Phlebotomy involves collecting, testing, and analyzing blood. Phlebotomy jobs include technicians who draw blood, clinical laboratory technologists who analyze blood samples, veterinary technicians who draw blood from animals, and biological scientists who specialize in phlebotomy research. Education and training requirements vary for each job.
Phlebotomy is the medical practice of collecting, testing and analyzing blood. Providers may collect blood samples for donations or transfusions or to check for disease. There are several different phlebotomy jobs available to individuals with the proper education and training. Most phlebotomy jobs are performed by technicians, who physically draw blood from patients. Other professionals work as clinical laboratory technologists, veterinary technicians, and scientific researchers.
Medical workers who actually draw blood are known as phlebotomy technicians and phlebotomists. These individuals use sterilized needles to collect blood samples from veins in their arms and store them in vials for later analysis. After a procedure, a phlebotomist will usually clean the puncture area with cotton wool and sterile swabs and place a bandage on the arm to prevent further bleeding.
People can usually get phlebotomy jobs with high school diplomas, although some employers prefer to hire phlebotomists with associated degrees or certificates from professional medical schools. New phlebotomists usually receive formal on-the-job training from experienced nurses and technicians. Many states and countries require phlebotomists to pass practical and written exams to gain professional certification and start working alone. Specialist phlebotomy technicians may work in outpatient care centers, hospitals, public health clinics, nursing homes, or blood donation centers.
Clinical laboratory technicians specializing in phlebotomy analyze blood samples after collection. Specialists use microscopes and other laboratory equipment to check blood cells for abnormal material and perform chemical experiments to detect different diseases. The usual baseline requirement for employment as a technologist is a bachelor’s degree in medical technology, anatomy, or a similar field. New technologists usually receive several months of specialized training in hospital laboratory facilities and may be required to pass state licensing exams before doing independent phlebotomy work.
Pets and farm animals often need blood tests and medical services similar to humans; therefore, veterinary technicians perform many of the same vital tasks in other phlebotomy jobs. Technicians draw blood, analyze the contents of samples and help veterinarians make diagnoses. Most veterinary technicians are required to pass licensing exams and earn associate or bachelor’s degrees from accredited schools to work in animal clinics or hospitals.
Many expert biological scientists specialize in phlebotomy research. Scientists conduct laboratory experiments and research historical data to identify diseases and test new drugs. A practitioner may want to understand how and why certain blood components, such as white blood cells, react to pathogens or medications. Biological scientists in phlebotomy jobs usually hold doctorates in microbiology, chemistry, or medicine and typically work in private laboratories, pharmacology firms, or biotechnology companies.
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