Are you considering pursuing a career in phlebotomy? A career as a Phlebotomist can be a very rewarding one. However, before you decide to embark on this exciting journey, it is very important to make sure that you have qualities of a phlebotomist and that this career is the right fit for your personality in order to ensure that you will excel. To help you decide if a career as a phlebotomist is right for you we have compiled a list of phlebotomy skills you should have.
Your phlebotomy technician career is waiting for you!
What are some soft skills and qualities phlebotomists have?
Phlebotomists work hands on with patients and closely with other medical professionals, with that comes the need to work well with others and have loads of patience. Working in a medical setting can be stressful even on good days and it can be detrimental if you are not able to handle the pressure of multi-tasking. While technical skills for a phlebotomist are most important it is also imperative that you have additional qualities and skills to work in a medical field. Some of these are:
1. Compassion. A Phlebotomist’s primary duty is drawing blood. Because some patients or clients are afraid of having their blood drawn, it is especially important that Phlebotomists are caring and understanding while performing their duties in order to make the patient feel as comfortable and at ease as possible.
2. Being a team player. It’s important for a phlebotomist to be able to work well with other people in order to deliver the highest standard of care possible to patients. This is because they will often be a part of a larger medical team.
3. Detail oriented. Phlebotomists must draw the correct vials of blood for the tests ordered, track vials of blood, and enter data into a database. Attention to detail is a must; otherwise, specimens may be misplaced or lost, or a patient may be injured. It is also especially important for Phlebotomists to keep their work environment clean and organized in order to avoid confusion and reduce the risk of infection.
4. Hand–eye coordination. Drawing blood is a complicated task that a phlebotomist must do several times a day. They are responsible for drawing blood from many patients, and they must perform their duties successfully on the first attempt, or their patients will experience discomfort or pain.
5. Ability to Multitask. Labs can be a very busy place. Doctors, nurses and patients often rely heavily on the results from blood work in order to determine proper diagnosis and treatment for patients. Because so many people rely on these results, Phlebotomists must have the ability to multitask and oftentimes meet tight deadlines and requests.
Technical phlebotomist skills that you need
We have covered that you need to have a passion for helping others and have certain qualities to have a fulfilling career, but what about technical skills?
These are skills you can learn in a training program that are designed to teach you how to perform your duties as a phlebotomist. Education to become a phlebotomy technician is necessary for entry level employment. From proper equipment handling, sanitary procedures and drawing of blood, learning these skills in a quality training program is key to feeling confident when entering the workforce.
What are some technical phlebotomy skills you might learn in a program?
- Specimen handling and processing
- Anatomy
- Procedures for venipuncture and capillary collections
- Documentation
Just to name a few!
Learning important skills in Training Directs phlebotomy program
The Phlebotomy Technician program at Training Direct is geared towards preparing students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain an entry-level position as a Phlebotomist in a healthcare facility.
Training Direct’s Phlebotomy Technician Training consists of:
- 100 clock hours (given in classroom and laboratory settings)
- Topics covered include history of phlebotomy, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and infection control
- Students must perform five live unaided successful venipunctures and ten unaided successful capillary collection procedures
- The successful completion of these procedures can be applied towards the eligibility requirements for certifications
Training Direct’s Phlebotomy Technician program is currently offered at our Bridgeport, CT school and our Danbury, CT school. Find out more about our program today and learn how you can get started.
