A phlebotomist is the one who draws blood samples from the blood donor or the patients. Thereafter, he prepares the specimen to test. Several patients have phobias when it comes to needles and blood and thus, giving blood might appear to be difficult. It is the job of the phlebotomist to maintain an atmosphere of confidence and trust while they draw blood skillfully. Here are steps the steps to become a successful phlebotomist.

  1. High School Diploma

The primary step to future training or education is completing the high-school course.

  • You have to obtain a high-school diploma or a degree equivalent to it.
  • GED is the prime requisite if you have to enter phlebotomy.
  • Also, you need to be 18 years of age for entering the program.
  1. Research and Find Out a Training Program

A majority of the training schools offers one year program. You can go for the classes at community or technical college.

  • Research and find out a local technical college close to you. There is a high chance that one of them will offer a phlebotomy program. No online programs are available as you need hands-on experience of drawing blood.
  • Make sure that the training program is accredited. The top accreditation agency is the National Accrediting Agency. With this, your certification is going to be useful wherever you go.
  • Learn the best practices for the field to be prepared for the job.
  1. Complete Phlebotomy Training

If you are interested in phlebotomy, you have to enroll in a technical school or college.

  • During this training, period learns how to draw blood and how to interact with patients in the right manner.
  • Common courses are equipment disposal, lab safety, and probably legal issues.
  • Students are going to balance what they learn in the classroom with training in the hospital or some other clinical environment. If you are able to complete a series of tests successful along with skin punctures, your training will be complete.
  1. Earn 1040 Hours of Work Experience

Training programs come with practicum with classroom training.  For this, you might require an apprenticeship or internship to complete the hours of work experience.

  • You need to have work experience hours to secure additional certification. Albeit, certification might not always be necessary, it will give added opportunities, as well as salary.
  • Other than your work experience, it is necessary to complete about 100 venipunctures. This will show that you can draw blood from people, successfully.
  1. Get Certification and License

After you are done with the education program, you can choose to be a certified professional. Get the certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathologist, American Association of Medical Personnel, or American Medical Technologists.

  • To be certified, it is necessary to meet the eligibility requirements which have been set by an organization. For instance, at AMT, candidates should be graduated from a reputed training program, should have 1040 work experience, and have passed their exam successfully.
  • Sometimes, phlebotomist also needs to be licensed in order to conduct work. For this, you need to check in with the health department or occupational licensing in the state where you plan to work.
  1. Get a Job

Now, it is time to apply for a job at the medical office or health care. This is such a career choice that you will be able to work a little bit everywhere. Medical and health care offices always have to take blood.

  • Start looking for a job over the internet. Check out the medical and health care offices around your area.
  • You can also visit local medical offices. In case they do not have any opening, they can point towards the other locations.
  • You can also submit applications to clinics and hospitals. Hospitals are in constant need of phlebotomist. You can do the initial application over the internet.
  1. Requirements in Medical Clinic

Clinics also require phlebotomists as they have to test blood or take out blood for sending it for testing.

  • There are plasma businesses that might also be looking for a phlebotomist. You can start with Red Cross as it is a good place to start.
  • Plasma donation centers take a lot of blood. However, some centers require you to get additional certification or training.

TIPS

  • The most important job of the patient is to protect the health and safety of the patient. Hence, they should ease out the nervousness.

You can enhance your certification by DPT or Donor Phlebotomy Technicians. This will qualify you to work in the blood donation centers.

How long does it take to train to be a phlebotomist?

Phlebotomist school is short in length—one- to-two semesters, or 4 to 8 months, depending upon your school—and prepares you to work with patients and in different settings such as labs, blood banks and hospitals. You’ll learn about new diagnostic methods and the latest lab technology.

Is it hard to become a phlebotomist?

Is it hard to become a phlebotomist? Being a phlebotomist is not hard but it does require lots of training and practice. Phlebotomists will learn a lot on the job and will get better as they gain more experience drawing blood. This job may be difficult for individuals who are sensitive to the sight of bodily fluids.

Is a phlebotomist higher than a CNA?

