Phlebotomy is a field of medicine that involves drawing of blood to be used for sampling or transfusion. In fact, it is a medical skill that is particularly used by a lot of health care service providers, especially physicians, paramedics and medical assistants. A phlebotomy certification is not always mandatory. In the US, only 2 states require them. It is, however, a huge advantage to have a certification as almost all clinics and hospitals everywhere opt for professional Plebotomists.
Phlebotomy was a primeval blood-letting practice till the mid 19th century. In the past, blood was believed to be one of the main causes of illnesses. As syringes were not a known tool for drawing blood, leeches and barbers were utilized to make a patient bleed for the treatment of the blood related illness. The red and white barber poles are a prehistoric symbol of the combination of red for drawing of blood and white for the tourniquet that keeps the blood from flowing out of control.
Nowadays, it is essential that phlebotomy be conducted in the presence of research doctor, medical doctor or any certified medical practitioner. A person who has not had any phlebotomy training will not be allowed to handle this procedure. Phlebotomists are the medical professionals who have had this training – they are the pepople who have received a certificate after they have completed a certain training program. There are sets of protocols that Phlebotomists need to follow in order to ensure that patients are safe.
Any medical practitioners and students who are planning to undergo a phlebotomy training should enrol in phlebotomy classes and then pass the Phlebotomy Certification Exam to receive a formal certification. A Phlebotomy student will typically need to take up the Phlebotomy classes from 2 to 4 months. Students also need to take a year of study in anatomy, patients’ interaction, legal aspects of blood collection, standard precautionary procedures, and blood collection methods.
A Phlebotomist is knowledgeable at:
- blood collection for sampling.
- inserting needles in the veins of the patient quickly and accurately.
- adhering safety standards.
- proper interaction with patients.
- dealing with situations under pressure.
- maintaining accurate records and follow demanding procedures for the proper care of samples.
Phlebotomists are employed in hospices, hospitals, clinics, blood banks and laboratories, working alongside doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and other medical professionals needing assistance from certified Phlebotomists.
