The students in their phlebotomy classes basically learn how to perform venipuncture properly in a laboratory setting. They will also learn basic medical terminology and certain skills necessary to perform Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). These certificate programs educate students regarding effective communication in a medical setting, as phlebotomists are part of the medical team. Of course, the students at the end of the phlebotomy classes gain an understanding of the role a phlebotomist should play in a medical team and how to safely perform their duties as well.

Enrolling in phlebotomy classes or training programs will only require a high school diploma or equivalent to admit in classes. However, keep in mind that some schools may need additional requirements like passing general education examinations, medical certificate, passing a criminal background check, and proof of health insurance coverage. In addition to this, these additional requirements are also required when applying for the certification examination in phlebotomy.

Phlebotomy Training Program

The employment outlook for phlebotomists looks good during this decade. So, if you want to jumpstart your future career in medicine, becoming a phlebotomist is a good option. Due to the increasing number of job opportunities, the salary that phlebotomists receive today can provide financial security and stability. Plus, despite economic recession, the demand for these specialized medical practitioners will still increase and the job vacancies are widespread throughout the country. You can even pride yourself as a phlebotomist since their job is important in the medical care industry.

Phlebotomists are responsible for performing venipuncture on patients requiring certification and special training. You can look for phlebotomist schools to avail this training program like in medical facilities, community colleges, universities, hospitals, and schools with online programs. As you can see, you have a wide variety of choices, but only choose phlebotomy classes approved by the state.

Many vocational colleges and schools with online phlebotomy classes offer flexibility for people with busy life or working full-time and plan to have a career change.  Some schools that offer their training program on night classes are said to be an excellent way to get training without getting tangled with your work schedule. Choosing an online phlebotomy training program will require you to visit a medical laboratory for a week to receive first hand training experience apart from taking phlebotomy classes online. If you are financially-challenged, you can ask for the scholarships or grant, which the school might be offering to aid financial deficiencies. The training program in phlebotomy usually takes between two to four months. However, the intensive training and lectures may require you to commit full-time.  Besides, if you really want to fast-track your phlebotomy classes, then committing as a full-time student can help your cause.

An Overview on Phlebotomy Classes

The course work in a phlebotomy training program is focused on phlebotomy and some general education subjects. The phlebotomy classes are divided into two, one half is allotted for classroom-based lectures and the other half will be spent on hands-on phlebotomy practicum. This should be the case for every phlebotomy training program in order for you to be eligible in taking the certification examination at the end of the training. The programs may vary from school-to-school, where some schools opt to combine all necessary topics into one classroom course and one laboratory course. And while for other schools, they opt to spread the course work out over several laboratory and classroom courses. Examples of the most common topics covered in a phlebotomy certificate program include infection control, medical ethics, medical terminology, blood collection techniques, safety in a medical setting, healthcare communication, medical legal issues, and laboratory specimen preparation.

During phlebotomy classes, you can expect to gain knowledge and skills necessary to properly draw blood and other specimens from the patients. You can also learn how you are supposed to communicate with your medical team and to appropriately deal with patients. As a phlebotomist, you deal with different people with unique cases so it is important to know how to properly approach them. For instance, a child might panic if you say the word “shot” before performing venipuncture on him. Being mindful on your words is an important requirement based on the nature of the job.

Patient safety is the priority in every medical setting, so you also have to abide by the rules and regulations of your facility. Phlebotomy classes teach everything that a person needs to equip himself in order to become a successful phlebotomist. For instance, needle sticks happen and phlebotomy classes can educate you on what to do in such a case.

Included in the list below are the courses covered in a phlebotomy training program:

• Theory of Phlebotomy
• Medical terminology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Phlebotomy practicum course

The theory of phlebotomy course deals with the teaching of common phlebotomy practices for adults and children. The students will learn how to safely draw blood using venipuncture and capillary puncture methods and techniques designed for adults and children. This course will also teach how to perform finger sticks or heel sticks for infants and children with a very young age. In addition to this, non-blood sample collection practices are included in the curriculum.

In this course, phlebotomists can also learn infection control. The instructors will teach how to prepare the blood collection site, the appropriate collection tools, how to handle the samples when transporting it, and the processes and management of collected samples. These activities are also guided with medical ethics, which the students should demonstrate in work.

The medical terminology course is designed to equip students with effective communication between physicians and phlebotomists. In this way, they can properly relate with the other members of the medical team regarding specimen requests, lessen the risk of malpractice, and to not create any confusion. During medical terminology classes, you will learn about the overview of common prefixes, suffixes, and root words most commonly used in the medical field. You will also study spelling and proper pronunciation for each word to be discussed in class.

Another part of phlebotomy classes is the anatomy and physiology course. The students acquire a broad range of topics about human anatomy, which is from the different body parts, body systems, up to the principles on how they work. As a phlebotomist, it is important to pay attention on the cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, circulatory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. Knowing these parts well enough can make your job easier and safely. The anatomy course may also cover how to locate and assess sites in the body that is subject to venipuncture. This course has to be completed before enrolling in the clinical part of the program.

The phlebotomy practicum course serves as the other component that comprises a phlebotomy training program. In this course, the students practice the blood and specimen collection learned during their theory of phlebotomy classes. Of course, blood sampling and labeling duties require excellent handling skills which the students should have learned during their classes. The students perform these phlebotomy duties on adult and pediatric stimulation arms and other students prior to drawing blood samples under direct supervision of a certified phlebotomist in certain clinical settings. The areas for practicum usually take place in the campus, off-site laboratory facilities, or in a medical setting. It is like a finale course required after you have taken all the necessary phlebotomy classes.

Another career to pursue in Phlebotomy: Cardio-Phlebotomy Technician

The field of medicine continues to expand by branching out to various specializations, including phlebotomy. In the field of phlebotomy, some schools started offering a new and rewarding career called cardio-phlebotomy technician. The specialists in this field are trained to work along with cardiologists performing electrocardiograms, heart catheterization, and rhythm strips. The program basically consists of a six-week intensive study on the following:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Heart rhythm interpretation
• Advanced phlebotomy procedures
• Electrocardiograms
• Knowledge on tubes
• Intravenous insertions on the patients
• Line flushing techniques
• CPR

The cardio-phlebotomy classes are scheduled on specific days for beginners and advanced students. Once the program is completed, the students are given the opportunity to complete a two 40-hour internships with local laboratories and other settings where they can practice cardio-phlebotomy. They will definitely get first hand experience necessary to become a certified cardio-phlebotomist in the near future.