Welcome to your comprehensive guide to phlebotomy training, phlebotomy classes and certifications. We also provide you with information on Phlebotomy schools, jobs and salary wages. This site provides you all the information you may need to become a qualified phlebotomist.
What is Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is a medical practice of drawing or collecting blood from a patient for testing in a laboratory. The career, however, is new in the field of medicine compared to the other branches. Phlebotomy training is among the most marketable careers in the modern world of medicine. Many laboratories, research institutes and hospitals, are looking for phlebotomists at competitive salary wages.
Although the practice has been there for the last two decades, its popularity dates a few years back. This is mainly because of the advanced technology and training that has been invested in the practice. Patients can now undergo phlebotomy in a safe and sterile procedure.
However, for one to be a qualified phlebotomist, one is required to have passed through phlebotomy training. If you are searching for a new career or interested in enhancing your current career, phlebotomy training guarantees you job opportunities and good salary pay.
What to Expect in Phlebotomy Training
Just like any other medical training, phlebotomy training can be done as a bachelor’s degree or as an associate’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in phlebotomy takes a training period of 4 years while an associate’s degree takes 2 years.
Being a phlebotomist requires a high level of practice and skills. During the phlebotomy training, the students are trained on how to collect blood from a patient, causing minimal amount of pain. They are also guided on how to handle and control bio hazardous materials such as sterile, used and unused needles, and blood samples. This is mainly because the main duty of phlebotomists is to collect blood samples.
Phlebotomy training also includes learning on proper bedside manner. As a phlebotomist, one should know the proper way to handle a patient. One should be confident, show skill and empathy while drawing blood from a patient.
You should also expect to learn more on human anatomy as you will be dealing with human beings. You will also learn about needle technique; how to handle, use and dispose needles. Apart from these, the training also includes creation of patient rapport, keeping record processes and medical safety.
Apart from the theory part, students are taken through practical phlebotomy training on handling various medical facilities such as bio hazardous waste containers, bio hazardous-spill kits, syringes, vacuum tubes, dermal puncture devices, tape and bandages, locking arm rests, tourniquets, blood-culture bottles, etc.
Starting Phlebotomy Classes
For one to complete phlebotomy training, one is required to attend various classes. You may choose to take online or attend physical classes depending on your daily schedule. However, there are those classes that will demand the students to be physically present. The advantage with taking online phlebotomy training classes is that they are convenient for both part-time and full-time students. You are able to take classes and tests wherever you may be at your convenient time. You will, however, be required to avail yourself at specific times when you are available.
Although phlebotomy classes may vary from state to state, below are phlebotomy classes and tests demanded by phlebotomy training.
Anatomy and Physiology – Phlebotomy training demands teaching on the different organ functions, how various organ systems functions, and how they create homeostasis in the body in optimum health. The class involves naming of body organs and their various parts, veins and arteries, bones, and the cellular structure. The students are also taught on using a microscope, different blood types, and how to recognize the different types of cells and bacteria.
Microbiology – In this class of phlebotomy training, the students learn on the structure and functions of various micro-organisms. The class also teaches viruses and bacteria that cause diseases. It also involves a practical part where you are taught on preparing slides, identifying of different cells and organisms, and how to record lab results.
Psychology and Human Interaction – Although phlebotomists spend a very short time with the patients, they should have a good attitude and bedside manner while attending to the patients. Psychology and Humans Interaction class teaches the students on how to attend to a stressed patient, and their family. During their career, phlebotomists come across different kinds of patients, and they should be trained on how to cater to all in a professional manner.
Phlebotomy and Lab Practicum – Unlike the other classes of phlebotomy training, this is more of a practical class. During these sessions, the students are taught on how to safely, and properly draw blood from veins, arteries and capillaries. The class also includes sterile fields, determining the best site to draw blood, when to use alcohol to prep the skin, needle inserting techniques and common mistakes that can affect the result of a blood test.
The student should physically attend this class so that they can be familiar with the various types of equipment, their use and how to use them.
Math for Health Sciences – The medical fields demand some calculation skills such as converting ml to drops (gtt), ounces to drams and other math operations. This phlebotomy training class ensures that the student has the required knowledge to do the calculations at ease.
Legal Aspects and Ethics – Just like any other career, phlebotomists have their medical ethics. During phlebotomy training, students are taught and examined on medical legal aspects and ethics. These aspects require special consideration as unethical acts can not only cause you to lose your license or job, but can also get you sued and jailed. One of the key areas taught in this class is the Patients’ Bill of Rights.
