A phlebotomist has a vital job in healthcare. The main responsibility is to collect blood from patients and then send it away for analysis. But there are a whole range of other tasks that have to be performed as part of your daily routine. These include: –
• Explaining the procedure to patients, their relatives and carers
• Comforting and reassuring distressed and anxious patients who may be afraid of blood and/or needles
• Expertly finding a vein and drawing the blood in a way that does not cause undue stress or pain to the patient
• Applying a clean dressing to the puncture wound
• Labelling each tube with the patient’s correct details as any errors could result in misdiagnosis
• Sending the blood samples away to a laboratory within the time limit that will have been specified to you
• Checking requests for blood samples made by doctors, consultants or other medical staff
• Filling in forms, maintaining computer records and re-ordering stock when necessary
• Being responsible for your safety and that of the patients
Depending on where you work you may have additional duties and responsibilities such as handling phone calls from patients and doctors about appointments and/or visiting patients in care homes.
In pathology labs duties can include drawing a patient’s blood, correctly labelling the samples, and preparing them to be analysed.
Phlebotomists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, pathology laboratories and nursing homes. You must be able to skillfully draw blood whilst minimizing the pain for patients.
You do not need to have a stash of qualifications to embark on a phlebotomy career, but most employers favour those who have at least two GCSEs with good passes. Although not essential they demonstrate that you have reached a certain level of educational attainment.
Other qualifications that can help you include BTEC Awards and the Diploma in Society, Health and Development.
Although you won’t possess a piece of paper that says patients are your number one priority you must have and be able to demonstrate a strong interest in healthcare and a desire to help patients.
There is though one qualification that you must have and that is the Certificate of Competency. It involves up to six months training that consists of theory classes, practise draws on mannequins and then live draws with real people.
The certificate is recognised by all healthcare employers. In fact many will not even offer you an interview if you don’t have it.
Not only will it help you to get a job but it will also help you to get ahead in the profession.
Phlebotomy is a medical skill and for non-medical practitioners training is the only way forward to learn how to draw blood correctly. It is also the best way of gaining your Certificate of Competency.
Training to become a phlebotomist usually takes up to six months and is almost entirely on the job. It involves learning to take blood from different patient groups such as the very young and the old.
Trainee phlebotomists first practise on mannequins before drawing blood from live patients in medical settings. And there are theory classes too.
Your training will give you a valuable insight into the medical profession and you will be taught the following: –
• The different methods of blood collection
• The correct handling of equipment
• The health and safety aspects of phlebotomy
• All aspects of blood taking, the need for different sample tubes and labelling protocols
• How to choose the correct sites for venipuncture and the anatomical and physiological conditions that you must take into consideration
• The importance of professional standards and codes of practice
Once your training has been completed successfully you will be awarded with the Certificate of Competency and be in a very strong position to start your medical career.
Although plastic collection containers are now in widespread use, blood spills can and do still occur and sometimes this may also involve broken glass as well.
Your institution should have clearly visible guidelines about what to do in such a situation, but in general the following steps should be followed.
At the first sign of spillage make sure the area is contained and that no one can walk through and potentially spread the blood to other areas.
For small spills and splashes that do not involved broken glass the area should be saturated with a solution containing bleach and mopped up with absorbent towels.
Never attempt to clean any spillage without wearing appropriate protective clothing. You should never touch blood with your hand, even when wearing protective disposable gloves.
Never spray a blood spill as this may cause aerosols. Instead, gently pour bleach or disinfectant onto the affected area.
For bigger spills and splashes involving glass the area should also be flooded with a solution containing bleach, and sprinkled with an absorbent compound.
At a minimum the bleach or disinfectant must be in contact with the spill area for two minutes.
Your hospital or facility may provide you with commercial spill kits that contain gloves, scoops, disinfectants and biohazard waste disposal bags.
To remove the hazard sweep the shattered glass and blood-soaked absorbent compound into a dustpan, and then put the debris into a sharps container.
Bleach the floor again and wipe with absorbent towels. Place towels in a biohazard receptacle. And at the end of the process remember to wash your hands.
If you want to be a great phlebotomist who is much in demand and stands apart from the rest of the field then a Certificate of Competency will help you to achieve your goals.
Although there are no pre-requisite qualifications needed to become a phlebotomist in the UK a Certificate of Competency is a must. It will drastically improve your chances when applying for phlebotomy-related positions.
Not only will you be able to demonstrate expert knowledge, but you will also have a body of valuable practical experience to call on.
A Certificate of Competency is an investment in your future that lets a prospective employer know that you know how to draw blood properly and are serious about your chosen career
This will allow you to work without close supervision, and the certificate is recognised by all hospitals and medical institutions.
There are many practising phlebotomists who don’t have a Certificate of Competency, they learnt on the job. But this is no longer considered as the best way of training. A structured program with plenty of theory and practical training is now viewed as the most valuable way of picking up the required skills and knowledge.
Maxis Healthcare provides first class training where you will practise on real life patients in a medical setting. We follow the 18 core competencies recommended by the NHS and our lecturers are amongst the most senior people in their fields.
