Phlebotomy refers to the process of creating an incision in a vein and normally this procedure is closely associated with venipuncture. People who do phlebotomy are referred to as phlebotomists. Therefore, phlebotomists are people who are professionally trained on how to draw blood from live people or animals for purposes of tests, donations, research and transfusions. Phlebotomists are trained in certification programs and mostly such programs are offered by online schools.
When you decide to join a phlebotomist training school, you will truly have joined one of the fastest growing professions in the medical services provision industry. The demand for phlebotomists has been rising exponentially in the past couple of years and the trend is not likely to change any time soon. This should give you more confidence and zeal to join such medical courses.
What phlebotomist training includes
Since the major role of a phlebotomist is drawing blood from patients, phlebotomist classes are mainly focused on teaching students the fundamental elements of venipuncture. Most colleges offer programs that are accredited by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) and this means that you will have to go through 90 hours of theory studies in physiology, human anatomy, medical terminology and also venipuncture practices and procedures.
These 90 hours are added on to 120 hours in which you have to go through extensive hands-on training. The hands-on training is carried out both in college and at externship in a clinic. This is intended to make sure that you can apply what you have learnt in class in the real life setting.
Where to go for phlebotomist training classes
Phlebotomy classes are offered in a wide range of institutions. These include vocational centers, technical colleges, and also community colleges. Thanks to advancements in technology, you can also pursue a certification in phlebotomy through the online platform. It really does not matter what school you enroll at but it is important to make sure that it is accredited by at least one of the main accrediting bodies such as ASPT as mentioned above.
Prerequisites for phlebotomist training
Much as the requirements for phlebotomy training might vary from one program to another or one school to another, there are some qualifications that are typical in whichever case. For instance, to get admitted to any such course, you need to have a high school degree and proof of vaccination of hepatitis B or any other useful medical documents that can be used to prove that you are not infected by any kind of blood-borne illnesses. Some schools might have their own prerequisites but these two are the most common.
Getting started as a phlebotomist
The first step in phlebotomist training is to choose the right program that will help you prepare for the certification. You can take some time and do some research on phlebotomy, the requirements and the best colleges to go to for the training. This will help you to get a clear picture as to what phlebotomy is and why you need it to succeed in the medical services industry. Jobs related to phlebotomy come with a handsome salary package and thus they are worth the hassle.