How To Become A Phlebotomy Technician
The job description for a phlebotomy technician is as follows: a healthcare professional trained to extract blood samples from patients safely and with precise skill. The blood extracted from patients is usually used for tests or stored for donations. Usually, these professionals work in clinical labs where blood samples are collected and tested.
Ways to Obtain Training
1. Enroll in Technical Schools - various healthcare & phlebotomy training centers provide college credits and often provide accelerated classes that usually span a period of 3 months or ten weeks. The cost of getting training in this manner is somewhat more expensive.
2. Enroll at the University or College - Formal education at a university or college is a lot less expensive. The classes are offered are equivalent to 4.0 credits and can be finished in one semester. For a student to qualify for a board exam, he or she has to complete 4.0 credits.
Either way, the course will definitely include training at a clinic or hospital. This type of training is called a clinical. This is where the actual task of sticking needles into people is done for the first time. Of course, the student has to be prepared carefully before undergoing this aspect of the training through thorough study on both theory and practice.
Phlebotomy Technician Certification
After the course is completed, the student is given the opportunity to take a national or state board exam. When the examinee passes, he has to have a certain amount of clinical experience first before obtaining a permanent license. The certifications can be obtained from the American Association of Medical Personnel (AAMP), the American Medical Technologists (AMT), or the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).
To get experience, one must either get a job at a clinic or local hospital, or volunteer at a homeless clinic. Homeless clinics are usually accepting volunteers and many of those looking for experience choose this path to avoid risks. Keep in mind that a permanent status as a certified phlebotomist takes a certain number of actual experience in sticking needles into actual patients. After obtaining a permanent status, you can find easily find a job and get paid fairly for your expertise.
Phlebotomist’s Payscale
The salary for becoming such a technician depends on various factors including where you work, actual experience, and position. Work experience usually dictates the actual pay. On average, beginners usually get around $20,000 a year. The rate can be higher if the job is on night shifts. However, recent surveys report that technicians usually get about $19,000-$38,000 a year. Of course, this all depends on where you work and how long you have been working. In addition, the rate can be increased with overtime work, not to mention promotion to a senior status.
As a technician, it is recommended that you maintain the quality of your work. Any mistakes committed during actual practice can either get you fired or demoted. Finding a job is never easy these days, but as long as you are good at what you do, there are many opportunities available for a phlebotomy technician anywhere.
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