Have you ever had blood drawn for medical testing? (You most likely have…unless you’re too young) If so, you’ve likely encountered a phlebotomy technician! Phlebotomy technician jobs are an important part of the healthcare industry.
They are skilled healthcare professionals who specialize in drawing blood from patients for various medical purposes.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into the world of phlebotomy technician jobs and explore how a phlebotomist benefits the entire healthcare industry.
Phlebotomy technician jobs. What do they do exactly?
A phlebotomist is a healthcare professional trained to draw blood from patients for medical testing, transfusions, or donations.
They ensure that blood samples are properly collected AND handled.
To become a phlebotomist there are a few different paths one can take.
Some phlebotomists receive on-the-job training, while others complete a phlebotomy technician program.
These programs typically take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete and teach students the skills and knowledge needed to find phlebotomy technician jobs.
In addition to completing a certificate program, some phlebotomists may also choose to become certified through a professional organization like the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Once they have completed their training and any necessary certifications, phlebotomists can work in a variety of settings, including:
- hospitals,
- clinics,
- blood donation centers,
- and laboratories.
In these phlebotomy technician jobs, they may be responsible for:
- collecting blood samples from patients,
- labeling and organizing samples for testing,
- and maintaining accurate records of all blood draws.
Overall, phlebotomists play a critical role in the healthcare industry and are an essential part of any medical team.
But…why exactly?
Phlebotomist benefits the healthcare industry and patients.
Did you know that phlebotomists often go unnoticed for the vital work they do in the healthcare industry?
In a 2018 survey, 53% of phlebotomists reported that they did not feel respected by healthcare professionals.
Part of the problem may be that some people think phlebotomy is a basic or easy skill that anyone can do.
However… this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Phlebotomy requires skilled and knowledgeable professionals (we keep emphasizing this part as it’s very important) to do the job correctly.
While it’s true that anyone could pick up a needle and collect blood…there’s much more to it than that.
Phlebotomists must recognize and prevent various things that can cause injury, mismanagement of patients and inaccurate samples.
Physicians rely on blood samples for almost all the information they use to diagnose and treat patients!!
So if blood is improperly collected (or mishandled for that matter), it can cause test results to be inaccurate.
And if a primary care physician is relying on inaccurate test results…well…poor patient.
Did you know that almost all errors that affect tests occur before analysis (during or immediately after collection)?
That’s why having a phlebotomist who can recognize and prevent these preanalytical errors is invaluable.
For example…
…Hemoconcentration, hemolysis, and site selection are just a few of the many issues that a phlebotomist must consider every time they draw blood.
Replacing phlebotomists with healthcare team members who can “technically” perform blood collection is not the best idea and it’s not ideal.
It can lead to unknown and untold problems.
So the next time you think about phlebotomy technician jobs…appreciate them a bit more.
The bottom line
Ok – what should you remember from all this blog?
- Phlebotomy technician jobs are critical in the healthcare industry
- They are responsible for collecting blood samples that physicians rely on to make accurate diagnoses and provide effective treatments for patients.
- Without phlebotomists, doctors would be unable to obtain the information they need to properly care for their patients.
Unfortunately,…despite the importance of their role, phlebotomists are often underappreciated and undervalued.
That’s why one of the major challenges facing the medical industry today is retaining qualified phlebotomists.
Due to the low recognition and compensation of their work, many phlebotomists may leave the field for other (more lucrative) professions.
To retain phlebotomists, healthcare facilities should offer competitive salaries, benefits, and training opportunities to help them stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies.
Additionally, recognition and appreciation from their colleagues and supervisors can go a long way in boosting their morale and job satisfaction.
One thing is for sure…you must do everything to retain these skilled professionals if you want to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
