Person Who Draws Blood Is Called

Work Environment For Phlebotomists

Phlebotomists hold about 135,500 jobs. The largest employers of phlebotomists are as follows:

Phlebotomists who collect blood donations sometimes travel to different offices and sites in order to set up mobile donation centers. They also sometimes travel to long-term care centers or patients’ homes.

Phlebotomists may be required to stand for long periods of time.

Licenses Certifications And Registrations

States may require that phlebotomists complete an accredited training program, have a license or certification, or meet other requirements. For specific requirements, contact your state licensing agency.

Some employers prefer to hire phlebotomists who have earned professional certification, such as those offered by professional organizations. Requirements vary by organization but may include education and clinical experience, passing an exam, and practical components, such as drawing blood.

Phlebotomists also may need to have Basic Life Support certification. Those who transport samples may need a drivers license.

Top 3 Phlebotomist Jobs

• Phlebotomist I – West Jordan – FT – Granger Medical – West Jordan, UT

  Phlebotomist – West Jordan Granger Medical has a phlebotomy opening in the Riverton Phlebotomy department. If you are ready for a change and looking for career advancement in the medical field, this …

• Phlebotomist Registrar – University of Maryland Medical System – Towson, MD

  Phlebotomist Registrar Full-time, M-F 7:00a-3:30pTowson, MD We are looking for talented professionals to join our team at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. When you come to University …

• Phlebotomist II – Texas Oncology – Round Rock, TX

  Texas Oncology is looking for a Phlebotomist to join our team! This PRN position will support the Round Rock North location at 301 Seton Parkway. Work hours are on as “as needed” basis

Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. Some of them explain their work to patients and provide assistance if patients have adverse reactions after their blood is drawn.

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What Other Educational Paths Are Available

There arent advanced two- or four-year degree programs specifically in phlebotomy, but that doesnt mean you cant advance your education and broaden your skillset. Phlebotomists can earn two-year associate degrees in closely related fields, allowing you to take on higher-level roles and potentially boosting your salary.

The gold standard is most likely a medical lab technician associate degree, says House. A medical lab tech works with a medical technologist or physician to perform tests that help physicians diagnose and treat diseases. Once you obtain that, you can become a manager.

Other popular advanced education options for phlebotomists include:

• A Licensed Practical Nurse program and license

What To Expect At The Phlebotomist

For most blood draws, the phlebotomist will:

• Ask for your name and birthdate or other identifying information
• Determine if you are nervous or have concerns
• Ask your consent for the test
• Locate an accessible vein and apply the tourniquet
• Practice good hand hygiene, put on gloves, and disinfect the site where the blood will be taken
• Insert the needle and withdraw the required amount of blood, capping and labeling the samples immediately
• Release the tourniquet, withdraw the needle, and apply gauze or a cotton ball to the puncture site
• Ask you to hold your arm straight up for a few minutes, then put a bandage on the site
• Dispose of waste materials and make sure you are okay before allowing you to leave

After you leave, the phlebotomist will finish preparing the samples for storage or transfer.

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Can Nurses Do Blood Draws

Drawing blood is one of the skills required of a registered nurse. While there are phlebotomists that work at the hospital, you cant count on them to always be there when your patient needs an important lab test done.

What are the risks of being a phlebotomist? TOP CONS OF BEING A PHLEBOTOMIST

• Exposure to pathogens.
• Encounters with Angry and rude people.
• Some people may be hard sticks.
• The low margin of error.
• How is your bedside manner?
• Long hours of standing.

How long does it take to become phlebotomist?

Before you become certified, you must complete a phlebotomy training program. Phlebotomist school is short in lengthone to two semesters, or 4 to 8 months, depending on your schooland prepares you to work with patients and in different settings such as labs, blood banks, and hospitals.

How many levels of phlebotomy are there? The California Department of Public Health offers three certification levels: limited phlebotomy technician, certified phlebotomy technician I and certified phlebotomy technician II. As a limited phlebotomy technician, you can only perform skin punctures.

What Organizations Manage Phlebotomy Certification

Right now, there is not one organization that manages phlebotomy certification on a national basis. Consequently, it is important that you know what certification organization is recognized by the state where you will practice. There are six organizations that you might consider for phlebotomy certification:

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What To Look For In A School

There are many phlebotomy programs offered throughout the county. The best school for you is the one that best aligns with your career goals. It can be a good idea to check with major employers in your area to see if there are any schools they recommend. Hospitals and healthcare institutions might even have their own education programs.

You can literally get on-the-job training in some cases, House says. Always check with a manager before purchasing a phlebotomy course.

