7 Phlebotomy Tips And Tricks

The act of drawing blood is actually quite a simple procedure. Even so, there are patients who get very nervous at the thought of giving blood and even some who claim to faint at the sight of needles. 

While giving blood is a very simple procedure it still helps for a phlebotomy technician to instill confidence in their patients.

It is better for both the patient and the phlebotomy technician if the patient remains calm and the blood draw happens without a hitch. 

The best phlebotomy tips are the ones that can reduce stress on both the technician and the patient, reduce workplace problems and keep any disasters to a minimum. With that in mind, here are a few helpful tips for phlebotomy technicians.

Phlebotomy Tips And Tricks

1. You should always keep one or two sets of clean scrubs in your work locker or in your car. If an arterial blood draw goes wrong and blood sprays all over you, you will need to change right away. Nothing will destroy a patient’s calm and confidence faster than seeing the phlebotomy technician with blood all over them. 

And even the most perfect blood draws can go wrong. Patients can jerk and the needle spurts blood all over, or there are even patients who really do vomit. When dealing with healthcare patients all day long you have to be ready for the unexpected.

2. Make sure you are familiar with any new equipment. If you are not, make sure that you request a demonstration before you try to use in on a patient. If it appears that you are unfamiliar with the needles or any thing else that you use, it will only scare the patient, which will make it much more difficult for you. 

Or even worse, you could possible cause the patient unnecessary pain or injury. The manufacturers are often upgrading and bringing new equipment to the labs for venipuncture in order to make it safer for you and the patient. Be familiar with all of the equipment before you even approach a patient.

3. Prepare yourself mentally every day. Do whatever you have to to be happy and cheerful. Your happy disposition is very important for your job. Healthcare can be stressful and even depressing but your patients are often going through much more stress than you are and you need to be able to offer cheer and comfort. This also helps to inspire confidence.

4. You must learn how to work best with the different personalities that you work with. Doctors and nurses often have their own stress and of course, they also have their own egos and personalities. 

If someone you work with is rude or disrespectful of you, you need to maintain your composure and keep your calm and caring demeanor. It may be more difficult in the moment but it will serve you and your career in the long run.

5. Always explain the procedure to the patient. Even if you have met the patient before and even if you are in a hurry. Every patient has the right to courtesy and respect and they also have the right to not be touched without their permission. 

Just carefully explain the procedure, develop rapport with the patient and your job will be significantly easier.

6. The patient also has a right to privacy. Close the door or the curtain, ask visitors to leave for a moment unless the patient specifically requests that they stay. Do this before you begin explaining the procedure.

7. Take care of yourself. You can’t be good for your patients if you are burning the candle at both ends or if you are tired, cranky or you really need a day off. 

Healthcare workers actually have a high burnout rate so when you are away from work, enjoy yourself, refresh and rejuvenate so you can start anew with a great attitude when you get back to work.

The Role Of Phlebotomy Technicians In The Healthcare Industry

An important diagnostic tool within the medical industry is analyzing and evaluating the blood of a patient. The blood can indicate a myriad of concerns and a thorough analysis of the blood can can be of tremendous help in the diagnosis of disease. 

Phlebotomy is the medical term that is used to describe the act of drawing blood from a vein. The professionals who are trained to collect the blood are known as phlebotomy technicians or phlebotomists.

Phlebotomy technicians have the responsibility of drawing blood samples from patients. A blood draw can consist of just a small tube, in the case of most diagnostic considerations, to as much as a pint at one time, in the case of blood donations. 

Phlebotomy technicians usually work in hospital or clinical settings and they are an important member of the healthcare team. While the most complex blood draws will include a venipuncture needle, it is also the phlebotomist who collects the blood for a finger-prick hemoglobin test. 

The primary role of the phlebotomy technician is to collect the blood for accurate and reliable laboratory testing, using venipuncture or capillary collection.

A phlebotomists may also work with the doctor on such specialized testing as bleeding time tests, therapeutic phlebotomy or specimen preparation. 

They are also often the ones that are responsible for the important function of monitoring blood pressure and pulse during blood transfusions and for blood donations at the blood banks.

A certified professional can find employment opportunities in a variety of settings in including hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices. Occasionally, their services may be required for private home care and they can often find employment in nursing and long-term care homes. 

The job and career outlook is very good as new types of medical tests are continuously being developed and the medical industry is such a necessary component of our society. The career of phlebotomy technician is also expected to grow in the next decade and even further into the future because of the aging of the population.

In order to become a technician it is usually required that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Then it is recommended that you complete a short training course, usually around 3 months of specialized training either as an apprentice on-the-job or through a formal health care program. 

Many schools now offer phlebotomy training programs which instruct on how to locate veins and the proper procedures for blood draws along with how to communicate with patients and put them at ease.

Once the training course has been completed the student may decide to become a certified professional. Most states do not require certification, however, many employers prefer certification and being certified can help your job prospects. 

Certifications are available from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), the American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the American Association of Medical Personnel (AAMP). All of the certifications will require that the student be able to pass a standardized test that measures their knowledge and skills. Venipuncture, record keeping and sample safety will all be included.

Becoming a phlebotomy technician can be an excellent career opportunity, the field is constantly growing and the potential for a decent salary is good.