Though you may never have heard the term phlebotomist, you have likely utilized one's services many times in the course of your life, even if you did not realize it at the time. Phlebotomy is the profession of drawing blood so that it may be stored for future use or tested for health concerns. A phlebotomy career requires training but provides many lucrative benefits.
WHAT DOES A PHLEBOTOMIST DO?
The medical profession is one of the most short-staffed industries to be found. Each year, hospitals and offices have to make due with less doctors and nurses than they would like. These doctors and nurses may not have the time to perform routine tasks, and thus delegate them to technicians. A phlebotomist is one of these technicians, an expert at drawing blood who will ensure that a patient is ready and willing to have blood taken, then keep the blood fresh so that it may be transferred to another location (or another persons' arteries). Needless to say, a phlebotomy career necessitates not being squeamish around blood. Why should you become a phlebotomist? There are five major factors that make it a rewarding career:
1) PHLEBOTOMY IS ALWAYS IN DEMAND
No matter what part of the country you live in, there are always persons needing intensive medical care. Blood drawing is one of the most basic tenants of the medical profession, and nearly any patient who comes into a hospital for a diagnosis will have their blood drawn and tested in order to determine their problem. Whether you want to work in a hospital with other phlebotomists or you would rather treat patients in a smaller clinic, there is no difficulty finding employment upon graduation.
2) CERTIFICATION IS DONE QUICKLY
A phlebotomist is not a nurse or a doctor and does not need to spend four or five years in training to learn how to cure diseases or prepare patients for surgery. Since their job is quite specialized and routine, there are a bare minimum of classes needed to get certification. Courses are taught from community colleges, health care facilities, or vocational schools. Since you do not need a bachelor's degree, the cost is fairly minimal. About 150 to 200 classroom hours are required, which can be done in less than a year.
3) PHLEBOTOMY OFFERS CHANCES AT ADVANCEMENT
If you are interested in other, more rigorous medical careers, a phlebotomy position is an excellent way to get started. You can understand the dynamics of medicine, working with patients, interacting with doctors, and hospital routines. If you would like to go back to school, some employers may cover the cost if you have worked long enough. This career helps you learn about professionalism, computer training, and record keeping.
4) THE PAY IS GOOD
With a median starting salary of thirty thousand dollars, this is one of the better-paying healthcare technician positions. What's more, nearly any phlebotomist has the opportunity to work more hours and earn overtime pay. Any hospital will always look to hire persons willing to work night shift.
5) FLEXIBILITY
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most career phlebotomist reported their main preference for seeking their job was flexibility. They had the opportunity to make their own schedule and choose the location and duration of their work.
WHAT DO I NEED FOR A PHLEBOTOMY CAREER?
To register for these courses it is necessary to have a high school degree or the equivalent. Many courses have tuition payment plans or scholarships, easing the burden of student debt. Given the fast-track to employment, however, phlebotomy offers the chance to quickly pay off any loans.
Donna Yates is a creator of Phlebotomy Training Book, a website which helps people find top phlebotomy schools across the country.