\n Different tubes must be used for collection in the draw\u2019s order to make sure all patients are safe and can achieve the lab results they need.<\/p>\n There are several tricks phlebotomists use to memorize the order of draw, but whatever you use, make sure you know it inside and out before you complete your training.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an enormous part of venipuncture safety. It is something phlebotomists put into practice every single day, and it never becomes less useful in any way.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Phlebotomy is one of the fastest- rising medical careers for a reason. It\u2019s considered an entry-level position<\/strong><\/a>, but can turn into a lifelong career, depending on your skills and dedication.<\/p>\nWhat Does Venipuncture Training Involve?<\/h3>\n
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What Does Blood Draw Training Involve?<\/h3>\n
What is the Phlebotomy Order of Draw?<\/h3>\n
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The Purpose of the Order of Draw<\/h3>\n
What Is Required to Become a Phlebotomist?<\/h4>\n