When you are a phlebotomist, you play an important role in the lives of patients. You are responsible for drawing blood that can be used in lab tests. A doctor depends upon you for accurate tests. Your work allows doctors to properly diagnose the illness of a patient. A doctor may also depend upon your work in order to think of the right prescription drug for a patient. When you are a phlebotomist, you hold a tremendous amount of responsibility. It is important for you to be thorough and diligent in the work that you do. You should also have the courage to carry out the process of drawing blood. It is important for you to have an appearance of strength for patients who may faint at the sight of blood. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a phlebotomist?” When you want to become a phlebotomist, it is important for you to receive the proper education.
What’s it like to be a phlebotomist?
When you are a phlebotomist, you have the luxury of working part-time or full-time. Most phlebotomists decide to work on a part-time basis. If you work in the emergency room of a hospital, then you may work odd hours or long hours. You may also work more than 40 hours a week if you work in an emergency room. Your daily activities usually involve drawing blood from patients. You will also need to send the blood of patients to the appropriate labs. It is important for you to be very careful in completing the blood work of patients. You are the sole one who is responsible for conducting accurate tests of patients.
Education Requirements
To become a phlebotomist, you should complete an associate’s degree program at the local community college. You may also be able to complete a training program that does not take two years. You may be able to find a course that will allow you to become a certified phlebotomist within only a semester. If you want to enter the medical profession as quickly as possible, then it is a wise decision to become a phlebotomist. This will give you the opportunity to begin earning a salary in the medical profession in the shortest amount of time possible.
Salary & How to Get a Job
According to the BLS, the starting salary of a phlebotomist is about $44,000 a year. If you want to become a phlebotomist, it is important to apply for open positions at private medical offices and hospitals. If you are willing to have an open schedule, then you will likely be hired soon. The BLS reports that there is going to be a 30 percent increase in the demand for qualified phlebotomists in the future. You can also apply for open positions in science labs if you want to become a phlebotomist. You may be able to earn a greater salary by working for a company in the beginning years of your career.
References
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_2058744_become-phlebotomist.html
2. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm