There are 4 main blood types, and each one can affect a person’s health in various ways, in addition to their unique genetic makeup. If you find this interesting and have always wanted a career in healthcare, then phlebotomy might be ideal for you.
Within the field of phlebotomy are the jobs of phlebotomist and phlebotomy technician.
What are the differences between a phlebotomist vs. phlebotomy technician? And which career is right for you? Read on to find out more.
What Is a Phlebotomist?
The first thing you should know is that in many cases, the term phlebotomist is interchangeable with phlebotomy technician. But because some workplaces do differentiate between the two, this article will treat them as different jobs.
A phlebotomist is a healthcare professional whose job is to deal with blood. Not only can they draw blood from patients, but they can also walk their patients through the process and monitor their vital signs afterward if needed. Phlebotomists can also collaborate with doctors and maintain their patients’ medical records.
What Is a Phlebotomy Technician?
A phlebotomy technician is also someone who can draw blood. They can also explain the procedure to patients and monitor them afterward if needed.
However, phlebotomy technicians work under phlebotomists. This means they usually assist by preparing for blood draws (such as sterilizing tools) and performing administrative tasks.
Phlebotomist vs. Phlebotomy Technician
Both phlebotomists and phlebotomy technicians need to get the same certificate and license by taking the NAPTP exam. To be eligible for this test, you need to be a recent graduate of a phlebotomy program within the past 6 months and have a minimum of 30 blood draws. Or you can have at least 65 live blood draws within a 2-year period.
An 85% or higher on the NAPTP exam earns you a certification and an affixed seal.
It’s true that in the end, phlebotomists and phlebotomy technicians have many of the same duties. In fact, in lots of facilities, their jobs are considered synonymous, with the one difference being that a phlebotomist oversees a team of technicians.
The main difference is the above scenario is more commonly found in larger facilities while a smaller one (like a private practice) has just one phlebotomist on staff. Because of this, some phlebotomists have a higher salary than their technician counterparts.
So if you’re interested in becoming a phlebotomist, you can start off as a technician and work your way up. Or you can seek employment at smaller medical offices.
Get Started on a Promising Career
Now you know the difference between a phlebotomist vs. phlebotomy technician. If either sounds like the ideal career for you, then the next step is to become qualified and certified. With the right credentials, you’ll be able to start your new career path in no time.
If you’d like to become a phlebotomy technician, then register for our review course now. The 6-week course is fully self-paced and on-demand, which means it can fit into your schedule how you wish.
