The Right Training
May 4, 2012
Phlebotomy training is readily available in all shapes and sizes. Students can enroll in phlebotomy programs that can range from several days to more than a year in duration. So why spend a year or more when you can enroll in a phlebotomy certification course that can be completed in just a few days or months?
The first obvious reason is of course the potential in finding a job. The work of a phlebotomy technician involves much more than simply knowing how to draw blood from patients. Professionals in the field must have a thorough knowledge of laboratory and labeling procedures, infection safety precautions, appropriate blood draw techniques for the elderly and for infants and more. Studying phlebotomy for a few days will not prepare you for all the duties that are required of all employees working in a medical facility where blood samples are taken or analyzed. Since quality control, safe specimen collection and processing are vital for accurate results; employers demand a high level of knowledge along with practical hands on experience in order to consider any applicant to be eligible for employment.
Once students have successfully passed their phlebotomy courses, they will be required to take their certification exams. These exams have both an oral and practical component and one must meet the eligibility requirements to take these exams. One of the specific prerequisites being a pre-determined number of hours of actual blood draws. In all likelihood, courses that last only a few days will not adequately prepare or entitle you to take the phlebotomy certification exams.
Phlebotomists are highly trained professionals in the health care field who must also have a good understanding in such areas as medical terminology, physiology, superior communication skills and so much more. A career as a phlebotomy technician is a rewarding one with potential for advancement for those who are properly trained. It is also a job that carries serious responsibilities where patients and physicians depend on accurate specimens for proper diagnosis. As well, it is a profession where continuous learning is essential in keeping up with new developments and technologies. Those that have completed their phlebotomy certification are also required to renew their license annually which again means taking re-certification exams.
