As phlebotomy deals with the study of drawing blood from any living human being or an animal, a special training is required for the phlebotomists to do this job with perfection. The main target of the phlebotomists is to collect blood samples by venipuncturing that particular organ or by the use of a fingerstick.
A phlebotomist perfect in his job is able to collect blood samples from the brachial artery in the antecubital area or any other thinnest possible artery of the wrist.
Learn the Minute Details of Phlebotomy
So, in order to become a phlebotomist, a person needs to undergo a special training which trains the individual about all the minute details of phlebotomy. As the demand for trained and certified phlebotomy professionals increased to a great extent in the last few years, the number of schools enrolling individuals for phlebotomy training and certification programs also saw a steep rise. Due to high number of schools offering this program, the training costs are very low as compared to the wide variety of choice available in the market.
Though the class timings and the length of the lessons may vary in different schools but, the subject matter remains the same as all renowned training programs follow the same pattern because of the standardized certification needs.
Two Parts- Class Training and Practical Training
Keeping in view the course material, the whole process of phlebotomy training (phlebotomy classes) can be divided into two parts. The first part consists of the class training and the second part includes the practice sessions which take place in a clinical setting.
Most of the phlebotomy training schools entertain applications for the enrollment throughout the year however, all follow the deadlines and do not welcome the late applicants. This is done because the certification has set rules for all the students to go through the hands on experience sessions.
Generally, the training starts with the introduction of phlebotomy including the ethical expectations from the phlebotomists. It also teaches the trainees about the medical privacy of the patients and the quality control methods required during the process. The introduction also gives a brief idea of the protocols used for specimen collection and sampling.
The second session of the program mainly talks about the human anatomy and introduces the trainees to general human anatomy with specifications of phlebotomy-related body functions and systems. The main purpose of this part is to make the trainee understand the close relation of these systems to the safety of a client as well as the process of specimen collection. A brief idea about the flow of the bold and the diagnostic testing is also given.
Focus on preparations required before and after blood collection
The third session mainly focuses on the infections and the risks faced by the patients during the entire process of phlebotomy. It also makes the trainees aware about the importance of proper hand hygiene and the usage of protective equipments. The fourth session is divided into two different parts in which the first part concentrates on the general terminology, word roots and abbreviations and symbols and the second part brings the trainee face to face with medical equipments used during the process of blood collection such as blood drawing stations, chairs, carts, trays, gloves, antiseptics, gauze pads, needles, disposal containers, slides and disinfectants. The fifth session mainly deals with the preparation of the patients mentally as well as physically. The sixth session consists of the venipuncture process involved in the collection of blood samples and the seventh focuses on the post puncture care given to the patients.
Knowledge about advanced site selection is given in the eighth session which teaches the trainees to deal with special needs and difficult patients. It also makes the trainees aware about the factors related to age, pregnancy or gender to be kept in mind before initiating the process. The last section of the training program mainly deals with specimen care, processing and requisition which teach the trainees about proper handling of the patient specimens.