Phlebotomy - The Lifeblood of Medicine

February 6, 2006
By JJ Singh
Healthcare Programs Columnist

Have you ever seen a bloodmobile parked on a sidewalk outside a mall? Do you ever wonder who works there? Not doctors, but nurses and their assistants. And not just any type of assistant - a phlebotomist.

How Do I Pronounce Phlebotomy?

You know you've asked yourself, how do I pronounce that? Fli-bot-uh-mee.

What Do Phlebotomists Do?

Because blood is so important in medicine, it is critical that blood drawing and blood tests be administered accurately and safely. As a phlebotomist you will:

Draw Blood from a Patient Without Harming Them
Handle Blood Safely
Transport Specimens to a Laboratory or Storage Area
Take Patients' Vital Signs
Update Patient Records
Sterilize Equipment

While some phlebotomist jobs may be in blood banks, most phlebotomists work in hospitals or health clinics.

How Do I Get the Training I Need?

Although certification is optional, most employers prefer phlebotomists to be certified through a national agency, such as the National Crediting Agency for Laboratory Personnel or the American Society for Clinical Pathology. To get this certification, you must enroll in a semester or yearlong course through an accredited phlebotomist training program.

Through Phlebotomist Training, You Will Learn:

The Methods of Blood Collection
The Anatomy and Physiology of Blood Collection
Health and Safety Consideration and Precautions

How Do I Get Started?

Your first step in getting a good phlebotomist job is to get the training that is right for you. Phlebotomists must be cautious, accurate, and friendly, so choose a program that gives you plenty of practice in drawing blood and handling it.

Once you've finished an accredited program, you'll be off and running in your new career as a phlebotomist. And if you don't like to run, let the bloodmobile do all the moving for you.

Sources

http://www.flahec.org
http://www.phlebotomist.org

About the Author

JJ Singh is a recently returned Peace Corps Volunteer in South America where he encountered and wrote about innumerable health issues. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics.

Healthcare Programs Article