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Phlebotomists: What They Do, What Skills Are Needed, and How to Become One?

A phlebotomist is a medical professional who is skilled in drawing blood and other bodily fluids from patients. Phlebotomy is a growing specialty within the medical industry, and if you’re thinking about making a career in the healthcare field, it’s an excellent choice to start.

Royal Learning Institute, a renowned training school in New York, offers exceptional healthcare training to individuals, corporations, and state and federal entities in both individual and group settings. If you are seeking an accredited training institute to enroll in the phlebotomy training program in Staten Island, they should be your first pick.

The job responsibility of a phlebotomy technician –

A phlebotomy technician is a healthcare worker who draws blood for diagnostic and research purposes in a wide range of clinical settings, from hospitals and clinics to nursing homes and research labs. These professionals are specially trained to draw patients’ blood or specimen samples. In addition to drawing blood, these professionals regularly perform the following functions:

  • Explaining blood drawing procedures to patients.
  • Labeling blood samples properly.
  • Collaborating with various medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, other medical technicians, and patient management staff.
  • Protecting the integrity of paperwork trails.
  • Performing transfusions.
  • Help patients feel comfortable during the blood collection process.
  • Setting up the work area with the correct vials, needles, and various other supplies.

 

Skills needed to become a phlebotomy technician –

Apart from the technical training, phlebotomy technicians use these skills in their workplace;

Compassion – As some people don’t like to have their blood drawn, phlebotomists need to be understanding and compassionate about this anxiety and fear.

Dexterity – As these professionals need to insert a needle into a vein, they need to be accurate and precise in what they do. Apart from good hand-eye coordination, one needs to have the ability to successfully insert a needle into a vein during the first attempt.

Attention to detail – Not only must phlebotomy technicians draw blood, but they must also draw the correct amount of blood, draw it for the number of tests required, collect blood samples, track them, and enter them into a database. They must exercise utmost caution not to mix up or mislabel samples.

Steps to Become Phlebotomy Technician – Education & Experience.

Though the requirement to become a phlebotomist technician may vary from state to state, in most cases, completion of a phlebotomy certification is essential to kick-start a career in this field. One can enroll in this training program in any technical, vocational school, or community college, and it generally takes less than a year to complete.

Below listed are the steps you’ll need to take to become a certified phlebotomist technician.

Step 1 – Graduate a high school or get a GED.

One of the most compelling parts of this career is that you can work in this field without having any college degree. The minimum educational requirement for admission to a phlebotomy training program in New York is usually just a high school certificate or GED.

Step 2 – Apply to an accredited phlebotomy training program.

Some students enroll in college right after high school graduation, but others return to school later in life after working or raising a family.

The phlebotomy program will usually need;

  • Filling out an application form.
  • Proof of having graduated and having earned a minimum GPA.
  • Immunization record.
  • CPR certification.
  • Passing the background check.

This medical program turns out to be beneficial for an individual that has taken science-based classes, as many of the courses that you will take in school will focus on anatomy and medical terminology.

Step 3 – Completing a phlebotomy program

The phlebotomy program generally takes a year to complete, though some aspirants can complete this training program in less than a year. This training program includes both classwork and hands-on training.

This coursework will help provide you the essential information on the phlebotomist role, the standards and codes that need to be followed in procedures including blood sample collection, labeling, and storage, and patient health and safety. While hands-on training provides an individual with a minimum of 40 hours of practical experience.

Step 4 – Getting certification from a recognized body.

Once you have completed your phlebotomy training, you can seek certification from a nationally recognized certification organization like;

. National Performance Specialists (NPS).

. American Medical Technologists (AMT)he certification exam.

. National Phlebotomy Association (NPA).

. National Credentialing Agency (NCA).

. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

. American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT).

. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

. National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Becoming a certified phlebotomy technician can increase your chances of being hired, shows your commitment to your field, and connects you to a network of various other professionals who can help you in your new career.

Step 5 – Taking the certification exam.

Upon completing your diploma, and certification, your next step is to take the certification exam, which needs the completion of the phlebotomy program, on-the-job experience, and proof of experience in performing various medical procedures, including venipunctures, skin punctures, and observation of arterial punctures.

There may be as many as 300 questions on this certification test, and you’ll also have to demonstrate your competence in drawing blood, labeling samples, sterilizing equipment, and other essential lab procedures in a practical session.

Do you choose to pursue a career as a phlebotomist technician? This is an excellent area to enter because it gives so many possibilities for professional development.

If you are searching for an accredited training institute for a phlebotomy training program in Staten Island, then look no further than Royal Learning Institute. They are one of the top leading medical training school in New York and provides hands-on practical training with needful education to candidates so that they are well-prepared to enter this medical field. So, if you want to start your career with the right foot forward, get in touch with our training instructor at (347) 658-3774 for expert guidance!