Putting People AT Ease While Drawing Their Blood: Phlebotomy Degree
Would you enjoy working as a laboratory technician or medical assistant that specializes in phlebotomy? Does it sound like your dream job or would you like to use it as a stepping stone for moving on to more complex roles in the medical field? Studying phlebotomy will enable you to become proficient at drawing blood from patients, which can then be used for analysis and diagnosis. It is a very vital procedure and has an important role in the medical field. By studying the subject you can ensure that you are able to extract blood with efficiency and without causing undue discomfort for your patient. Since blood analysis is one of the most important tools that medical clinicians have available to them as a diagnostic tool, it means that the work done by phlebotomists is of vital importance.
Phlebotomy Degree Information
Associate of Applied Science in EKG - Phlebotomy Technician
The Associate of Applied Science in EKG - Phlebotomy Technician is a two-year degree program aimed at students who are interested in a phlebotomist, medical assistant, EKG technician, or related field. Core courses include blood chemistry analysis, clinical hematology, cardiac rehabilitation, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic clinical procedures, medical office practice, and more. Additional courses in humanities, science, mathematic,s and psychology are generally also required to earn your degree in this field.
Certification
Although a degree in phlebotomy is generally not required for work, many employers require candidates to at least have certification. Certification can be obtained through organizations such as American Medical Technologists, National Healthcareer Association, and American Society for Clinical Pathology. While not mandatory, certain states like Louisiana and California require you to be certified before you are allowed to practice phlebotomy. Certification exams can generally be taken after all the requirements, such as a certain amount of instruction, clinical training, and unaided skin punctures have been performed. Depending on the state in which you practice, you might also be required to take continuing education courses to maintain your certification.
Phlebotomy Degree FAQs
Is It Possible To Study Phlebotomy Online?
Because phlebotomy is such a hands-on profession, there are no courses available that are exclusively online. However, hybrid programs do exist where you can study coursework online and perform the hands-on clinical experiences at another location.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate To Study For This Type of Degree?
All phlebotomy training programs generally require students to be at least 18 years of age to apply and have a high school diploma or GED. In terms of subjects, an aptitude for mathematics and science is recommended. First and foremost, phlebotomy is probably not a good career choice for anyone afraid of needles or squeamish about the sight of blood! Good people skills are an advantage as you’ll be working with patients. It is also important to be compassionate as your work involves dealing with patients that might be scared of the process involved with drawing blood. One of the most vital skills to have as a phlebotomist is being detail-oriented. Incorrect data or losing track of vials of blood can cause a lot of problems, which is why being detail-oriented is so important. Since the job requires you to work with your hands a lot, it is a big advantage to have a high degree of dexterity. Finally, to avoid causing patients pain or discomfort, it is crucial to have good hand-eye coordination.
What Are My Possible Employment Options After Studying Phlebotomy?
After completing your studies and becoming a phlebotomist there are a couple of potential employment options typically available. Most phlebotomists begin their careers by working at medical and diagnostic laboratories, private practices, or either state or federal hospitals. Many phlebotomists also choose to work at blood donor centers, which might involve traveling to different sites in order to set up mobile donation centers.
How Much Can I Potentially Earn While Working As A Phlebotomist?
There are a couple of factors that can influence your potential income when working as a phlebotomist. Two of the most important factors are the size of the institute where you might be working and the type of duties that are assigned to you. According to the 2016 median pay statistics, published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomists earned a salary of about $32,710 per year. Medical and diagnostic laboratories tend to offer the highest salaries for this occupation, followed by other ambulatory healthcare services. It is also predicted that the employment of phlebotomists will grow 25 percent until 2024, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This is due to the need for the bloodwork performed by phlebotomists at hospitals, blood donor centers, diagnostic laboratories, and other locations.
What Type of Duties Might I Have When Working In This Type of Industry?
When working as a phlebotomist your duties might vary depending on your place of employment, but generally, most jobs require you to do most of the following. Primarily you will be responsible for drawing blood, either from patients or from blood donors. You will also be responsible for labeling the blood that is drawn as well as entering the patient information into a database. This also requires you to verify the identity of the patient or donor to ensure that everything is labeled properly. Since having blood drawn can be a very daunting experience, you might need to talk to patients in order to help them feel less nervous about the process that they are about to undergo. Finally, the assembly and maintenance of all the required medical instruments to do your job typically fall under your responsibility. These include blood vials, needles, test tubes, and more. Working as a phlebotomist is a full-time job and might also require you to work during nights, over weekends, and during holidays, especially when employed at a hospital or lab.
What Are The Other Advantages To Studying For This Degree?
In many nursing professions, it is required to have an understanding of phlebotomy, so it is a good place to start for anyone who wants to pursue careers in the medical field. Also, while certification or a degree isn’t necessarily required to work in this field, it can enhance your career prospects and possibly lead to higher pay or benefits.
