Phlebotomist Job Description
If you are interested in phlebotomy as a career, it will be good to look carefully through a phlebotomist job description so you get a good idea about what will be expected of you and what you will be doing each day.
Phlebotomist Job Description: Qualifications and Training Necessary
A phlebotomist is a member of a clinical team who specializes in drawing blood from people with needles. A phlebotomist is officially categorized as a medical technician. You have to successfully complete a training course and become certified before you qualify to become a phlebotomist. Training courses vary from a Batchelor degree to a 3 month hands on
training course. There are differing levels of qualification for phlebotomy.
Phlebotomist Job Description: Skills and Abilities You Will Need
You need:
* good communication and people skills. You will need to be able to reassure a nervous patient, explain procedures and
generally make the patient feel he is in good hands
* to be comfortable around taking and dealing with specimens of blood
* to be able to work in a hospital and laboratory environment
* to be accurate, well organized and diligent –people’s lives might depend on the test results. There is no room for error.
Phlebotomist Job Description: Daily Tasks
A phlebotomist job description centers round the actual drawing of blood. That is his primary task.
These will include :
* the actual methods of drawing blood from the vein, from a finger or heel stick or from an artery as required by the Doctor
* safe aseptic techniques are necessary for all the procedures
* high level of hygiene to prevent cross infection or contamination
* safe handling of blood products
* safe disposal of waste materials
* verifying of the correct identity of the patient and correct labeling and packaging of blood for laboratory tests is essential. * accuracy is vital so there are no mix-ups
* the knowledge of the different blood tests and what is necessary for each one,
* the filling in of forms,
* keeping of accurate records,
* being able to work successfully with people in stressful environments
* work with blood donors and be able to set up a blood transfusion and an intravenous drip
Phlebotomists might also have the responsibility of transporting blood tests to the laboratory
Phlebotomist job description: Job Environment
About 50% of phlebotomist jobs are in a hospital environment. Other work environments might include:
* working for a team of Doctors in private practice
* working for a blood transfusion service
* working for a laboratory
You will usually be required to work a 40 hour week. If you work in a hospital environment, you will probably have to be on call, work odd hours and work overtime.
Phlebotomist job description: Job opportunities and Remuneration
There are always a number of openings for phlebotomists available. The higher your starting qualification is, the higher your salary will be. A phlebotomist performs a vital role in the medical team. He is a specialized person in his own right. Job opportunities are expected to rise over the next few years.
Salaries will depend on your qualification. The median salary for phlebotomists in the USA is currently $29,517. This is an average of all phlebotomists. You will not get as much when starting out, but salaries are good.
The work of a phlebotomist is interesting and varied. There are ample opportunities for promotion and jobs are always available. The phlebotomist job description gives you a good idea of what to expect. IPhlebotomycould be an excellent career move.