Some employers offer their own educational programs for aspiring phlebotomists.

Its also a good idea to find out if the programs youre interested in are approved by professional organizations. Certificate-level programs arent generally accredited thats reserved for degree programs. However, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences does approve phlebotomy certificate programs.

Programs that are NAACLS-approved also offer a direct path to PBT certification. Graduates of a NAACLS program can apply to take the certification exam without needing to meet any additional requirements.

Beyond ensuring that your educational program is held in high standing, youll also want to make sure your school fulfills your specific needs. Look for schools that fit your schedule and your budget. It might be important to find a school that is close to your current job, one that offers part-time options, or that has an excellent work placement rate.

What Is Phlebotomy What Does A Phlebotomist Do How Do I Become A Phlebotomist

A phlebotomist is someone who draws blood from a patient, for a variety of procedures including tests, transfusions, research, medical procedures or donations. Phlebotomists might work with patients, doctors, nurses, scientists and lab technicians. As a phlebotomist, you need good interpersonal skills and a focused, professional attitude. In addition to taking patient blood samples, you might perform clerical tasks, maintain equipment, conduct lab work or perform data entry. Phlebotomists are typically also trained to help patients feel comfortable for a procedure and on how to provide assistance if a patient has an adverse reaction to a procedure.

Simply put, phlebotomists draw blood samples from patients to test for illness and health conditions. Additionally, depending on where you work, you may also be entering patient, specimen, and insurance information into billing systems organizing blood-drawing trays and taking inventories of and sterilizing equipment.

While training to be a phlebotomist, you will typically take courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and medical law and ethics as well as receive in-depth, hands-on experience with simulation equipment for practicing blood draws.

Phlebotomists work in several different types of environments, including hospitals, doctors offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, home health services, diagnostic labs and blood donation centers.

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Certifications For Phlebotomy Technicians

After you obtain your phlebotomy technician diploma, you should consider obtaining your certification. The Nationally Registered Certified Phlebotomy Technician is administered by the National Association for Health Professionals . Additionally, you can obtain your CPR certification to add to your résumé.

Some schools like IMBC will cover the costs of the professional certification exams.

As you complete your program and certifications for phlebotomy, you may want to consider relocating for the right job opportunity. The great news is that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs is expected to grow 25% by 2026, adding more than 30,000 new phlebotomy technician jobs throughout the country. Now might just be the right time to complete your training.

What Does A Phlebotomy Technician Do

Phlebotomy technicians collect blood from patients and prepare the samples for testing. Most work in hospitals and clinics, but some collect blood for donation purposes. Phlebotomy technicians are important members of the health care team and often need to explain the blood-drawing procedure and put patients at ease.

With constantly evolving medical technologies, phlebotomy technicians must know the difference in blood test types and should be aware of how medications and diet impact blood samples.

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Which Certification Is Right For Me

There are several factors to consider when youre trying to determine the right certification for your phlebotomy career. Theres no single right answer or best certification. However, there are some questions to consider that can help you make the best choice:

• Does your school or program recommend a specific certification after you graduate?
• Is there a certification your desired employer requires or prefers?
• What certification or certifications do your education and experience make you eligible for?

What Is Drawing Blood

A process in which blood is drawn from a vein using a needle, generally for laboratory testing. A blood draw may also be performed in order to eliminate excess red blood cells from the blood in order to treat specific blood diseases. Also known as phlebotomy and venipuncture.

Based on my research, blood draws are necessary for many different tests including complete blood counts , renal function tests, liver function tests, coagulation studies, and glucose levels if you’re diabetic.

Blood draws are usually done by trained staff members in hospital settings or by certified phlebotomists out in private practice. But each situation requires its own unique method so they can get all of your blood into as little of your body as possible. For example, you might be asked to sit still while a nurse or phlebotomist goes into your arm or leg with a needle attached to a tube that will eventually lead to the lab. Or you might be given a shot of something called anticoagulant medicine at the site of the blood draw before the sample is taken.

Some people fear blood draws but this procedure is very safe when done by trained professionals. You should always seek out multiple opinions for treatments that could affect your health. One reason for this is that there is no such thing as one “right” treatment for anything.

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What Is Phlebotomy Today

Its amazing to think that these practices were still being conducted in the early 1900s. Thankfully, modern bloodletting is a completely different scene today. Phlebotomy in todays medical sphere has a different use. It isnt used to simply release blood from the body, but rather to take a sample of blood from a patient for diagnostic purposes which is under the direct order of a physician. Thankfully, today the process of taking a blood sample is safe, quick and pain-free when performed by a certified phlebotomist with the use of sterile tools in a healthcare environment.

