About 4.5 billion Americans require blood transfusions per year. In all of these cases, a phlebotomist must draw and transfuse the blood into the patient. This in addition to simple blood testing makes phlebotomy one of the most important medical fields.
But what is phlebotomy, exactly? That’s what we’re going to talk about here, so read on for a comprehensive phlebotomy guide.
What Is Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is the science of drawing blood from patients so that it can be analyzed in a medical laboratory. They also prepare blood for transfusions between multiple patients. Additionally, phlebotomists are the professionals who collect blood for blood drive donations.
In addition to drawing blood, the duties of a phlebotomist include:
- Talk with patients prior to, during, and after blood draws/transfusions
- Explain what blood draws/transfusions will entail to patients
- Maintain patient blood samples through the testing process
- Track patient blood samples as they are transported and tested
- Help other medical professionals with blood-related procedures
Phlebotomists can also ensure that hospital safety standards are met and take vital signs prior to blood draws.
Why Is It Important?
Drawing and testing blood is the first step towards diagnosing many illnesses in a patient. It lets you determine what the best course of treatment will be for someone’s specific health issues. Whether a patient is anemic or might be fighting leukemia, phlebotomy is the first step towards getting this information.
Blood transfusions also can be life-saving operations for patients with health issues. You can give healthy blood to those who are ill with diseases of the blood. Phlebotomy is critical because it allows these lifesaving treatments to take place.
Becoming a phlebotomist is also important to your career if you’re looking to get into the medical field. When you train to be a phlebotomist, you’ll learn essential medical information such as how to read patient vital signs and conduct interviews with them.
It can take as few as seven months to become a phlebotomist, which means that it’s a quick way to kickstart a career.
Becoming A Phlebotomist Or Technician
To become a phlebotomist (or phlebotomy technician), you’ll need to undergo rigorous training. The purpose of this is to ready you for working with patients of all types. You will learn how to work with blood and samples, talk to medical patients, and analyze and assess health problems.
This means that you must take the National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP) certification exam. You can pass with an 85 percent or higher score.
Before taking the exam, you must usually have 65 live blood draws within two years of the exam. However, you can also have 30+ blood draws while being a recent phlebotomy graduate (within the past six months). Regardless, you must understand and consent to the NAPTP code of ethics.
You can also purchase a hard copy or PDF of additional review materials to ensure that you are best prepared.
Get Phlebotomy Certification Today
So, what is phlebotomy? It’s a great way to help patients and kickstart your medical career.
Now that you know all about phlebotomy and how you can prepare to become a technician, it’s time to get started. Contact us with any remaining questions about phlebotomy certification and how you can kick off your career.
