Have you always wanted to work in healthcare but are not sure which path to take? If the sight of needles or blood doesn’t faze you, consider pursuing a career as a phlebotomy technician. A phlebotomy technician is a medical professional who is trained to draw quality blood samples from patients and prepares those specimens for medical testing. Phlebotomy technicians often work at hospitals, doctors’ offices, labs, blood donation centers, and clinics with patients who may be nervous or anxious around needles. Florida National University (FNU) offers a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate program at our Training Center in Hialeah, Florida. Are you interested in a growing field working in the medical laboratory and want to know how to become a phlebotomy technician and what you can do to pursue this career?
Job Duties of a Phlebotomy Technician
Phlebotomy technicians must work well under pressure, be very precise, and communicate effectively. Since they work directly with patients, they must relay any important information gained during interactions with nurses, laboratory professionals, and doctors. The technician has a strict code of ethics which must be followed in collecting blood and providing it to the laboratory for analysis. The protocol of blood collection, handling, storage, and analysis of a sample varies between laboratories, but the basic procedure remains the same across the board.
Phlebotomy technician job duties generally include:
- Cleaning and sterilizing equipment
- Explaining the procedure to the patient
- Taking blood pressure, pulse and respiration readings
- Drawing blood and applying bandages or pressure after the blood is drawn
- Preparing reagents and stains
- Sending blood, urine or fecal samples to the lab for testing
- Updating patient records
Job Outlook
Working as a phlebotomy technician can be extremely rewarding and it’s one of the fastest-growing careers in the healthcare industry. The BLS states the employment of phlebotomy technicians is projected to grow 23% from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Almost all employers look for phlebotomy technicians who have earned professional certification. The median annual pay for technicians is $35,510 or $17.07 per hour. Phlebotomists often stand for long periods and must be careful when handling blood, needles, and other medical supplies.
Become a Phlebotomy Technician
Many people have decided to pursue this exciting career in hopes of bettering their life. There are many ways on how to become a phlebotomy technician and most of them involve a certification. This certification will assure employers you know what you are doing before going into the job. The first step in becoming a phlebotomy technician is to get enrolled in a Phlebotomy Technician program. Florida National University offers a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate program. Once you have completed your phlebotomy technician program, you can start looking for your first job. FNU’s Job Placement Department makes every effort possible for graduates to transition from exceptional university education to a lifetime career. Contact Florida National University at 305-821-3333 or contact us online for more information on our Phlebotomy Technician Certificate program at our Training Center in Hialeah, Florida.
