Phlebotomy - The Lifeblood of Medicine |
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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.
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