Phlebotomy Tech Job Description
A phlebotomy tech, also known as a phlebotomist, is a medical professional responsible for drawing blood from patients. The blood samples they collect are studied to diagnose and treat diseases, and they are essential for creating people's blood history as part of overall medical records or health profiles.
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Duties
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Phlebotomy techs first explain the blood drawing procedure to patients. They can draw blood with a venipuncture, which involves accessing the patient's veins with a needle; or a fingerstick, which collects a smaller quantity of blood. In some cases, they may also collect urine or fecal samples. Phlebotomy techs send the blood samples to the laboratory, where clinical laboratory techs examine and analyze them.
Workplace
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Phlebotomy techs work in any place where blood is drawn and analyzed. This includes hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories and blood donation facilities. The work schedule of phlebotomy usually involves 40-plus hours composed of evening, weekend and holiday shifts, especially in facilities that demand around-the-clock operation.
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Education and Certification
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Phlebotomy techs usually need a certificate or diploma in phlebotomy, which they can obtain within a year at a technical school or community college. Although certification after graduation is voluntary, employers prefer such an achievement because it denotes adherence to a certain set of standards in the field. Professional associations such as the American Society for Phlebotomy Technicians offer exams that result in successful takers becoming Certified Phlebotomy Technicians, or CPTs.
Salary and Job Outlook
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According to Salary.com, phlebotomy techs make a median salary of $29,000 as of July 2010. The BLS estimates that their employment--as part of the group of clinical laboratory techs--will grow by 14 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Advantages
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Being a phlebotomy tech is ideal for anyone who wishes to conduct laboratory work, have direct contact with patients, or gain experience in the health care industry as a prelude to more advanced careers. Moreover, considering that it only takes up to a year for formal training, people can enter the field rather quickly.
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