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.