A phlebotomist is at the frontline of patient care and as such is a great risk of being exposed to pathogens.
Infection by a pathogen occurs when a microbe such as a virus, bacterium, fungi, or protozoa invades the body, multiplies and causes a disease in the process.
Although most microbes are non pathogenic all patients must be considered as if they are carrying disease-causing organisms.
Therefore infection control is vital to prevent the spread of disease.
Infection control methods include; –
Hand washing – this is one of the most important means of stopping the spread of infectious organisms. Hands should be washed before and after a phlebotomy procedure. Make sure you are familiar with the hand hygiene procedures of your hospital or institution.
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of scrupulous hygiene procedures. The spread of antibiotic resistant microbes has been due in large part to lax hygiene protocols in hospitals.
Protective equipment – used properly, clothing acts as an effective barrier against the spread of infection. These items should also be disposed of properly after use to prevent the risk of infection to others.
Protective items of clothing include clean gloves, which should be pulled over cuffs of gowns or lab coats. Hands must be washed every time gloves are removed.
Fluid-resistant gowns are also worn to protect the skin and to prevent clothing from being soiled.
Face shield – face shields or protective glasses are worn by some staff to protect against splashes of body fluids.
It can be sometimes difficult to understand just how much danger is posed by a pathogen. After all they are tiny and can’t even be seen with the naked eye. But consider this. The HBV virus which causes hepatitis B can survive on contaminated surfaces for up to a week.
Therefore a phlebotomist puts patients, staff and the wider population at risk by not wearing appropriate hospital attire, or by not maintaining a clean draw station.
Many phlebotomists feel that the most satisfying part of their job comes from being in the front line of patient care. They feel great reward from playing a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of the patients they meet. And they are made to feel a core part of the team by senior colleagues who understand the demands and pressures of the job.
Many phlebotomists also enjoy and thrive on the interaction with patients.
There is immense satisfaction to be had from making the blood draw experience a pleasant one for the countless number of patients who dread having their blood taken. This is achieved by your calm and caring manner, the knowledge you have acquired about which needles to use for which veins as well as your ability to draw blood with minimal pain.
Your skills will be in most demand for those extreme cases where an individual’s fear of needles and the sight of blood might prevent them from seeking out medical help when they need it.
And last, but not least there is the tremendous sense of achievement and satisfaction to be had when you get the draw right first time!
You’ve made the big decision that you want to become a phlebotomist and play an integral part in patient healthcare, but how do you go about getting the job?
The first thing to note is that you do not need any specific qualifications to be able to draw blood. However, it’s helpful if you have a few good GCSE passes and a definite and demonstrable interest in the human body and patient care.
What you will need is professional training so that you qualify for your Certificate of Competency. This is essential for non-medical practitioners and many hospitals and health care trusts won’t even consider an application from you unless you have it.
Then you need to find an accredited organisation that will give you the right training and experience.
At Maxis Healthcare we have a range of courses for medical and non-medical students which are taught by senior figures in phlebotomy with vast teaching experience.
Your Certificate of Competency will ensure that you stand head and shoulders above the competition and it shows that you are able to draw blood in the correct way.
Once you have the certificate in your hands you will be able to apply for jobs immediately and take your first step toward an exciting and dynamic medical career.
You will find jobs advertised in regional newspapers, on job search websites, and with some recruitment agencies.
During a phlebotomy procedure blood is generally taken from veins in the arm of a patient, though hand veins can sometimes be used.
The three most commonly used veins in phlebotomy are the cephalic, median cubital and basilic veins. They are found in the antecubital region which is the area of the arm near the elbow.
The cephalic vein is found on the outside of the arm. The basilic vein is located on the inner part of the antecubital area, whilst the median cubital vein is situated close to the centre.
The median cubital vein is by far the much preferred vein for phlebotomy. This is because it is larger than the other veins, lies close to the surface and remains stationary. Veins have a tendency to roll which can make life difficult for the phlebotomist.
The cephalic and basilic veins are used if the phlebotomist cannot for whatever reason use the median cubital. For example, it may be damaged in some way. If this is the case the cephalic vein is the second choice as it is reasonably well anchored.
The basilic vein is third choice because it is less stationary and it is also situated close to a nerve and artery, making it a potentially more dangerous area to use.
Hand veins are sometimes used when veins in the antecubital area cannot provide a suitable site. However, they are not ideal as they tend to roll, and with many nerves running through the hand this kind of venipuncture can be more painful for a patient.
Although veins of the legs, feet an ankle can be used it is usually left for a doctor to carry out these procedures as there is a potential for clots to form.
There has never been a better time to get a job as a phlebotomist, as opportunities are increasing at a rapid rate. With staff turnover and the rise of more health screening initiatives there is an urgent need for highly skilled and well trained professionals.
This growth is also driven by the medical needs of an ageing population and the requirement for more diagnostic testing. There is also an increase in health care services in the home.
In some areas, particularly London and other major cites there is even a shortage of phlebotomists.
