Are you brave enough to work with needles? Have you heard of phlebotomy training and how you can build a career from this? If you're not squeamish about blood and would like a stable and good paying job in the health care industry then a little phlebotomy training is exactly what you're looking for.
The skill of drawing blood
If you've yet to encounter the term, phlebotomy is the specialized procedure for collecting blood samples either for diagnosis, transfusion or research. Drawing blood from a vein can be uncomfortable for many so people are trained to become highly skilled in this technique. With practice and experience, they make the process as precise and painless as possible.
To become a phlebotomist, a formal education that includes hours of actual hands-on practice is the key to success. Master the skills and you will have your pick of jobs in hospitals, laboratories or private clinics that are always in need of these professional allied health workers.
There are technical or vocational schools that offer one-year phlebotomy training, which can suit those already with some health care training or experience. But to become the in-demand pro, you will be better off completing a two-year associate or four-year bachelor degree programs to really bone up on the techniques needed for the job. Because it is a delicate and invasive procedure, you need a phlebotomy certification to be allowed to practice as a professional phlebotomist. Five key areas
Extracting blood in the medical setting is not as simple as Count Dracula sinking his teeth onto your neck and drawing the fluid for collection. It takes precision, proper technique and the right equipment to accomplish this safely and as painlessly as possible. To become a master at this procedure, there are five areas that you must master during training.
HUMAN ANATOMY
You must be familiar with the human body, in particular the cardiovascular system, even while taking short-term phlebotomy training. You need to learn the veins, especially the ones you have to be working with on a regular basis, as well as how to go about drawing blood from patients who may have unusual medical conditions.
It's not always a breeze to draw blood samples especially from people who don't have a strong stomach for the procedure, so being able to determine which veins can be used is a necessary skill.
PRECISE NEEDLE TECHNIQUES
Certain people may actually faint at the sight of needles. Phlebotomists must minimize, if not eliminate mistakes when drawing blood because it could complicate a patient's medical condition further. It's how you handle the needle and use it in the most efficient manner bringing the least discomfort that you have to work on to master this skill. With practice, you can learn to apply the ìlightî touch that patients will hardly notice the procedure is done. SAFETY HANDLING OF SPECIMEN
Next to technique, students are given extensive training on the proper way to handle collected samples. There's the HIV/AIDS threat and blood-borne diseases that you need to be careful of, so you can never be too careful in handling bodily fluids. Remember you are dealing with bio-hazardous materials. Training inculcates the habit of keeping safe - wearing latex gloves, proper handling of needles, sterilizing laboratory equipment, properly disposing of used and tainted materials. ACCURACY IN RECORD KEEPING
It's not just about drawing blood but ensuring the collected samples are properly labeled and catalogued. Pathology laboratories handle tons of blood sample requests and if you can't track them efficiently and accurately, a patient may get the wrong diagnosis and treatment. Being orderly is important, just as spelling and writing legibly. PATIENT RAPPORT
You may be skilled at extracting blood, but unless you can assure the patient of minimal discomfort you're not going to get the job done quickly. Compassion and communication are two essentials qualities for a phlebotomy technician next to their blood drawing techniques. Your tools of the trade are the needle and syringe, but what makes you the professional are your bedside manners. Make it quick, effortless and painless.
Master these in your phlebotomy training and you can expect to enjoy a rewarding career with a good phlebotomist salary.
