A mobile phlebotomist is one who is trained in the science and practice of blood collection, but often travels between locations, including to a patients place of residence for blood draw procedures.
Mobile phlebotomists receive the same training and certification as a phlebotomist who is located in one facility and are required to follow the same health and safety procedures and protocols. Traveling phlebotomists also receive additional training to address issues that are not found in a clinical environment.
Phlebotomists often travel with blood drives to collect donations or may go to a facility to collect blood samples because of a breach in the facilities health and safety procedures.
Mobile phlebotomists often work for insurance companies who require medical screening before an insurance policy is issued. Phlebotomists who travel bring this type of health care service to an individual or group who may not be able to access the service on their own.
Being a phlebotomist on the go has challenges not seen in a clinical setting. The setting for blood draw might not be a safe and sterile environment and the phlebotomist will have to take the necessary steps to make the procedure as safe as possible.
This is where a phlebotomist who is creative and quick thinking will have the definite advantage over one who is used to a steady, clinical routine that never varies.
There are different types of blood draw equipment and the phlebotomist will have to know how to use that equipment supplied at the blood draw event. The location for the blood draw may be limited in space and have limited supplies.
A mobile phlebotomist will often travel with an assistant who is also trained in blood sample collection. The assistant will prepare the equipment and the patient for the blood draw routine and then document each patient and label all blood samples.
The assistant will sometimes screen blood donation candidates and take the necessary vital signs. If additional supplies are needed, it will be the assistant’s job to fetch them. The assistant will also be able to step in and perform blood draws in the event the phlebotomist is overwhelmed with patients.
Below Is A List Of Mobile Phlebotomy Services…
It is going to be just about impossible to list every mobile phlebotomy services, so we have come up with a small list of a number of the most significant providers in metropolitan areas.
1. Staci’s Phlebotomy Service – Seattle area. Their website is http://stacisphlebotomyservice.com/
2. ColMed – in almost every states. Their website is https://www.colmedservices.com/athome.htm
3.Bayside Mobile Medical Service – San Francisco Bay area. Their website is http://www.baysidephlebotomy.com/
4. Aim to Please Phlebotomy – Portland and Vancouver area. Their website is http://www.aimtopleasephlebotomy.com
5. Arizona United Phlebotomy – ofcourse the state of Arizona. Their website is http://www.unitedphlebotomyarizona.com/
6. Independent Phlebotomy Provider Group – Southern California area. Their website is http://www.ippg.biz/
7. Tender Touch – also the Southern California area. Their website is http://www.tendertouchmobile_demo.websiteworks.com/
A mobile phlebotomist may be employed by a health care facility, Doctor or other company providing blood draw procedures or may be employed as an independent contractor. Being an independent phlebotomist has challenges and responsibilities all their own.
An independent phlebotomist will be able to create their own schedule and work when they want and travel as much as desired. The independent phlebotomist may also be required to provide the necessary equipment and sample kits in addition to performing the blood draw procedures.
The independent mobile phlebotomist may have to be contracted with testing laboratories for testing purposes. The labs will have to have the necessary capacity to test the blood samples, if necessary, in a timely manner.
The phlebotomist will also need a courier, delivery service or other distribution method to deliver blood samples to the destination, whether it is a storage facility or testing lab.
Recommended Phlebotomy Study Guides
A good phlebotomy technician will need to have a solid phlebotomy education background. It is much easier to become a practicing phlebotomy technician by completing an accredited training program and getting the appropriate certification.
A good phlebotomy training program will include exams to test and make sure that you have the knowledge that is recommended. Certification can be achieved by completing a standardized phlebotomy exam.
Study guides on the subject of phlebotomy can help potential phlebotomy technicians to prepare for the exams. If you are enrolled in a training program you should consult your instructor about recommended reading lists and study guides.
Your best chance at employment in a career in phlebotomy is by preparing and passing a national certification exam. While many states do not require this certification, with the exception of California and Louisiana, many employers do require this certification.
Most phlebotomy technicians can benefit from the various phlebotomy study guides that are available. Each individual certifying agency will have their own recommended materials and study guides.
If you are taking the exam through the American Certifying Agency (ACA), the examination study guide and the content outline will be mailed to you.
If your certification testing is from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) you will receive a review book, a practice test and various packages with study guides and information.
You should be able to get all of this online along with suggested reading lists. You can also get access to online practice tests for 90 days.
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) also offer certification. They will provide you with a downloadable candidate handbook, the exam outline, along with a suggested reading list. You may also purchase a practice test for small fee.
Guides
It is important to study for your certification exam and additional study guides may help you to retain the information. You may also want to review other study guides to help you.
One highly recommended study guide for phlebotomy technicians is “The Phlebotomy Exam Review (3rd edition)” by Ruth E. McCall and Cathee M. Tankersley. This study guide is comprehensive enough that it is recommended for ten national exams, including the ACA, the NCCT and the ASCP.
The Phlebotomy Exam Review (3rd edition) by Ruth E. McCall and Cathee M. Tankersley follows the accreditation guidelines from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) in addition to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).
It is contains a review of over 800 potential multiple choice questions, including the answers and the explanations.
Another study tool that you may find helpful is flashcards. Flashcards can help you to practice accessing the information quickly and they can be a fun way to enhance learning.
You can find flashcards at many different phlebotomy websites and you can usually purchase them in either a hard copy form or a download so that you can print them yourself or just use them on your computer.
There are many resources available to you if you are interested in phlebotomy. You can often get them in either a hard copy form or from an online source where you can download.
If you are just starting out and have no previous background you may want to look at the textbook “Phlebotomy Simplified” by Kathlenn Becan-McBride and Diana Garza.
This book gives a full background and explanation of phlebotomy plus it includes case studies, end of the chapter review questions and an accompanying CD so that you can study by listening also.
Books
If you are well into your career and you are a serious phlebotomist you may want a copy of “Procedures for the Collection of Diagnostic Blood Specimens (6th edition)” and a copy of “Devices for the Collection of Diagnostic Capillary Blood Specimens (6th edition)”.
Both of these valuable texts are produced by the CLSI and they are the basis for many written procedures throughout the industry. Another text, “Applied Phlebotomy” by Dennis J. Ernst is in line with the standards of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).
This book contains very useful information about phlebotomy and blood collection and it is a great primer for anyone who is interested in becoming a phlebotomy technician.
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