subject: How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician - Choosing a Bold Career Path [print this page] How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician - Choosing a Bold Career Path
Does the sight of blood aggravate you or make you feel uncomfortable? If not, then you should definitely look into becoming a Phlebotomy Technician. The following information will give you some insight on how to start your career in this field.
Duties and Responsibilities
A Phlebotomy Technician is a person who collects blood and other samples for laboratory analysis. Some of the primary responsibilities of this job include:
Collecting and sending blood work and other samples to the laboratory
Keeping abreast with the various drug testing laws
Giving instructions to patients
Checking patient vitals
Sterilizing and assembling the required equipment, such as needles, cotton, gloves, etc
Labeling sample containers with the correct patient information for identification
Providing assistance to doctors in diagnosing patients
Scheduling appointment for the doctors
Completing and filing all the paperwork involved
Reporting possible hazards to the lab supervisor
Properly disposing of fluids and other disposable equipment such as needles to avoid contamination
Training other newly recruited Phlebotomy Technicians
Educational Pre-Requisites
Normally Phlebotomy Technician training takes about six to eighteen months depending upon your program. However, you must start preparing yourself from high school by taking subjects like science and math. Next, you must enroll in an associate degree program where you are most likely to study subjects like anatomy, cellular and blood composition and laboratory methods and safety.
Apart from this, you will also be required to work on your interpersonal skills. This includes working with patients, and reassuring and calming them down. You will also be required to practice the alternative methods of drawing blood samples, learn to stain lab slides, etc.
Plus, you will also be required to sit for a comprehensive exam which will test you on all different areas of phlebotomy in order become certified by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)
Training is just as important as studying within this field. Thus, you must try to obtain as much hands on training and internship as you can.
Career Outlook
The healthcare field is a booming industry where the demand for professionals in this line of work is on the rise. Employment opportunities for this job include working in a hospital lab, a doctor's clinic, the emergency room, private laboratories and blood banks.
Moreover, the average salary that you can expect within this career is somewhere around $24,000 to $35,000 annually. Thus, with so many lucrative benefits, not to mention the flexible working hours, becoming a Phlebotomy Technician might be just the right job for you.
