What Online Phlebotomy Schools Can Do For You

Online Phlebotomy Schools are your perfect chance to make your way into the world of Phlebotomy. It is a flourishing medical field which has a lot of growth opportunity. With the technological advancements in clinical sciences and the development in medical world, the requirement for more and more Phlebotomists has emerged. There is dire need of these professional in clinics, labs and hospitals so that they can extract blood and use it to conduct various blood tests. The online Phlebotomy schools enable people to become professional Phlebotomists and serve the society. Also, by establishing your career in this field, you can make good earnings.

The Phlebotomy schools equip you with the technical and clinical information which is essential to become a Phlebotomist. One can acquire certificate or diploma from these schools and make his way into this medical field. Phlebotomy includes extracting blood from patient's vein for the purpose of conducting blood tests. Keeping in view that it is a tricky process, one has to develop this skill properly so that he can carry out his job in a safe and effective way.

As an entry requirement, one has to have a high school diploma or GED to be able to get into the Phlebotomy school. To do a job as a Phlebotomist, you have to get a certification from Phlebotomy College or Vocational School. The online Phlebotomy schools in particular enable you to appear for internships. The diplomas and certifications offered by these are for about a period of 3 months. The associate degree program in Phlebotomy is for about 18 months.

You will be able to learn anatomy, physiology as well as phlebotomy techniques from these institutes. They also equip you with communicating skills which are essential to deal effectively with patients. Hands-on training in extracting blood using veni-puncture is also provided in these schools. Blood collection methods, legal aspects of blood collection etc. are also taught in these online institutes.

Other than doing the work of extracting blood, Phlebotomy includes other important tasks as well. Test preparation tests, collecting or testing samples of urine etc. may also be a part of your job. Other responsibilities may include data entry of reports and other clerical tasks. By undergoing training from the online Phlebotomy schools you will be able to make a great career in Phlebotomy.


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Healthcare in the Blood - Phlebotomy Schools

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2006, healthcare comprised the single largest industry in the U.S. economy--providing 14 million jobs. By 2016, health care is expected to gain 3 million new wage and salary jobs, more than any other industry. Most healthcare jobs require less than four years of college education. If you're looking for a fast way into a healthcare career, consider pursuing phlebotomy training.

If you've ever donated blood or had your blood tested, you've gotten a glimpse of what phlebotomists do. Laboratories employ phlebotomists to collect quality blood samples from patients and produce reliable test result in the laboratory--from toxin screenings and cholesterol counts, to tests for viruses and bacterial infections. Phlebotomists also coordinate continuing education (a requirement for recertification), and arrange presentations on new techniques, research, and safety techniques.

Why Become a Phlebotomist? 

Within the rapidly expanding healthcare industry, employment of clinical laboratory technicians (which includes phlebotomists) is expected to increase 14 percent from 2006 to 2016--faster than the average for all occupations. The increase in new jobs is a result of increasing population and the development of new laboratory tests.

In addition to expanding career opportunities, phlebotomy offers an excellent opportunity to earn a livable wage. According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), phlebotomy technicians in the United States earned an average annual salary of $24,350. According to the BLS, median annual earnings for medical and clinical laboratory technicians were $34,270 in May of 2007.
Because phlebotomists need less training than other healthcare and laboratory professionals, they typically earn lower wages. However, the comparatively minimal training can allow you to jump into the healthcare industry more quickly than would be possible with other career paths.

How to Become a Phlebotomist

If phlebotomy sounds like the right career for you, your best bet is to begin in high school, building a solid foundation in math and science. If you've already earned your high school diploma, you can find phlebotomy training through vocational schools or phlebotomy degree programs. Phlebotomists can typically find entry-level work after completing an associate's degree or certificate program. Some have bachelor's degrees in a life science like biology or biochemistry. Most phlebotomy training includes classroom work in human anatomy and physiology (with an emphasis on the circulatory system). On-the-job phlebotomy training includes supervised practical experience drawing blood, disposing of biohazardous materials, and basic laboratory procedures. Hands-on phlebotomy training is also intensely safety-focused, since workers risk frequent exposure to blood-borne illnesses--including Hepatitis and HIV.

Successful completion of phlebotomy training is a general prerequisite to gaining state certification. Depending on your location, your state typically requires you to become licensed through one of six agencies that give certification exams for phlebotomists--including the National Phlebotomy Association, the ASCP, and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. These organizations are also responsible for periodic recertification of phlebotomists.

Moving Up: Advancement in Phlebotomy

If you want to increase your earnings, responsibility, and enhance your hiring potential, you can also gain certification as a donor phlebotomy technician (DPT). These are the phlebotomists who collect blood from voluntary donors, often at remote locations. You can also advance to a supervisory role, with increased earnings as a result. Phlebotomy supervisors earn $35,000 a year on average according to the ASCP.
Above all, you should be able to work well under pressure, be accurate in your work, and be an effective communicator. If you're insightful enough to relay important information to the doctors, nurses, and your fellow lab technicians, you've already got a head start. Check out phlebotomy degree programs today.


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The Advantages Of Online Phlebotomy Certification

Phlebotomists are healthcare workers that draw blood samples for analysis. Doctors use the results as an important diagnostic tool. They are knowledgeable of human anatomy and physiology, especially of the cardiovascular system. They receive specialized training and many choose to become certified technicians.

There are many benefits to obtaining one's phlebotomy certification. Certification of practicing phlebotomy technicians is not required by law in the United States, except in California and Louisiana. However, the many employers of phlebotomists (including hospitals, private healthcare clinics, laboratories, and blood banks) choose only to hire certified phlebotomists. Having offline or online phlebotomy certification demonstrates that the phlebotomist has a thorough understanding of blood collection standards and protocols set by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Many phlebotomists acquire online phlebotomy certification.

Completing an online phlebotomy training program is not the equivalent of offline phlebotomy certification. To be eligible for offline and online certification, technicians must complete a phlebotomy training program. A program must be accredited to be recognized by certifying agencies and employers. Accreditation is awarded through the United States Department of Education, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NAACLS), or similar. Good training programs use the materials and guidelines set by the CLSI. Like many other training programs, phlebotomy training is available in a traditional classroom setting as well as online. Traditional programs, offered through community colleges, medical facilities, and career or vocational colleges, provide hours of classroom and hands-on clinical instruction. Choosing an online program can give the student the freedom to set their own schedule, which is especially beneficial for those working part or full time. However, it is important to select an online program that also provides clinical instruction or helps students set up internships. Hands-on experience is necessary to qualify for certification exams.

Acquiring online certification is done through ten national certifying agencies. These agencies include the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), the American Phlebotomy Association (APA), and the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA).Most certifying agencies accept online applications on a continuous basis. Online phlebotomy certification can be completed at the convenience of the applicant. Freedom of scheduling is a major benefit to online phlebotomy certification. Online phlebotomy certification consists of a standardized exam, which is completed online. Certification is awarded upon successful completion. Some certifying agencies will also require a practical portion, which cannot be completed online.

There are many resources available to students pursuing online phlebotomy certification. Textbooks, such as Phlebotomy Essentials (4th edition) by Ruth E McCall and Cathee M Tankersley, provide comprehensive information that covers phlebotomy techniques, safety protocols, and legal issues. Numerous phlebotomy workbooks and practice tests are available. Practice exams and review guides designed for online phlebotomy certification preparation are available through each certifying agency.

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