Phlebotomy is a healthcare profession concentrated on drawing blood for a variety of purposes-medical tests, blood donations, transfusions, and research.
How do I become a phlebotomist?
Becoming a phlebotomist is a quick transition into the healthcare profession-your training may take as little as six weeks! By earning a professional certificate, you will be prepared for a career as a phlebotomist.
When you attend a phlebotomist training course or school, you will learn about anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. You may even become a phlebotomist through an on the job training program.
Typically, employers prefer to hire a phlebotomist with a professional certification. Several organizations offer certification options. Check out National Center for Competency Testing, National Healthcare Association, National Phlebotomy Association, and American Medical Technologists for more information. Although employers may prefer hiring certified phlebotomists, only California, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington require certifications.
What does a phlebotomist do?
While a phlebotomist’s main role is to draw blood for a variety of purposes, they also carefully track patient information, label blood samples, and talk with patients to ensure they understand the process.
Phlebotomy is a field requiring an eye for detail to ensure samples are labelled correctly and patient information is accurate. Since some patients may be nervous or upset at having blood drawn, being compassionate and caring goes a long way in this field. Finally, because you are working with blood samples, being clean and sanitary in your work is vital to everyone’s safety and health.
What is a phlebotomist’s salary?
The median annual wage for a phlebotomist was $36,320. This is right in line with other healthcare support occupations. While the majority of phlebotomists work in a hospital, the top-paying field is in outpatient care centers (annual mean wage $43,920).
What is the job outlook for phlebotomists?
The field of phlebotomy is exploding! A projected growth of 22% is expected between 2020 and 2030. If you are looking for fast entry in the healthcare industry, this profession will get you there!