Top 5 Phlebotomy Training Programs for Beginners
Phlebotomists are one of the many essential workers in the healthcare sector. As medical services expand, diagnostics and research on blood samples are only increasing. In the past two decades, employment opportunities for phlebotomists have increased significantly. If you are interested in phlebotomy and want to know more about getting training in the UK you are in the right place. But before we get to the best phlebotomy training program, let’s see who are phlebotomists and what to expect.
Phlebotomists are medical technicians who collect blood samples directly from patients. The process is one of the most straightforward procedures in the medical realm. Which is why many medical professionals also find it handy to be able to draw blood from patients. In the next section we’ll look at what you should expect working as a phlebotomist.
Being a phlebotomist entails a lot of responsibilities. There are various aspects to the job you need to master to function efficiently. Here’s what you should be prepared for,
The technical aspect phlebotomy can be summed up into, preparing and arranging blood drawing trays, verifying patient identity, specimen labeling, preparing and transporting samples for processing etc. Apart from this phlebotomists need to maintain safety and hygiene of the phlebotomy equipment, and dispose waste products according to the national guidelines.
Phlebotomy is a full time responsibility in medical and diagnostic laboratories, private clinics, blood donation centers and medical facilities. 55% of phlebotomists in the UK were employed full time in 2017. Work environments in critical and emergency care units are hectic. So, being efficient and accurate is a must even under pressure.
In large hospitals or in independent laboratories that operate continuously, phlebotomists are needed in shifts and may even work on weekends or holidays. Phlebotomists are required to have certain immunisations and comply with strict sample handling guidelines.
The benefits of having authentic certification in any field deserves a blog of it’s own. To state briefly there are 3 major benefits to having certification for your skills.
Having certification resolves any doubt about your competence. If you’ve put in the effort to earn certification it means you are serious about taking up the profession. It also implies that you are dedicated as well.
When you provide certification employers are assured that you will maintain the relevant safety protocols. This is especially important in the health care sector.
Your certification gives you a solid basis for negotiating salary and responsibilities. Reducing the chances of you getting into an arrangement that under values your service.
The prime place with the most number of phlebotomy positions is NHS hospitals. Other prominent work places include clinical diagnostic laboratories and research centres. Apart from these you may find work at old age homes, blood banks and private clinics although these organisations employ a fraction of phlebotomists compared to hospitals.
Average annual salary for beginner phlebotomists is around £18000, provided on UKTaxCalculator. PayScale reports the annual average between £15000-£21000 depending on skill and experience. Indeed puts the average at £18800.
This practical training course covers in-depth information on topics such as the composition and circulation of blood and the three main veins for drawing blood. It also covers best practice procedures, infection prevention measures and blood withdrawal equipment. Find the course here. It is the highest rated Phlebotomy training program on Reed, UK’s largest job and recruitment market.
The Phlebotomist training course aims to provide a comprehensive review of the venipuncture procedure, including equipment and supplies. It also includes safety and infection control, and specimen handling and processing.
You will learn about anatomy and physiology of the veins for safe and effective venipuncture for the process of blood sampling. The course will develop all the necessary skills to perform basic and advanced venipuncture safely, while minimizing the risk of pre-analytical errors.
Venepuncture is a procedure that is performed by nursing and medical staff in a wide variety of clinical areas as a clinical and diagnostic aid in patient management. This course is designed for health care professionals who would like to learn the skill of venipuncture. Find the course here.
You receive two certificates for this phlebotomy training program. The certificate of attendance after completing the online training and the certificate of competence after successfully completing the practical training delivered at a clinic. Find the course here.
The Phlebotomy Training course is designed to cover venipuncture procedures along with tracking, identifying, and labelling blood samples. You’ll learn the role and responsibilities of a phlebotomist, human anatomy and physiology of the veins.
Besides, learn more about equipment and supplies, and how to keep instruments sterilised in order to avoid complications or the spread of infections. Find the course here.
This course initially focuses on the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology and covers the entire phlebotomy procedure. The training includes use of essential equipment and supplies, handle specimens, and take blood samples safely. Find the course here
All of the above phlebotomy training programs provide quality training for a reasonable investment. The modules are designed with industry standards in mind. If you have a certification from one of these training providers you are bound to be successful. CPD accreditation means your certificates are valid anywhere in the UK. So what are you waiting for? These programs are your solution to becoming a phlebotomist.
Wasif Hossain is a part-time blogger and loves to dig information.