All areas of the health care field are rapidly growing, and one career you might consider is that of a phlebotomist. This is a medical professional who is trained to properly draw blood from patients with the least amount of pain. This procedure would be prescribed by a doctor, and the blood sample might be used for a variety of tests such as blood donations or drug tests for an employer. Either a GED or a high school diploma is the prerequisite for admission into phlebotomy classes. It is recommended that you attend an accredited college or technical school for the education and training that will meet all the requirements of the field.
Phlebotomy classes cover many topics necessary to become a skilled phlebotomist. In addition to learning the correct procedure to draw blood from a patient, the student will learn how to handle and control biohazardous materials such as samples of blood or other bodily fluids. Students also receive hands on training for handling containers for biohazardous waste and procedures for using biohazardous-spill kits. Medical safety depends on learning how to deal with these biohazards as well as used needles, blood-culture bottles, syringes of various sizes, dermal puncture devices, vacuum tubes and bandages.
Students taking classes to become a phlebotomist must learn appropriate bedside manner and empathy to put the patient at ease. Many people fear having blood withdrawn, so if you can create a good patient rapport you will have success at completing the procedure efficiently. Students also learn about the human circulatory system, anatomy and physiology in great detail, extensive medical terminology, equipment procedures and techniques, needle techniques, infection control and legal aspects. Clinical externships are held in a healthcare facility such as a hospital or medical clinic. Here students will draw blood from actual patients under experienced medical supervision.
Most people take phlebotomy classes at a local community college or through a hospital training program. You should be sure that the training program has received proper accreditation from a national or regional agency. For example, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) has accredited programs in Ohio and other states. After completing the training, a certification exam is given by The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT). This comprehensive exam will test all aspects of your phlebotomy knowledge.
Phlebotomy classes cover many topics necessary to become a skilled phlebotomist. In addition to learning the correct procedure to draw blood from a patient, the student will learn how to handle and control biohazardous materials such as samples of blood or other bodily fluids. Students also receive hands on training for handling containers for biohazardous waste and procedures for using biohazardous-spill kits. Medical safety depends on learning how to deal with these biohazards as well as used needles, blood-culture bottles, syringes of various sizes, dermal puncture devices, vacuum tubes and bandages.
Students taking classes to become a phlebotomist must learn appropriate bedside manner and empathy to put the patient at ease. Many people fear having blood withdrawn, so if you can create a good patient rapport you will have success at completing the procedure efficiently. Students also learn about the human circulatory system, anatomy and physiology in great detail, extensive medical terminology, equipment procedures and techniques, needle techniques, infection control and legal aspects. Clinical externships are held in a healthcare facility such as a hospital or medical clinic. Here students will draw blood from actual patients under experienced medical supervision.
Most people take phlebotomy classes at a local community college or through a hospital training program. You should be sure that the training program has received proper accreditation from a national or regional agency. For example, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) has accredited programs in Ohio and other states. After completing the training, a certification exam is given by The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT). This comprehensive exam will test all aspects of your phlebotomy knowledge.