Although most phlebotomists are employed by the National Health Service there are other employers crying out for skilled medical professionals who are trained to draw blood. Plenty of jobs can be found in the private healthcare sector and in pathology laboratories.
Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on job search websites such as www.jobs.nhs.uk and through recruitment agencies. Some agencies are solely for medical personnel.
Or you could get your name known by getting in touch with the human resources department or phlebotomy manager at your local hospital or primary care trust. They may know when the next lot of opportunities will appear for trainees.
Haemochromatosis is a condition where the body absorbs too much iron from the diet. Although it is an essential nutrient it can cause major league problems if the body cannot get rid of excess amounts. Iron can accumulate in organs and damage them.
Therapeutic phlebotomy (TP) is an ideal solution for patients with haemochromatosis and works by removing blood cells that are rich in iron. Although there have been attempts to develop more elegant solutions, TP is still seen as the most economical and safe treatment.
Phlebotomy removes red blood cells from the body which stimulates the bone marrow to create replacements. Iron is therefore removed from body to stores to make haemoglobin, the oxygen carrying component of every red blood cell. In this way a patient’s iron level is reduced to a safe and healthier amount.
The consequences of too much iron in the body are serious and can sometimes be fatal. These include elevated risk of liver cancer, cardiomyopathy, arthritis, diabetes and abdominal pain.
Venipuncture is usually performed once a week and every pint of blood removed contains about a quarter of a gram of iron.
Depending on the amount of iron overload treatment may continue like this for about two years, with serum levels being continually monitored.
This however, will not be the end of the story as the patient will still be producing excess amounts of iron. Therefore TP will then take place every three or four months for the rest of the patient’s life.
If haemochromatosis is diagnosed early enough the treatment can be very effective. It will not be able to cure cirrhosis of the liver or diabetes if these conditions are already present at time of diagnosis. But fatigue and abdominal pain should decrease, cardiomyopathy may improve and cirrhosis tends not to get any worse.
The good news is that you have already made a positive impression on your prospective future employers. They have seen something in your CV or application form that tells them that you have potential.
You have stood out from the many hundreds of applicants. Sure, others are going to be interviewed, but you are now a contender and have the opportunity to prove that you really are the right person for the job.
There is only one person who knows what questions you will be asked in your interview, and that’s the interviewer. But thinking ahead and preparing for the types of questions you think will be asked will stand you in good stead, and help you to deal with the nerves.
Your interviewer will want to know if you posses the requisite skills, dedication and enthusiasm for the job, so the best preparation here is to research the role thoroughly.
There will be questions based on your CV – they could be about your employment history, interests and qualifications. So draw up a list of the types of questions you think you will be asked.
For example, interview favourites are – What three things would your last boss say about you? Why do you want the job? What is the most challenging situation you’ve had to face and how did you deal with it?
Question areas to expect are: –
• Questions about your previous work
• Questions on how you work with others and relate to the public
• Questions about how you cope in difficult situations
• Questions about life outside of the working environment
• Questions about your strengths and weaknesses
No two interviews are the same – the tone, seating arrangements, and questions can differ as the interviewer assesses your skills, competency, motivation and commitment. This is your chance to sell yourself and the qualities you will bring to the job. Be confident, but don’t be brash.
Your interviewer will also want to know how interested you are in the job, so prepare a couple of questions about the role and the place you want to work in. Good luck!
One of the great challenges of phlebotomy is calming down a patient who is needle phobic. It makes the job of a phlebotomist much tougher and is a serious concern.
It has been estimated that more than 10% of the population has an extreme and intense fear of needles.
For some people the fear is so great that they will not seek out medical advice for anything that ails them. This is potentially life-threatening, and it is unknown how many people have died because they have been too scared to seek out medical care because of their phobia.
If a patient professes to be needle phobic this should not be taken lightly. Some phobics can experience a shock type effect before, during or after venipuncture. In the most severe cases patients have been known to suffer cardiac arrest.
Patients who are scared of needles and who have built up the courage to have their blood taken should be treated with empathy. And there are several steps that a phlebotomist can take to make the procedure easier for them.
• The first thing to say is that only the most experienced phlebotomist should see a needle phobic patient
• Be aware that some of the equipment in your draw station may send a patient into panic mode. Consider if it all needs to be on show
• Shallow and quick breathing is symptomatic of a needle phobic person and it cannot be emphasised enough how encouraging them to take deep and slow breaths will help them to calm down
• Have the patient lie down with legs elevated. This can help prevent loss of consciousness
• Try to establish a rapport with the patient and always speak in calm and measured tones
• Apply an ice pack to the venicpunture site for about 10 minutes prior to needle insertion. This will numb the area
• Some needle phobics will know their preferred sites for needle insertion.
Needle phobics will differ in their responses and the individual must be considered when seeking a solution. There is no catch-all answer that will help all needle phobics.
If a needle phobic patient is so anxious that they refuse to take part then follow your facility’s guidelines on what to do next, such as aborting the procedure or whether a skin puncture/incision will do, if only small amount of blood is required.
