Phlebotomy Certification

Medical careers are growing at a phenomenal pace, and among them is phlebotomy. This page was designed to provide you with a comprehensive, in depth look at what you can expect if you are pursuing your phlebotomy certification.  Due to the high demand for Phlebotomists you will find that the opportunities which await you are not only exciting, but well suited to just about any person who would like to take advantage of them.

Formerly blood samples were taken by nurses, doctors or laboratory technicians taught through on the job training. However as health care and the medical profession advanced and became more diverse, the need for allied health personnel increased. This included the need for trained persons to assume the responsibility for taking blood samples safely and efficiently. More recently phlebotomist training programs have become available at many educational institutions although some hospitals still offer on the job training to their employees.

To enroll in a phlebotomy program a student is required to have a high school diploma or GED certification.  Prospective students must also demonstrate the ability and willingness to work with blood products and bodily fluids comfortably.

Below are five key topics that are covered during a phlebotomy certification course:
1. Human anatomy showing the pathway of the various veins throughout the body and the need of the phlebotomist to identify the ones most viable for obtaining a specimen.
2. Needle techniques such as the application of gloves and the correct way to introduce the needle into a vein with ease and comfort to the patient.

3. Tools required by a phlebotomist such as tourniquets, different size syringes and other articles used in the process of obtaining blood specimen.

4. Medical safety guidelines: All institutions have certain guidelines concerning safety in the handling of fluids from the human body. This includes blood and blood products. The phlebotomist must be familiar with this and be able to practice safety when performing a procedure.

5. Record keeping of services performed, although certain guidelines will vary with different institutions.

Qualification requirements will vary per state; however the minimum required by phlebotomist is performing 100 successful vein punctures and five capillary samples. This means obtaining blood by the pricking of a finger, earlobe or other parts of the body for a small amount of specimen.

Duties of the phlebotomist will center largely on puncturing the veins of patients to obtain blood samples for laboratory testing or for intravenous therapy. It takes a lot of practice and precision on the part of the phlebotomist to pierce the vein at the right angle with ease to prevent excessive loss of blood and as much discomfort to the patient as possible.

Because of the hazardous nature of this profession, in the form of risks of infection to both patient and phlebotomist, training in the safe handling of infectious materials and disposing of used instruments such as needles and syringes are rigidly ingrained in the phlebotomist.