When choosing an area in the medical field to receive training, consider phlebotomy. What is phlebotomy? What does it involve? A phlebotomist is an allied medical professional who draws blood from patients or blood donors for medical testing. Processing the blood collected is another task of a phlebotomist. If you become a phlebotomist some of your duties could be; explaining procedures to patients, updating patient records, preparing stains and reagents, drawing blood by vein or skin punctures, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, taking blood pressure, pulse and respiration rates, and sending urine and fecal samples for lab testing, all while working under the direction of a physician.

Phlebotomy programs are available over the internet as well as in person. You will need your high school degree or GED to be able to take these courses in phlebotomy schools you choose. Now you are ready to take phlebotomy classes to complete an accredited phlebotomist program. Depending on the type of degree you wish to complete, the average completion time can be anywhere from a semester to a year. Some courses include anatomy, physiology of the circulation system and phlebotomy techniques. There will also be practical labs to work on drawing blood. Your course may require that you intern as well.

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