Phlebotomy: What Exactly Is It And How To Pursue A Career In It

Phlebotomy is the process of drawing blood from a person using a medical needle. The concept of usind bloodletting to treat some ailments started around 2,000 years ago in Greece, Egypt and Mesopotamia. During the Middle Ages, this process of bloodletting for treatment was done by barbers and surgeons by cutting into a patient's vein. The usual amount of blood taken those times was one to four pints or just before the patient faints. In the later part of the 19th century, bloodletting of such kind was considered a malpractice. At present, the scope of phlebotomy became restricted to just the analysis of blood, blood transfusion and the use of bloodletting for illnesses including hemochromatosis and polycythemia. Also, an individual can only perform such procedure if he or she has a phlebotomy certification .

A phlebotomist is mainly responsible for drawing blood from a patient. Despite the fact that this procedure can actually be done by doctors, it is still a lot better to leave it to the hands of trained phlebotomists. This need is the reason why phlebotomy classes are available as a course of study.

To be qualified to work in healthcare facilities as a phlebotomist, an individual should have a phlebotomy certification. The job may also entail a lot of travelling especially those engaged in mobile blood services and bloodletting programs. The other qualities that a person needs to have aside from taking phlebotomy training are good communication skills. It should be understood that a lot of people are afraid of blood, let alone being pricked by a needle. And so, it is a must that a phlebotomist make these patients calm during the process.

In order to be a certified phlebotomist, you would have to have a high school diploma and you should also take the phlebotomy training for 1 to 2 months. Community colleges, vocational schools and some hospitals offer the required training. You also have a choice to get a better qualification by taking a state licensure exam, which will enable you to have a certificate. In general, many states in the US do not require practitioners to have licences but there are some that do.

With the continuous growth of the healthcare industry, it makes a lot of sense to take a medical profession to build a career on. The fact that it is so hard to find a stable job these days is enough reason for you to consider becoming a certified phlebotomist to have better career opportunities and a better future.