As a phlebotomist, you can use your knowledge, training, and skills in a variety of healthcare facilities, laboratories, and blood donation centers. All these organizations need people who know how to draw blood and take patient specimens so healthcare professionals can assess and diagnose patients, conduct breakthrough research, and collect blood that can save people’s lives. Here are few places you might find work as a phlebotomist:
1. Phlebotomists Work in Hospitals
Public and private hospitals need phlebotomists to perform blood work. In these facilities, you see patients every day. Using venipuncture and finger sticks, you collect specimens that can be analyzed for markers of illness and disease. Doctors take the results to devise and recommend treatment plans. In addition to collecting blood, you also follow proper infection control procedures, which includes cleaning and sterilizing equipment between patients and using a new needle for each patient. Samples must also be accurately labeled, packaged, and delivered to the lab.
2. Doctor’s Offices Need Phlebotomists
Doctors with private practices can also use your services, and they often have a less hectic environment than a hospital. The type of patient you see depends upon the practice. For example, if you work for a pediatrician, your patients will be children and you will need to conform your skills to smaller patients. You may also update patient medical records, take and order inventory, and maintain your phlebotomy tray, all your equipment, and your working area.
3. Mobile Blood Banks
Bloodmobiles run by hospitals and The Big Red Bus from OneBlood.com provide portable blood drives for communities all over the country. Patients can conveniently donate blood and platelets without going to a healthcare facility. But those mobile blood trucks need skilled phlebotomists to calm nervous donors, answer questions, and draw blood. Bloodmobiles are critical do keeping supplies full. Especially during national crises like the pandemic, blood supplies can run low and jeopardize patient health. But mobile blood drives help boost supply.
4. Phlebotomists at The Red Cross
When you think of blood drives, you probably also think of The Red Cross. They have fixed sites as well as mobile blood banks where blood donations are collected. As a Phlebotomist for this organization, you might work 10-hour shifts Monday through Thursday, and every other Sunday. You might also need to work some weekends, evenings, and holidays. If connecting with patients is a strength, you might enjoy working with The Red Cross. While you draw blood, The Red Cross asks that you listen to the donor’s story and remind them of the impact their donation can have.
5. Diagnostic Laboratories
You can also find work at diagnostic laboratories such as LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics. Working as a Phlebotomist at one of these organizations, you may collect urine and stool samples, and conduct drug screenings, in addition to drawing blood. You package the samples and prepare them for transport to the testing facility. You might also perform administrative tasks such as medical billing, ordering supplies, and answering phones and emails.
Interested in a career as a Phlebotomist? There are plenty of places you might work and demand is expected to grow faster than average throughout the decade. At Charter Career Academy, you can learn the skills you need to work in phlebotomy in 12 – 20 weeks. Upon successful completion of your program, you can also sit for Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association. Fill out the form today to learn more.