Finding a Phlebotomy Schools
After deciding to purse phlebotomy training, you will require to look for the best school. There are many available phlebotomy training schools; however, you should consider choosing the school that best suits your expectations. The internet is the best place to start your search as there are hundreds of phlebotomy online websites. The internet also provides you with sites that you can read comments and feedbacks from legitimate phlebotomists and phlebotomy students regarding various schools.
The most experienced problem by students is the lack of school fees to pursue phlebotomy training. However, you can pursue the course at low or even no cost. By searching in the internet, you can get schools offering sponsorship for qualified students. If school fees are a problem, you may seek support from a phlebotomist hospital or laboratory near you. Some of these laboratories offer you free training; however, you may be required to work for them once you complete your training.
The best phlebotomy schools, however, are those that have practicum and clinical training, and equipment. These schools will help you not only to pass the exams, but also gain some experience. Factors you may need to look at before deciding a particular phlebotomy training school are class schedules, the depth of their syllabus, and the number of blood draws, required for one to sit for their exam.
You may choose to take classes online if there are no phlebotomy training schools near your area. You will, however, be required to attend a clinic or hospital near you for the practical classes and tests.
Although you may attend any phlebotomy training school, one important factor you need to look at is the issuing certification organization. Different states will demand different phlebotomy certifications. It is, therefore, important that you first research on the certifications required in your area for you to be considered as a qualified phlebotomist.
Getting a Phlebotomy Certification
There are two recognized ways of attaining a phlebotomy certification. The first is by completing the phlebotomy training course from an accredited school. You may get the certification by either taking the bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree. The other way is by completing a certain period of hours taking hands on training in a recognized phlebotomy hospital.
Why do you need a phlebotomy certification?
- To prove that you have passed phlebotomy training
- To qualify as a phlebotomist job applicant as some states will demand a certification as a job requirement
- To increase your salary wage bracket
These certifications are offered by the following certification organizations depending on your geographical area.
- American Society of Clinical Pathologists
- American Medical Technologists
- National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel
- American Medical Technologists
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Health Career Association
Applying for Phlebotomy Jobs
Unlike other jobs, phlebotomy demands a high level of skills and self composure in any emotional situation. Apart from your phlebotomy certification, you must meet the following requirements before applying phlebotomy jobs.
- A minimum age of 18 years
- Attained a GED or a high school diploma
- Holds a current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate
- Must have done vacations recently including Hepatitis
When applying for this job, ensure that you convince the employer why you are the right person for the job. If you don’t have prior experience, get verification documents from your previous employer showing that you are skilled, and composed to handle any given stressful situation.
You will also need to send a good resume to the employer to stand out from the other applicants. Ensure you include any promotions, awards, or recognitions you may have attained to prove that you are a good problem solver and relates well with your clients and coworkers.
After sending your application form, be hopeful to be called for an interview. When attending an interview, ensure that you dress professionally, but don’t overdo it. Avoid a lot of perfume and jewelry; be composed, and confident while approaching your interviewer.
Phlebotomist Salary Range
It is stipulated that the demand for qualified phlebotomists will increase in the near future. Due to this demand, their salary range will obviously rise. The advantage of being phlebotomist is that your salary wage is relatively equal; whether you are working in a hospital, laboratory or in a research institute. The phlebotomist salary wage ranges from $13 to $20 per hour. However, the salary wage may differ depending on the following factors.
Geographical place of work – The average wage for the US phlebotomy ranges from $12.5 to $13 per hour totaling to about $27,000 per year. However, those working in states like New York, Alaska, Rhode Island, Maryland and Connecticut earn an average salary wage of $15-$16 per hours. The most paying state, however, is California, although they demand a license and a more than 8 months phlebotomy training program for you to get a job.
Your qualification – A certified phlebotomist earns more than a hospital-trained phlebotomist without a certification. The average salary wage of a non-certified phlebotomist is about $8-$10 per hour. You may, however, increase your salary wage and job opportunities by seeking a certification.
Experience – In most careers, your salary wage increases with an increase in your experience to that particular job. You can increase your phlebotomy salary wage by gaining more experience by attending to different patients, working on several states and attending phlebotomy seminars and workshops.
With all this information, you have no reason not to pursue phlebotomy as your career choice. Phlebotomy training assures you great job opportunities and a good salary wage in future. If you meet the requirements, start looking for a phlebotomy training school today. We also provide you with more information on phlebotomy school fees, exams guide and much more concerning phlebotomy training.