Phlebotomy is the process of drawing and collecting blood from a human vein for medical purposes. The actual process is called venipuncture. Venipuncture is performed by specialized healthcare workers called phlebotomy technicians.
Phlebotomy technicians have been trained in this specialized procedure along with being educated in human anatomy and physiology, blood storage and collection procedures and safety protocol and procedures.
Before starting to draw blood the phlebotomist must have all of the necessary equipment and tools for the venipuncture lined up. You need to be completely prepared because after you start drawing the blood you will not be able to leave the patient except for a few minutes, depending, of course, on how much blood is being drawn.
A phlebotomist requires needles, syringes and collecting tubes. The collecting tubes are specialized vacuum tubes or bags that are designed to collect a certain amount of blood.
If you are drawing blood for medical test, it is usually a small tube. If you are collecting for blood donation it is a larger bag.
Some of the collection tubes for medical testing may contain additives to assist with the testing. The tubes are generally identifiable by the color of the rubber stopper on top.
The phlebotomist will also need tourniquets to identify the vein, antiseptic and gauze or cotton balls and tape to place over the vein after the blood draw. A specialized puncture-proof container with “bio-hazardous” markings on it is also required for the safe disposal of used needles.
Safety measures are of the utmost importance for phlebotomists. The phlebotomist must begin by washing their hands with a specialized antibacterial soap before every procedure.
The phlebotomist must also wear protective vinyl or latex gloves for every venipuncture and these gloves must be replaced with every procedure. A lab coat or gown must also be worn during the blood collection.
Venipuncture Procedure
After the venipuncture is completed all of the equipment used must be disposed of properly in accordance with bio-hazardous waste disposal policies.
Any potentially contaminated surfaces must be wiped down with a antibacterial bleach solution. Every surface must be completely cleaned every day with a bleach solution.
The phlebotomist first need to identify the patient and be sure that all of the accompanying information is correct. At this time, he or she should also explain the procedure and try to minimize any anxiety or discomfort that the patient might be feeling.
The patient will need to be in a proper position for venipuncture, usually with the arm extended with a closed fist. The phlebotomist will then select the appropriate vein for the blood collection.
The tourniquet is then placed three to four inches above the vein, which makes the vein bulge out with blood, making it easier for the venipuncture. The vein site is then cleaned with an alcohol pad and allowed to dry before the puncture of the needle.
The actual procedure of the venipuncture begins with the appropriate needle connected to the collection tube or bag. The phlebotomist will then insert the needle into the vein and the vacuum tube is then attached to the needle and the blood begins to flow. The tourniquet is then removed and the patient can relax their hand.
When the blood collection is complete, the needle is removed and a gauze pad is applied with slight pressure to the puncture site. This helps to halt the bleeding more quickly.
All needles and other tools should then be disposed of and all tubes or bags of blood should be immediately marked with the patient labels, the date and the time.
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Phlebotomy Courses and Certification
Graduating from an accredited phlebotomy training program is advantageous to a new phlebotomist who is looking for employment.
The majority of employers will want to see that you have completed this important training and that you have passed the tests for phlebotomy certification. A phlebotomy training program with prepare you for all of the different aspects of a job working as a phlebotomy technician, from phlebotomy technique to the more mundane administrative activities that go along with the job.
Graduates of accredited phlebotomy training programs receive a well-rounded education that can prepare them to pass the tests necessary for certification.
You may find phlebotomy training courses available through various health facilities, trade or vocational schools and community colleges.
The curriculum may vary from one school to the next but the basic education should remain the same. Typically a program will last from six to eight months with both classroom and clinical instruction. It is generally 150 to 230 instructional hours.
It is easy to find an accredited phlebotomy program. Many of the accrediting agencies are affiliated with schools and organizations that offer programs.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) has a database of 59 schools throughout the United States along with program and contact information.
Phlebotomy programs can be part-time or full-time. In a part-time program a student may attend classes or clinics for two days a week for two semesters. A full time program may run as often as 5 days a week for one semester.
There will be classes on medical terminology, healthcare issues and phlebotomy instructions. There is also a phlebotomy practicum where you work with real patients under the instruction of a practicing phlebotomist.
Throughout the training program, phlebotomists will learn about the different systems in the body and how they work. These systems include the circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, muscular and skeletal systems. You will learn about both anatomy and physiology.
Phlebotomy Certification
Phlebotomy students also learn about blood and cell composition. A clear understanding of how blood and cells re affects by different diseases and infections is helpful for a practicing phlebotomist.
However, thorough explanations of potential problems with patients should always be left up to the Doctor who ordered the tests. The phlebotomist should not discuss detailed medical conditions with patients.
Most importantly, a phlebotomy student will learn different blood sampling procedures. The most commonly used procedure is called a venipuncture but there are also other techniques.
Techniques also vary with the patient, with different techniques being used for newborns, children and the elderly and some adults depending upon their medical condition.
Laboratory safety is also a crucial concern for phlebotomists so they can keep themselves and their patients safe. A clear understanding of proper bio-hazardous waste is critical. Also the phlebotomist must know how to handle lab equipment and the clean up after the blood drawing procedure.
Most phlebotomy programs offer CPR and first aid certification. This is important because many patients may have preexisting conditions that may cause a problem when blood is drawn. Even a healthy person can faint or blackout when blood is drawn, especially if they have not eaten any food for awhile. The phlebotomist must be prepared for any eventuality.
Other topics in phlebotomy courses may include professional ethics and behavior, quality control, legal issues and computer training. Good record keeping is also an important skill for a practicing phlebotomist.
If you happen to mistakenly label a blood draw it could cause some serious problems with mixed up specimens and test results.
When you select a phlebotomy program it is wise to find one that has accreditation. Choosing an accredited program will automatically qualify you to take a certification test upon completion of your program.
You may also apply for Federal financial aid programs that can help you with the cost of tuition. An accredited program will most likely have job information available and may even be able to help you find employment. You may also want to consider the length of the program, most programs vary from one semester to one year in length.
