How About A Career As A Phlebotomist?

A phlebotomist? What in the world is a phlebotomist?

If you've ever sat in a doctor's office when a person walked in with a handful of test tubes, a needle and a rubber tube, that person is probably a phlebotomist. These people are trained and certified technicians who earn a median expected salary of $29,359 a year. Of course, that's a national median, and some phlebotomists earn less than this, while others earn more.

A more technical definition of a phlebotomist is a person who draws blood samples, verifies records and prepares specimens for analysis. The phlebotomist conducts patient interviews, checks vital signs and draws and tests blood samples to screen donors at a blood bank. Some phlebotomists receive special training in collecting arterial blood samples for blood gas tests.


Phlebotomists are in high demand

Whether it's a blood bank, a doctor's office, a medical clinic or a hospital, blood drawing from patients is an essential task. America's population is aging and as it does, it requires more medical care. More medical care means more of a need to draw blood from patients, which means the need for more phlebotomists.

In fact, becoming a phlebotomist offers the opportunity to be a part of the fast-growing healthcare field without having to become a nurse or doctor.

What it takes to become a phlebotomist

If you have an interest in becoming a phlebotomist, you will need to become certified. To become certified, you will need to take an examination sponsored by one of several different agencies, including the National Center for Competency Training, the American Credentialing Agency, the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification, the National Health Career Association and the American Medical Technologists. Phlebotomy is covered as part of American Association of Medical Assistants' nationally recognized exams. Certified Medical Assistants or CMAs are often hired to be phlebotomists.

If you already have one or more years of phlebotomy experience, there are some agencies that will certify you without a proctored examination. Other agencies allow employers to do the exam. However, not all certification options are honored by all healthcare employers. So if you would like to become a phlebotomist, you should choose your certification agency carefully.

How to become trained as a phlebotomist

Most phlebotomists today will train from two to four months - or for up to a year - in a career center or trade school. Alternately, a prospective phlebotomist can train within an established academic institution, in a hospital, medical facility or community college. Each training generally consists of a study of anatomy, legal aspects of blood collection, how to interact with patients, standard precautions and blood collection techniques. To qualify for phlebotomy training, you will need a to have a least a high school diploma or have passed the GED, be able to follow simple directions and procedures, and be comfortable working around blood and other bodily fluids.

Is a career as a phlebotomist for you?

While only you can answer this question, there are some things to consider. First, how do you feel about blood and other bodily fluids? If the idea of handling blood causes you to break out in goose bumps, phlebotomy is probably not for you. However, if you don't mind working with blood, if you enjoy interacting with patients and are looking for a high demand career, becoming a phlebotomist might be a good choice. You will work standard hours, be well respected as a professional and earn a reasonably good salary. And in today's economy, that sounds like a pretty good career.