What Is a Phlebotomist?
Phlebotomists are trained medical professionals who work alongside doctors and nurses, or inside hospitals or labs, to collect blood samples for analysis. They do not analyze the samples, nor do they administer injections or other medication. However, they are an integral part of any diagnostic team. Some phlebotomists go on to work in other medical specialties, but many continue in phlebotomy because of the flexible hours, decent pay and rewarding interaction with patients.
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Function
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Phlebotomists are medical technicians trained to collect and handle blood samples from patients for lab analysis and diagnostic testing ordered by a doctor or other medical professional.
Types
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Various types of medical professionals are certified in phlebotomy, including many nurses, and most phlebotomists are employed in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, blood banks, home-health agencies, research institutions and commercial laboratories.
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Benefits
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Phlebotomy enables people interested in a medical career to enter the field with minimal training, allowing them to work while they attend nursing or medical school and to get a feel for the medical field before committing years of life to education and advanced training.
Considerations
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Requirements for certification vary by state, but most states require a high school diploma or a GED, followed by at least six weeks of formal training in a phlebotomy course offered by a technical or vocation school.
Potential
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Job opportunities for phlebotomists are expected to increase 10 percent to 20 percent nationwide during the next decade, according to the Mississippi Hospital Association.
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