Are you a medical assistant looking to grow your career?
Medical assistants may not get the attention of doctors and nurses, but they’re among the most essential workers in healthcare, performing any number of small tasks that make it possible for doctors and nurses to do their jobs. One such task is blood draws–a task that’s performed all the time in doctors’ offices but actually requires skill and certification.
The good news? You can get the skills you need (and the career growth you want) with a phlebotomy certification. Here’s a closer look at what a phlebotomy technician does and why it’s worth pursuing a certification.
What Does a Phlebotomy Technician Do?
Phlebotomy, sometimes called venipuncture, is an important tool to diagnose a variety of medical conditions. It’s also a commonplace procedure–phlebotomy is simply puncturing a vein, usually in the patient’s arm, to draw blood. This may be performed for blood tests in a medical laboratory, but it can also be used as a treatment for certain medical conditions like sickle cell disease or hemochromatosis.
A phlebotomy technician, or phlebotomist, is someone certified to perform phlebotomy. On any given day, a phlebotomist may:
- Prepare patients for blood draws
- Guide nervous patients through blood draws
- Conduct blood draws or transfusions
- Assist patients experiencing adverse reactions
- Identify, label, and track blood samples
- Gather, inventory, and maintain blood draw supplies
Essentially, you’re responsible for all elements of blood drawing or transfusion–and caring for patients through the process.
Benefits of a Phlebotomy Certification for Medical Assistants
A variety of medical professionals can benefit from a phlebotomy certification, from RNs and LPNs to EMTs. For medical assistants, a phlebotomy certification has even more benefits, ranging from increased marketability and earning potential to more opportunities for patient care.
Increased Salary and Potential for Advancement in a Fast-Growing Field
Phlebotomy is considered a vocational skill requiring specialized training. For medical assistants, it’s a simple but indispensable skill that opens a lot of doors.
Because phlebotomy is needed in most healthcare settings, from private practices to hospitals to laboratories, a phlebotomy certification allows you to work as a specialized worker in a huge array of healthcare settings.
Plus, your skills are in high demand. Medical assistants already work in a field with a 19% growth rate. Phlebotomists have 17% career field growth (much higher than average across all fields) but they also earn more money than medical assistants.
It’s Easy for a Medical Assistant to Become a Phlebotomy Technician
While phlebotomy is a specialized skill set, it’s relatively easy for a medical assistant to gain a phlebotomy certification, especially in comparison to pursuing a nursing license. On average, phlebotomy vocational training only takes a few short months.
After that, you take an exam. At the National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP), the gold standard for phlebotomy certifications, our exam consists of 100 questions covering everything from clinical competency to order of draw to HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
Making Patients Feel Comfortable
Above all, your job as a phlebotomy technician is about patient care. If you’re a medical assistant that wants to be more involved in direct medical care, a phlebotomy certification gives you the opportunity for more medically involved procedures–and the chance to work with patients during those procedures.
Colleagues with a Passion for Patient Care
Last but not least, a phlebotomy certification gives you the chance to work with colleagues who share your passion for patient care.
Because you interact directly with patients, and because many people are nervous about blood draws, patient care is half of the job. Your certification lets you work with colleagues who share your passion for patient care while also being more involved in the actual process of medical care.
Getting Your Phlebotomy Certification
For medical assistants who want to grow their careers while caring for patients, a phlebotomy certification is one of the best investments you can make.
NAPTP is the gold standard in phlebotomy certifications. We were established in 1998 to help set national guidelines for patient safety in blood draws and blood testing, and we’ve helped thousands of phlebotomists gain the tools they need to excel in their careers. If you’re ready to make an investment in your career, click here to register for your exam and review course.
