phlebotomy certification

Phlebotomist Schools

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You have decided to become a phlebotomist, but what can you expect to learn in phlebotomist schools? Let’s begin by talking about the kind of qualifications that these schools are looking for and then see what you will learn there.

You can get into phlebotomist schools straight out of high school or college, and you don’t have to have any specific requirements. That said, if you start thinking about this career early enough, it would be wise for you to focus on the sciences, especially biology and chemistry. Biology covers the human body while chemistry will help you when it comes to testing blood. Having good grades will also help getting into a good phlebotomy school.

So what will you study?

Most schools have a two part phlebotomy training program comprised first of class work followed by clinical rotations. In the class, you will learn about subjects such as:

Anatomy and physiology

To become a phlebotomist you have to understand how the human body works. In the training course you will learn the circulatory system, which is compried of the lymphatic, the respiratory, the urinary, and the muscular and skeletal systems.

Blood and cell composition

Here, you will learn how blood and cells are affected by infection and diseases. In other words, you will learn how to distinguish between a healthy cell and an unhealthy cell.

Blood sampling

Here, you learn about venipuncture which teaches you how to draw blood from different people. The way blood is drawn from an infant is different from the way it is drawn from an adult and different also from the way it is drawn from an elderly person. You learn how to find the veins in all the different age groups and how to puncture them accurately so that you can draw blood from the patients.

Laboratory safety

You will work in a lab the majority of time when you start your career as a phlebotomist and you have to know how to be safe. You also learn how to handle blood safely without contaminating it or putting yourself at risk.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

This is necessary for any medical practitioner. You have to know how to administer basic CPR.

Clinical rotations

You will be assigned to a clinic where you will learn how to do the practical work. You will be assigned to someone to supervise you and who will issue periodic reports on your work. You are encouraged to learn as much as possible and how to deal with all areas of phlebotomy, including learning which computer programs are used in the profession and how they are used. You also have to learn record keeping because it is essential in the career of a phlebotomist.

You must also practice your bedside manner with different kinds of people. Remember that most people who come to the hospital are already sick and quite likely irritable so you must be extra cautious when you are handling them.

If you do very well in your clinical rotations, you may not have to look for a job after your training. The clinic where you are training may be impressed enough with your work and offer you a job.

Phlebotomist Training

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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.

How Do You Get A Phlebotomy Certification

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Phlebotomy is basically a medical procedure whereby blood samples are drawn from a patient’s veins. The samples are then tested and analyzed in laboratories. This is what helps in diagnosis of ailments or diseases.

Health care professionals who do these procedures are referred to as phlebotomists or medical assistants. These experts are normally the first to talk or interact with patients and also play a major role for them by acting as liaisons between laboratories, patients and doctors.

Why A Career In Phlebotomy

It is a fact that if you want to be successful in the medical field you ought to have lots of practical medical experience and knowledge. This is the case for many medical occupations but for the case of phlebotomy, this does not necessarily hold much water. In fact, if you want to be certified as a phlebotomist, you only need a high school diploma. After that, you can attend a certified phlebotomy training course and then take a phlebotomy certification exam.

Many people are not just after the phlebotomist career just because it is easy to become a certified phlebotomist. There are plenty of reasons as to why people are seeking to pursue careers in this medical field. One thing that is for sure is that jobs in the medical or health care industry are intrinsically rewarding. Being part of the system that helps people get healthier and off their sick selves is much more rewarding.

It is also worth noting that certified phlebotomists are able to work in many places and are not limited to working in hospitals. Phlebotomy jobs can be found at blood banks, plasma centers, independent laboratories, and physician offices.

Lastly, it might also be worth noting that phlebotomy salaries are pretty much rewarding and competitive. At this time, I am sure that you now know what you have to do in order to get into such a career. One thing that you can be sure of is that you will get a lot of rewards from such a career.

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Obtaining A Phlebotomy Certification

A phlebotomy certification is mandatory in two states in the United States. These are Louisiana and California. You however don’t have to get a phlebotomy certification just because you live and work in any one of these states. You will benefit a lot career wise by just having one. There is no doubt that many employers are reluctant to employ people who are not properly qualified as phlebotomists and thus having your certification will boost your chances a great deal.

A prerequisite for phlebotomy certification is that you need to attend formal phlebotomy training courses. Many phlebotomy schools will offer you the theoretical aspect of the course. These are the programs that will prepare you for the phlebotomy certification exams.

You have to make sure that you choose a training course that is approved by an accreditation authority. You don’t want to waste your money on a program that will not be able to earn you a phlebotomy certification at the end of the process.

After completing the training program, you can register for a certifying examination. You have the freedom to choose the exam from whichever body you need. There are ten such phlebotomy accreditation bodies in the United States today.

These are just but a representation of some of the steps that you would have to go through in order to get certified and be able to act in full capacity as a phlebotomist.

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