It is a fact that nurses, doctors and medical technicians can very well draw blood from their patients.
However of the lot, it is the phlebotomists who are considered to be the pros in effectively drawing blood.
This is because it is with thorough and exact phlebotomy training that they can easily draw blood samples, without causing much pain or discomfort to the patient.
Basically, in phlebotomy training, a phlebotomy student has to learn and master five areas of study to before they become, or are considered to be a qualified phlebotomist.
These areas of study are human anatomy, patient rapport, needle technique, medical safety and record keeping.
Learn to use various medical instruments By mastering these study areas, and with the help of these skills, the phlebotomist can not only help in providing comfort to the patient, but also learn to preserve the integrity of the patient's sample for the health of both the patient and the phlebotomist.
Besides mastering these areas of study, the phlebotomist student also has to know, and master the use of different types of medical equipment that they will have to use to help them while drawing blood.
These instruments include various sized syringes, biohazardous-spill kits, tourniquets, dermal puncture devices, blood culture bottles, locking arm rests, bandages and tape.
Without the knowledge of using these instruments, no phlebotomy training will be complete.
Choose between an associate or bachelor's degree The time span for completion of phlebotomy training is similar to that of a medical training.
You can gain an associate degree in two years' time or a bachelor's degree in phlebotomy in four years' time.
There are also many community colleges, hospital and private medical facilities providing vocational programs in phlebotomy training.
Here, students can receive complete phlebotomy training within a year's time.
To complete one's phlebotomy training, most states require that the student successfully completes a minimum of 25 venipunctures, where blood is taken from the patient's vein and 5 capillary draws where the blood test is carried out in the patient's finger or any part to check their blood sugar levels.
Some states require certification While these are minimal requirements, different states may have different requirements like Canada requires 50 venipunctures and 10 capillary draws and Louisiana, 100 and 25 respectively.
In addition to this, even after logging the required number of hours, some state Department of Health Services state that phlebotomists should also get certified by passing the National Exam for phlebotomy.
This test is usually held once a month in various institutions; so find out if you need to be licensed in your state, and where you have to take this national Exam to get certified.
As the phlebotomist student will be handling blood specimens, it is necessary that their phlebotomy training also include tips on the handling and controlling of biohazardous materials like samples and used needles.
This is obviously to prevent any possible spreading of contagious diseases the patient may be suffering from.
In addition to this, they should also learn proper beside manners and to give their patient top priority.