Today, a phlebotomist has a variety of roles including:

Drawing blood from blood donors and patients Evaluate a patients ability to withstand procedures Explain various blood-drawing procedures to patients and answer any questions they may have Perform basic care testing, such as blood glucose levels Prepare urine, blood, and other specimens for testing Maintain medical equipment such as test tubes, needles, and blood vials

Attorneys Recovering Compensation For Blood Draw Needlestick Injuries

Injuries resulting from a failure to follow the standard of care can form the basis of a lawsuit alleging negligence. Compensatory damages may be available for noneconomic damage such as pain and suffering as well as compensation for medical bills and lost time from work. Our blood draw injury and needlestick attorneys have experience representing clients in these cases. If you, a family member or a friend have been injured, or if you simply have questions about blood draw injuries, contact us now at 410 583 8000 or use our Quick Contact Form. All consultations are free, and our fees are paid out of the compensation that we achieve for our clients. We never ask our clients to pay for expenses in injury cases.

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Job Outlook For Phlebotomists

Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 10 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 21,500 openings for phlebotomists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

What To Expect In Your Phlebotomy Program

Prerequisites: Youll need a high school diploma or GED before you can begin. Most programs will also require you to be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check, and have active CPR certification.

Curriculum: Patient safety, medical terminology, physiology, anatomy, and infection control.

Time to Complete: 4-6 months

Clinical Work Requirements: Youll need to complete clinical hours and get hands-on experience. Most programs will require that you successfully complete a specific number of supervised blood draws.

Who this Program Is Best For: People who want to jump into the healthcare field quickly.

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What Are The Different Types Of Blood Tests

There are many different types of blood tests. Common ones include:

• Complete blood count . This test measures different parts of your blood, including red and white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. A CBC is often included as part of a regular checkup.
• Basic metabolic panel. This is a group of tests that measure certain chemicals in your blood, including glucose, calcium, and electrolytes.
• Blood enzyme tests. Enzymes are substances that control chemical reactions in your body. There are many types of blood enzyme tests. Some of the most common types are troponin and creatine kinase tests. These tests are used to find out if you’ve had a heart attack and/or if your heart muscle is damaged.
• Blood tests to check for heart disease. These include cholesterol tests and a triglyceride test.
• Blood clotting tests, also known as a coagulation panel. These tests can show if you have a disorder that causes too much bleeding or too much clotting.

What Is The Difference Between Certification And Licensure For A Phlebotomist

We have talked a little bit about certification and licensure, but what do those words mean? What is the difference between certification and licensure?

Licensure is a state-mandated and sanctioned process in which you apply for and receive permission from the state to practice in a field. Typically, you must pass a course and then pass an exam before you are licensed. If required by the state, you cannot be a phlebotomist without the license. To legally practice, you MUST have a license.

Certification refers to the process in which a non-governmental organization recognized by the state has deemed that you have met requirements that allows you to perform certain tasks. Certification does NOT mean that you are licensed as a phlebotomist in those states that require licensure. That is a separate process.

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How Are Leeches Used In Medicine

• Leech therapy was used since ancient times for purifying blood and curing any diseases. People believed that getting blood drawn by leeches will help them get healthier due to the medical properties in its saliva.
• Although surgeons developed more sophisticated treatments, the 17th and 18th centuries were still rife with all forms of bloodletting treatments. One of the most interesting practices was leeching.
• Since leeches carry blood ten times their body weight, they were used to drain blood from a patientâs body until they fainted.
• Using leeches in medicine is still not an uncommon practice. The anticoagulant in their saliva, called âHirudinâ, is used as a medicine to prevent blood clotting.
• Although the practice of leeching is still prevalent, the objectives and uses have greatly evolved since the 18th century.

Needless to say, the primitive practice of getting blood drawn did far more harm than good. It is argued that most of the benefits this may have generated is largely down to the placebo effect. The practice of getting blood drawn is said to have made the plague far, far worse than what it could have been. Itâs interesting to note that today, the first reaction we have when we see an open wound is to sterilize and bandage it. Can you believe that just three centuries ago, our ancestors might have considered the open wound to be therapeutic? Read more about how medieval medicine helped people to survive.

Why Is The Median Cubital Vein Used The Most

The median cubital vein is used the most for its accessibility. It is large and near the skins surface, making it easier for phlebotomists to see before anchoring the vein. The median cubital creates less bruising and pain than other draw sites.

Within the antecubital fossa, this vein poses the least amount of risk. Unlike the cephalic and basilic veins, the median cubital vein is not near major nerves or arteries.

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