Phlebotomy: The Five Ws and One H

About any topic you want to know more about, you should ask the five Ws and one H, and that is also true about Phlebotomy.

what-is-phlebotomy

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is the process of puncturing veins or making an incision with a needle in a vein, also known as venipuncture.

The name comes from the Greek phleb (which means vein) and tomy (which refers to make an incision or puncturing). Currently phlebotomy is used to refer to the extraction of the blood from the body.

phlebotomy-who

Who performs Phlebotomy?

A phlebotomy procedure is usually performed by a phlebotomist. Other healthcare practitioners like nurses or doctors will also perform phlebotomy, but because of their expertise and specialization, phlebotomists are usually hired to collect blood.

What is a Phlebotomist and what does a Phlebotomist do?

A Phlebotomist is a person trained to collect a blood specimen, and most health professionals have some training and experience in phlebotomy. A phlebotomy technician is a person who has completed training and certification in the skill of phlebotomy.

The main duty of Phlebotomists is to collect blood, but they will also assist in taking care of a patient by making good records in the patient’s folder & organize, label, and send the collected samples for the labs for testing.

phlebotomy-why

Why Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is an exciting career with a good future outlook, with the demand for phlebotomists growing every year. Become a phlebotomist will be a good option to work on the healthcare sector, and you can always pursue other career options in the area.

Also, phlebotomy training is less time intensive that most of other medical fields that require years of training – you can get your phlebotomy certification in months.

phlebotomy-where

Where is Phlebotomy practiced (or where does a Phlebotomist work)?

A Phlebotomist can work in several places, such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Health Centers
  • Clinics
  • Doctor’s Offices
  • Clinical and/or Research Laboratories
  • Blood Banks
  • Nursing Homes
  • Health Care Facilities

Where to learn Phlebotomy?

There are many healthcare organisations, schools and community colleges that have phlebotomy training and certification. You can have a look of schools that offer phlebotomy training in your state (or country).

phlebotomy-when

When to become a phlebotomist?

Usually people get their training in phlebotomy after getting their High School Diploma. The objective is to get an employment as a phlebotomist, so they need to get training first.
Others, like medical professionals, will get phlebotomy training to have more employment options, it’s a relevant skill in the healthcare sector.

phlebotomy-how

How to become a Phlebotomist?

The main steps to become a phlebotomist are:

  • Graduation / Prior Education: The first step to become a phlebotomist is to get your High School Diploma (or equivalent like GED)
  • Training: You need to get trained in phlebotomy by enrolling in a phlebotomy course or program. Usually the phlebotomy programs will include classroom training and hands-on practice
  • Certification: After your phlebotomy training you need to get your phlebotomy certification. Phlebotomy certifications are offered in different phlebotomy agencies
  • Employment: You are finally in the position to get a job as a phlebotomist in all the different locations where a phlebotomist can work, such as hospitals, clinics, labs, etc.

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