Who is a phlebotomist?

In this article we explain what prospective students should know about phlebotomist schools and the profession of phlebotomy. One of the crucial support roles in the healthcare sector is that of a phlebotomist. The workload of doctors and nurses are on the increase, hospitals now employ certified phlebotomists to reduce their workload. A phlebotomist is a qualified medical technician who draws blood for testing and transfusions. They should be competent in creating a relaxed atmosphere for the patients.

Training to become a phlebotomist

Formal phlebotomist training is a short process and can be obtained through accredited technical and vocational schools or from local colleges offering training programs in phlebotomy. One can choose from certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree programs. The certificate course is preferred by most individuals. The course durations can vary from 3 months to a year. The cost of phlebotomy training depends on the school chosen. Course fees in community colleges start from as low as $200. However, private phlebotomist schools cost more with fees varying from $1400 to $3200, depending on the course chosen.

Training at phlebotomist schools comprises learning the principles of vein puncturing, progressive information of the circulatory system, blood collecting techniques, specimen handling and labelling, medical ethics etc. Training is usually conducted in real clinical settings to get in depth practical knowledge.

Choosing a phlebotomist school

Thorough research is required before finalizing a phlebotomist school. The following are some of the factors that have to be checked while evaluating phlebotomist schools:

• The school should provide theoretical and practical training. There should be ample facilities for on-the-job training so that one can become a skilled phlebotomist in the shortest possible time.
• The school should be accredited by any of the ten National Certifying Agencies like the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Service (NAACLS). Their website provides a list of accredited schools. These schools will be able to provide financial aid, if required.
• Equipments used by the schools should be designated by the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Clinical and Laboratory Sciences Institutes (CLSI).
• The cost involved in obtaining the requisite training is a key deciding factor. The course should be affordable and, if required, the school should be able to provide financial assistance.

Many schools have websites that provide extensive information about the courses, facilities, requirements, etc. One can also obtain considerable information from phlebotomist community websites.

Working as a licensed phlebotomist

On completion of the selected training program, the student should appear for the certification exam to become a licensed phlebotomist. A license is not essential to work as a phlebotomist, but obtaining one would greatly increase the chances of finding employment as also will aid in career advancement.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), The National Phlebotomy Association (NPA) and the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) are the organizations that issue licenses to phlebotomists. The obtain a license from either ASCP or ASPT, the student should undergo 120 hours of training which should include 40 hours of classroom sessions with 50 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures. NPA requires 160 hours of lecture with 200 hours of practical and clinical training to appear for the licensing test.

The healthcare industry is least affected by economic upheavals. The industry is continuously scouting for technically trained personnel. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for clinical laboratory workers are expected to increase by 14% between 2008 and 2018. Average salaries of phlebotomists exceed $25,000 per year.

As on date, the demand for phlebotomists is higher than the supply. Phlebotomist schools across the nation are training more people to meet this demand. The cost of getting trained and obtaining a phlebotomist license is reasonable. It is a career choice for someone looking for a basic allied health job, while not wanting to spend much time and cost in acquiring the skills.