Learn how phlebotomy classes can prepare you for a career in health care, in as little as three months.
In
addition to venipuncture and drawing of blood in sterile conditions,
phlebotomy is also about supporting medical care by way of patient
management, carrying out critical administrative tasks, and creating
reports quickly and accurately.
Prerequisites:
A high school diploma or GED is an essential prerequisite. Minimum age for enrolment is 18 years.
You also need to be physically fit, able to move swiftly around, and able to manage people in times of distress.
Once
qualified, you can take licensing examinations. Only states like
California, Louisiana and Nevada requires a formal certification.
What You Will Learn from Phlebotomy Classes
Once you start your phlebotomy classes, you will learn about:
- Patient identification and patient care
- Human anatomy (especially related to veins)
- Medical equipments
- Blood collection methods and Labelling protocols
- Infection control and occupational safety
- Healthy and safe procedures
- Patient rights, professional standards, code of practice
- Addressing patient fears and preparation for emergencies
That is a quick list of things you will learn from your phlebotomy course.
How Much Does it Cost?
Phlebotomy
courses usually take $550 to $1000, depending on where you are going
to. There will also be expenses like textbook, equipments, etc.
The course duration is 40 to 80 hours, which can go up to 100 hours, depending on the kind of training you are undergoing.
As
per job requirements, nurses and other healthcare professionals also
may be required to take phlebotomy training. Those are on-the-job
training programs, which qualify healthcare professionals with the
skills and requirements of phlebotomy.
Job of a Phlebotomy Technician
It
will be your job to take blood samples from patients as required by a
physician. You will get trained to collect blood for testing and
transfusion without disturbing the medical care they are receive.
It will also be your duty to verify patient identity, take vital signs like pulse and blood pressure, donor screening, etc.
You will also put the patients at ease, and explain the procedure in simple terms.
Label the blood samples and store them properly.
You will apply your knowledge of infection control and safe procedures.
You will also create reports and make recommendations based on analysis of information available.
There is a big growth of
vacancies for trained phlebotomy technicians – at hospitals, clinical
laboratories, physician offices, etc. This qualification can also help
you if you are currently work as a home care giver, nurse or other a
healthcare professional of any kind.