A phlebotomist is a person who has mastered the skills of performing certain jobs and assists doctors and nurses in different settings including hospitals, nursing homes, health care organizations and blood banks. The United States Bureau of Labor classifies the phlebotomist job description under the heading, “Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians”. Phlebotomists may work as medical assistants, pharmacy assistants or dental assistants in any Health care facility.
As a phlebotomist, you will be required to perform various jobs. Your primary job is to draw blood from a patient, which is required for analysis, or transfusions purposes. For this, you would have learnt to master the Venipuncture technique using certain safety standards and procedures. It is important to try to draw blood at the first attempt so as to minimize any discomfort or trauma to the patient.
Apart from drawing blood, a phlebotomist is also responsible for maintaining records and drawing up inventories. You should also be familiar with safety and legal procedures.
Phlebotomist Job Openings
Advanced modern medical technologies have resulted in an increase in the average life span of an individual. This in turn has resulted in mushrooming of hospitals and health care clinics that try to cater to the sick, elderly or disabled. Major health organizations, small health clinics and nursing homes, hospices and health care providers require assistance round the clock. As a phlebotomist you may not have to carry or lift patients but it is necessary to communicate easily with them and have pleasant bedside manners when dealing with them. A certain amount of computer literacy is required so you can maintain records and order medical supplies online. Blood banks, pharmacies, laboratories are always on the lookout for candidates so looking for phlebotomist job openings is not difficult.
Phlebotomist Job Outlook
The phlebotomist job outlook is bright as there is a shortage of medical assistants. Except for California and Louisiana, where phlebotomists are required to have an accredited certificate, most states will allow you to work without passing a certification examination. In-house training is given to the phlebotomist, where you work directly on patients under the supervision of a trained and registered Staff member. If you show signs of promise and a willingness to learn, the organization offers to pay for the phlebotomy training course and signs an agreement for a certain period, where you will work without pay for the organization.
As a phlebotomist you will work closely with the physician or pharmacist, which will help you learn the necessary skills faster. The prospects for continuing in the medical field and rising to the post of Senior Technician are promising for individuals who wish to further their career in this industry.
Phlebotomist Salary
Depending on your experience and whether or not you have passed a certification examination from an accredited college and the experience, the phlebotomist salary can vary from about $9 to $18 per hour. The average salary that a phlebotomist makes is about, $35,000 to $ 40,000, per year. The phlebotomist job description may vary slightly from one organization to another and it is up you to decide which offer is the most acceptable.
