A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Phlebotomy Technician!

Are you making up your mind to become a phlebotomy technician? If yes, then you have selected the right career option. If you are looking for a new and exciting career opportunity in the healthcare industry, then enrolling in the phlebotomy technician program in Texas will provide you a stable employment and a positive work environment. This career opportunity allows you to work in various medical settings, i.e., from mobile blood banks to plasma centers to hospitals, doctor offices, and many more.

When you think of the word phlebotomy, the first thing that strikes your mind is drawing someone’s blood, but this career opportunity is not just all about drawing blood. In fact, in this role, you will be responsible for comforting patients, taking up their vital information, and updating the information in the medical database. Apart from this, you will be liable for collecting the patient’s blood samples, labeling them, and sending them to the laboratory for testing.

Job responsibilities phlebotomy technicians–

While phlebotomist technicians are responsible for performing various duties depending on their position or employer, they typically need to do the following tasks:

• Techniques to safely draw blood and bandage patients after collecting samples.
• Preparing blood specimens for sending them to laboratories for testing.
• Updating and maintaining patients’ medical records.
• Cleaning, preparing, and sterilizing various medical equipment.
• Measuring and recording the patient’s blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, and oxygen levels.

Steps to become a phlebotomy technician –

The requirement to become a phlebotomy technician may vary from state to state. But in most cases, acquiring a certification in phlebotomy is essential to become a licensed phlebotomy technician.

The phlebotomy technician program is normally offered in various technical and vocational schools in Texas and generally takes less than a year to complete. Once the aspirants complete their graduation, they become eligible to take a professional certification exam. Below are some of the steps you need to take to become a phlebotomist technician. These are;

Earn a high school diploma or GED –

One of the most appealing parts of this career opportunity is that you can work in it without having a college degree. Typically, a high school diploma or GED (General Education Development) is all you need to enroll in this training program.

Completing an accredited phlebotomy technician program –

This training program typically takes less than a year to complete and is accessible at a variety of technical and vocational colleges. This training program involves both classroom and hands-on instruction in anatomy, medical terminology, and physiology. After completing this training program, you can pursue becoming a certified phlebotomy technician by completing a certified phlebotomy training program. Standard eligibility criteria for a phlebotomy training program include the following;

• Testimony of high school graduation or its equivalent.
• CPR certification.
• Background check.
• Updated vaccination record.

Earning a certification –

There are three levels of certificates that a phlebotomy training program can offer to students who want to kick-start their careers in this field. These are;

• Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) – This certification authorizes an individual to perform skin puncture blood collection.
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) – This certification allows an individual to perform skin puncture and venipuncture blood collection.
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician II (CPT II) – This certification validates an individual to perform skin puncture, venipuncture, and arterial puncture blood collection.

Taking the certification exam –

Once you complete your phlebotomy training program, you become eligible to take the certification exam, which needs;

• Completion of the phlebotomy training program.
• Hands-on training experience.
• Prior experience in performing venipunctures or skin punctures.

You can seek certification from various nationally recognized certification organizations, including;

• American Medical Technologists (AMT).
• National Center for Competency Testing/Multi-skilled Medical Certification Institute (NCCT/MMCI).
• American Certification Agency (ACA).
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT).
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
• National Performance Specialists (NPS).
• National Phlebotomy Association (NPA).
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• National Credentialing Agency (NCA).

This certification test can have as many as 300 questions, and it also has both written and practical components in which you'll need to demonstrate your competence to do tasks like drawing blood, labeling sample vials, sterilizing equipment, and more.

Skills that a phlebotomy technician needs to have –

Apart from the technical training, phlebotomy technicians need to have these skills to work in various medical settings;

• Attention to detail – A phlebotomy technician needs to pay attention to sample amounts, data input, sample labeling, and tracking.
• Hand-eye coordination – They need to have steady hands and good coordination for performing smooth blood draw and minimizing patient discomfort.
• Organizational skills – A phlebotomy technician is culpable for maintaining a sterilized and organized workplace.
• Needs to have soft skills – A successful phlebotomy technician uses interpersonal skills like empathy, verbal and non-verbal communication, and patience to provide good patient experiences.

Benefits of phlebotomy technician –

There are many alluring benefits of choosing a career as a licensed phlebotomy technician, such as –

On-demand career opportunities –

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of phlebotomists is expected to grow by 25% until 2028.

One of the biggest benefits of selecting a phlebotomy training program is that you can enter this field very quickly. Once you complete your graduation and receive your certification, you will find yourself in a career that is in demand these days.

Have better pay at entry-level –

It is seen that licensed phlebotomy technicians are much favored by employers and can generally secure a better-paying job at the entry-level in comparison to various other healthcare jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average median salary a phlebotomy technician can earn is $36,320 per year. Apart from this, a phlebotomist can enjoy flexible working hours while earning decent pay.

Rewarding work –

Phlebotomy technicians play an essential role in the world of the healthcare industry. Various medical physicians, like doctors, may rely on skilled medical workers to draw blood from a patient body, screen for illnesses, make diagnoses, monitor treatment plans, and more. These are one of the few members of the team who can be trusted to safely, accurately, and efficiently collect blood samples for testing.

Apart from this, they act as unsung heroes in case of emergency and disaster situations. Without them, blood banks and collection centers would not be able to operate properly, and many more lives would be lost.

Offer job satisfaction –

This is an excellent career opportunity for those who desire to interact with and help a variety of people. This job option mostly suits those with good interpersonal skills who can effectively put patients at ease during a medical procedure. The ability to assist, reassure, and help patients in diagnosis contributes to high job satisfaction for those who desire to opt for this career option.

Curious to learn more about this training program?

Do you think opting for a phlebotomy technician program in Texas sounds like a great career for you? If yes, reach out to Texas Healthtech Institute to learn more about this training program and get started today by calling them at (409) 866 0555.