Phlebotomy technicians tend to make more than certified nursing assistants. In 2010, half of all phlebotomists earned at least $13.50 an hour, or $28,080 a year, according to a survey by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Do phlebotomists make good money?

Becoming a phlebotomist can provide you with a competitive salary when it comes to an entry-level position. On average, phlebotomists make about $16 an hour. Annually, that’s almost $33,000 each year. Several factors can help a phlebotomist get a pay raise.

Can you make a living off being a phlebotomist?

As this job carries even more responsibility, according to Payscale, you can earn $45,000 per year or more, depending on where you land a job. As for phlebotomy instructors, it is another step higher than a donor phlebotomy technician. If you want an even higher income, you can become a mobile phlebotomist.

Why do phlebotomist make so little?

Since the supply is so high, employers can get away with paying phlebotomists less, because they’re easy to find. A person’s salary is less a reflection of their utility and more a reflection of how easy/difficult their skills are to come by.

What is the highest paid phlebotomist?

Best-Paying States for Phlebotomists

The states and districts that pay Phlebotomists the highest mean salary are California ($45,940), District of Columbia ($43,820), New York ($42,950), Alaska ($42,100), and Washington ($41,380).

How much does phlebotomist make an hour?

Hourly Wage for Phlebotomist Salary
Percentile Hourly Pay Rate Location
10th Percentile Phlebotomist Salary $14 US
25th Percentile Phlebotomist Salary $15 US
50th Percentile Phlebotomist Salary $17 US
75th Percentile Phlebotomist Salary $19 US

Is a phlebotomy certification worth it?

Phlebotomy classes are also highly recommended because they are a way to launch yourself into a new career, regardless of a lack in college experience or a medical background. Classes act as a quick catalyst as well, because most do not take long to complete.

Who gets paid more a CNA or phlebotomist?

Salary. Phlebotomy technicians tend to make more than certified nursing assistants. In 2010, half of all phlebotomists earned at least $13.50 an hour, or $28,080 a year, according to a survey by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

What is the next step after becoming a phlebotomist?

Your next step may be considering some career path options that involve what you’ve learned in your classes. Some career paths of phlebotomy-certified individuals include: nursing, medical assisting, physician assisting, EKG technician, and medical lab tech.

What two skills are important for phlebotomy?

5 Qualities of a Phlebotomist
  • Compassion. A Phlebotomist’s primary duty is drawing blood.
  • Detail oriented. Phlebotomists must draw the correct vials of blood for the tests ordered, track vials of blood, and enter data into a database.
  • Hand–eye coordination.
  • Ability to Multitask.
  • Team Player.

Why should we hire you phlebotomy?

Why should I hire you as a Phlebotomist? You should hire me because I have the experience and the personality. I am perfect for the position. I believe that I can be an effective asset to the company and bring high quality healthcare to your patients.

What questions are asked in a phlebotomy interview?

Quest & Labcorp Phlebotomy Interview Questions
  • Why do you want to work for this company?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • How do you stay focused when you are under stress?
  • What are your strengths?
  • Do you have experience drawing blood from geriatric patients?

Is phlebotomy a skill?

Phlebotomy is about much more than learning how to draw blood. In fact, the best phlebotomists have a perfect combination of hard and soft skills that make them successful. Hard skills are teachable skills — like drawing blood — that every phlebotomist must know.

Is phlebotomy a good career?

Phlebotomy can be a rewarding career as you get to work with a variety of people. You get to help patients on a daily basis. On top of it all, it doesn’t take a lot of time or money to start training. It’s considered an entry-level career, but it’s a much better option than many jobs.

What to Know Before becoming a phlebotomist?

However, for all agencies, aspiring professionals must:
  • Complete a phlebotomy education course.
  • Hold a current CPR certification.
  • Have graduated from high school or have obtained a GED.
  • Complete the required clinical training either with a required number of on the job training hours or a number of venipunctures.

What are a phlebotomist duties?

The primary duties and responsibilities of a Phlebotomist include: Using technical equipment to safely draw blood from patients. Explaining the process of drawing blood clearly to a patient. Sending blood samples to testing laboratories. Keeping track of blood samples and results that are returned after testing.