Phlebotomy is the technical term for taking your blood in a medical setting. In most cases, the person who takes your blood is called a phlebotomist, although some nurses and a few doctors will take your blood at various points. Usually the training for this position is short, and culminates in a certificate, not a degree.
Phlebotomists may work in a laboratory where drawing and analyzing blood is their only job, or they may be certified nursing aides or other health care professionals. Some people start their careers as one and then choose to add on the other skill in order to enhance their resume, or add variety to their jobs.
Phlebotomists who work out of a lab generally work under the authority of a laboratory professional who analyzes the blood samples. This may or may not be a doctor. Blood can tell a person a lot about the patient's health, as it contains many important components that change predictably when certain things are going on.
Often, patients are not that keen on having their blood drawn. They may be afraid of needles, ill, in pain, or possibly all of the above. Children may additionally add 'squirmy' to that list. A good phlebotomist has the appropriate skills to get the job done, as well as reassure the patient and answer any questions.
Training is either a short course in the process of blood drawing, or a longer course which can culminate in a degree in something. The skill is included as part of the curriculum in programs that prepare nurses' aides, medical technicians, and other professionals. As a short course, it typically takes 4 to 8 months to complete, and degrees are usually 2-year associate's degrees.
There is currently a shortage of professionals in the medical laboratory sciences, and training in phlebotomy should be a reasonably good way to make a living. It is a reasonably low-wage profession, but employment tends to be relatively easy to find and widely available.
Phlebotomists may work in a laboratory where drawing and analyzing blood is their only job, or they may be certified nursing aides or other health care professionals. Some people start their careers as one and then choose to add on the other skill in order to enhance their resume, or add variety to their jobs.
Phlebotomists who work out of a lab generally work under the authority of a laboratory professional who analyzes the blood samples. This may or may not be a doctor. Blood can tell a person a lot about the patient's health, as it contains many important components that change predictably when certain things are going on.
Often, patients are not that keen on having their blood drawn. They may be afraid of needles, ill, in pain, or possibly all of the above. Children may additionally add 'squirmy' to that list. A good phlebotomist has the appropriate skills to get the job done, as well as reassure the patient and answer any questions.
Training is either a short course in the process of blood drawing, or a longer course which can culminate in a degree in something. The skill is included as part of the curriculum in programs that prepare nurses' aides, medical technicians, and other professionals. As a short course, it typically takes 4 to 8 months to complete, and degrees are usually 2-year associate's degrees.
There is currently a shortage of professionals in the medical laboratory sciences, and training in phlebotomy should be a reasonably good way to make a living. It is a reasonably low-wage profession, but employment tends to be relatively easy to find and widely available.
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