What role does a phlebotomist play in the health care field?

Answer 1

The phlebotomist plays a very important role. They are the people who come around and draw blood. They can work in the hospital, in doctor's offices, in blood banks, etc. Salaries have gone up for this profession in recent years. PhlebotomistTHE JOB * The lifeblood of a phlebotomist's job is, well, blood. A phlebotomist draws blood for tests, transfusions, donations and research. * Phlebotomist draw blood samples by venipuncture, skin puncture or arterial collection. * For apparent reasons, safety precautions must be taken to prevent the transmission of Infectious Diseases. Phlebotomists must adhere to strict policies and procedures while treating patients with care. * These healthcare professionals may work in hospitals, commercial laboratories, private physician offices, public health departments, clinics or blood banks. SKILLS * One of the main qualifications is an understanding of infection control and sterilization practices. Phlebotomists must be familiar with medical/hospital procedures and environments. * Phlebotomists must also be able to perform diagnostic procedures and accurately interpret results. They need to analyze information to make appropriate recommendations. * Obviously, good bedside manners are important too. Blood may not make you squeamish, but it does tend to have that effect on some. Phlebotomists deal with those people every day. EDUCATION * Educational requirements vary from state to state. Some states suggest certain certifications, and others require them. * There are a handful of widely recognized certifications. An organization will often hire someone as a phlebotomist, and then sponsor that person for a certification program or certify the individual in-house. OUTLOOK * According to an annual report from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, phlebotomists are in high demand. In fact, the report on a variety of medical occupations says, "Phlebotomists continued to be the most difficult day shift to fill, as vacancies increased significantly from 1998 at 23 percent to 27 percent in 2000." * Technological advances will continue to have two opposing effects on employment through 2008. Increasingly powerful diagnostic tests will encourage additional testing and spur employment. However, advances in laboratory automation and simple tests, which make it possible for each worker to perform more tests, should slow growth.