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| What IS phlebotomy? | |
| What sort of person does this? | |
| Where can I learn to become a phlebotomist? | |
| What are the certification requirements in my state? | |
| I just finished my certification. Will you hire me? | |
| What kind of salary do phlebotomists make? | |
| Can you send me information about...? | |
| Can I get HIV from giving a blood sample? | |
| What about that lab tech in California? | |
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What IS phlebotomy? |
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Webster's defines phlebotomy as:
phle bot o my \fli-'bät-eh-mee\ n : the letting of blood in the treatment of disease : VENESECTION Hence:
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What sort of person does this?
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| Some may say it takes a strange person to be a phlebotomist, but a good many phlebotomist are actually pretty normal. Many health care professionals from laboratory technicians to doctors spend time learning the art of phlebotomy as part of their general training. | |
Where can I learn to become a phlebotomist? |
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| Various local colleges and private companies provide phlebotomy training and certification for those wishing to learn how to handle a vacutainer with skill. Some employers even provide on-the-job training. Unfortunately, the UPHP does not maintain a list of trainers, as this would take a small full-time staff, but your best bet is to talk to phlebotomists in your area and watch the classifieds and local college curricula for training classes. | |
What are the certification requirements in my state?
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| The certification requirements for phlebotomists vary from state to state, so your best bet is to check with local hospitals and the state board of health. The UPHP does not maintain a state to state list of certification requirements. | |
I just finished my certification. Will you hire me?
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| The UPHP does not directly hire phlebotomists or lab technicians. Hopefully, I will be able to establish a "Help Wanted" section for employers looking to hire phlebotomists. Check back later this year. | |
What kind of salary do phlebotomists make?
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| Phlebotomists' salaries vary dramatically from area to area. Some make barely more than minimum wage, while others make $40k or more. The Drawing Room is currently compiling a database of wages across the country and will hopefully be available soon. | |
Can you send me information about...?
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| At present, I do not have pamphlets, brochures, books, or any other information that I disseminate other than through this web page. | |
Can I get HIV from giving a blood sample?
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| Simply put, no. | |
What about that lab tech in California?
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Well, this is where it gets complicated. The technician in question,
against all common sense, professionalism, universal precautions, and regard
for her patient's health, re-used needles. This happens very,
very rarely, as it is directly against the "code of operations"
used by health care professionals known as "universal precautions."
Universal precautions are a set of rules followed by health care
professionals to prevent the transmission of disease from the patient to
the care giver, from the care giver to the patient, and from one patient
to another patient, and includes such practices as NOT re-using needles,
wearing of protective clothing and gear when exposed to potential bio-hazardous
material, etc.
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