Exact Answer: About 1 Year
Phlebotomists are always on the go. Phlebotomists are the people behind drawing blood at hospitals and clinics.
Summary
They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to draw blood from patients for diagnostic purposes or to collect donated blood for transfusions.
Although it is not a glamorous job, phlebotomists play an important role in healthcare.
They help diagnose illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and more common conditions that affect millions of Americans every year. Phlebotomists work with patients experiencing anxiety or fear about having their blood drawn, and they work in rotating shifts.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Phlebotomist?
Type | Duration |
Phlebotomist | 1 year |
Clinical training | 100 hours |
To become a phlebotomist in North America, one must complete an apprenticeship and be awarded certification by various associations. It has been known to take anywhere from 4 months to over 1 year.
There is a high turnover rate in this profession because of difficulties learning basic skills such as blood pressure correctly and inserting needles for intravenous therapy.
It is always important that one work independently within the community or institution before becoming certified. The employer/ boss/ school instructor doesn’t need to teach how things work when people don’t have the time and patience anymore.
Blood is drawn by inserting a needle into a vein through which the blood flows out of the body. The process takes about five minutes, after which time it’s simply a matter of removing the needle and applying pressure to stop any bleeding.
Phlebotomists work rotating shifts that last eight hours per day, with one hour off during that shift. Still, there may vary depending on how many phlebotomist positions are available at a particular facility.
The introduction of new technology has helped to make this process less invasive for both the patient and phlebotomist. It uses direct venipuncture instead of needles on some occasions.
Overall, most people will need to spend between 1 and 2 years in a formal education program.
Becoming a phlebotomy technician takes less time and hard work- Candidates can enroll at community colleges or secondary schools offering certificates of completion through accredited vocational training programs.
Why Would Becoming A Phlebotomist Take So Long?
A phlebotomist is a professional who draws and collects blood (phlebotomy) for testing or transfusion. They make up one specialized group of medical technicians. The work they do assist the laboratory staff in gathering diagnostic samples and preparing patients for treatment of illness or disease-related procedures
A high school diploma is a minimum requirement to qualify for this profession. Bachelor’s degree courses in science may be required if presented by an accredited college or university recognized by the Council of Occupational Education to take the National Phlebotomy Certification Examination.
A typical Phlebotomist works about 36 hours per week. However, salary can vary based on employment status (full-time hourly versus part-time hourly), location (urban versus suburb), and years of experience. Base salary can also increase through overtime pay or bonuses.
Becoming a phlebotomist is an intense but rewarding career. It will reward those who complete the training and work towards certification with emotional and financial stability because of their hard work.
It’s important to remember that becoming a phlebotomist takes time and has steps. The process generally consists of: completing high school (which includes getting a diploma or GED), passing the required tests and obtaining an associate’s degree from community college, finding an employer who hires for this position,
The process of becoming certified as a phlebotomist varies by state, but most require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency. Certification requires passing two tests accepted by the National Center and one year of experience working in the field.
Conclusion
Although national certification is not mandatory, it will be really helpful to get employment as a phlebotomist. Also, it is only required in a few states and not all.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has revealed that employment for a Phlebotomist should increase by 25 percent between 2016 and 2026. The usual requirements include 40 hours of classroom and 100 hours of clinical training.
The training program also includes hands-on clinical experience drawing blood and interacting with patients. Overall, it is a challenging career in the science field but takes the least time to complete. It is advantageous to students who want to earn quickly.
References
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