How to Earn a Phlebotomist Certification?

Answer 1

A Phlebotomist is a fancy word for someone who is trained to draw blood. You see them at hospitals, urgent care centers, and doctor’s offices. They are the ones that come in to the patient’s room before the doctor does to draw blood for testing. Thy report conclusions of findings to the doctors, or RNs to receive proper medical care for any blood-born pathogen related illness.

What a Phlebotomist Needs To Know

A Phlebotomist needs to be able to see the best entry points to draw blood from, know how to label the specimens properly and how to read samples to give the doctors the results so that they know how to care for patients. They need to know proper labeling procedures, the proper tools to use, where to draw blood and safety measures when dealing with blood born pathogens that might be contributing to illnesses. They also need to know the proper documentations for their findings so they conform to their state or country’s standards.

Education and Training

It used to be that Phlebotomists were “understudies” who picked up learning how to take blood samples from an RN or their doctor. Today, it is become a full fledged career as one of the top earners in the medical field with a two year degree or certification. Phlebotomy Technicians study how to interact with patients as well as drawing blood, sample notation, legal aspects and standards and practices. Trade schools as well as four year colleges are providing these courses. Upon completion of these courses, students must complete the National Career and Health Association exam to receive their certificate. High School students on their way to college can start their practicum hours early with some programs and train to become a Phlebotomist by “job shadowing” or learning by observation. Most states require that students have at least a General Education Diploma or are a High School graduate with six weeks of training before they become phlebotomists.