Succeeding in Your Phlebotomy Technician Course: Tips for Students
Do you aspire to work in the medical field but don’t want to spend years in school? If that’s the case, becoming a phlebotomy technician could be an ideal career path. Enjoy your work with a rewarding career as a phlebotomy technician.
If you’re considering enrolling in a phlebotomy training course, you’ll want to set yourself up for success. By having a better understanding of what the job of a phlebotomy technician entails and what to expect from a phlebotomy course, you can enroll with confidence.
What Does a Phlebotomy Technician Do?
A phlebotomy technician is a specialized healthcare worker responsible for drawing blood from patients or donors. These venipuncture samples may be needed to run critical diagnostic tests, conduct medical research, or donate blood.
In addition to the technical skills needed to work as a phlebotomy technician, these professionals must also possess strong interpersonal communication skills. Patients having blood drawn are often nervous, suffering from light-headedness, or even fainting during a blood draw. A great phlebotomy technician can calm a patient’s nerves and provide any care needed in addition to safely collecting, labeling, and processing specimens.
What Will You Learn in a Phlebotomy Training Course?
A phlebotomy training course will provide you with the formal education, training, and hands-on experience to perform the duties of a phlebotomist with confidence and precision. While no two phlebotomist training courses will be identical, a quality course should educate students on how to interact with patients and donors, safely collect blood samples, ensure accurate labeling of samples, and record patient information. During a phlebotomist training course, students will also learn crucial steps in prepping and preparing a body that phlebotomists will be expected to understand and use on the job.
While certification is not required in all states to work as a phlebotomist (some phlebotomists learn on the job with just a high school diploma), formal education and certification can give you a competitive advantage in the job market.
Tips for Succeeding in a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate Course
Interested in completing a phlebotomy training course to kickstart your career? Consider these tips to help you get the most out of your education.
Understand the Course Requirements
Start by understanding the exact requirements set forth by your phlebotomy technician certificate course. How many credit hours will you need to complete? Will you need to take a state certification exam upon completion of your course (this varies from state to state)? Knowing what’s expected of you in advance will help you prepare and avoid surprises when you begin your course.
Be Organized
Organization is critical to success in any academic program—but this is especially true with a phlebotomy technician course. You’ll be learning a lot of new concepts in a very short period, so keeping your course materials organized and easily accessible will help you stay on track.
Develop Effective Study Habits
From blood specimen collection practices to standard precautions and anatomy concepts, you’ll be covering an array of topics in your phlebotomy training course. Developing effective and consistent study habits is key to mastering these concepts. Be sure to schedule time into your week to dedicate to your schoolwork and find ways of studying that work for you, such as joining a class study group to hold yourself accountable.
Utilize Available Resources
Your school likely offers resources for students to help them stay on track and maximize their chances of success. Familiarize yourself with these resources and take advantage of them. For example, your campus may offer peer tutoring, career services, and even IT support to help you during your course and as you near completion.
Be Aware of Industry News and Trends
The field of phlebotomy is dynamic, with new innovations and trends emerging regularly. Staying on top of new trends will help you stay informed, so make sure you’re subscribing to reputable industry newsletters and other reliable sources of information. The Center for Phlebotomy Education[1] is an excellent resource for students and practicing phlebotomists who want to stay on top of news, products, safety innovations, and best practices.
Practice Hands-On Skills
Working as a phlebotomist means drawing blood from real patients and donors, which can be daunting without the proper training. In a phlebotomy training course, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for hands-on practice so you enter the field more confidently. This includes practicing on dummies in the classroom and practicing blood draws on other students in a safe and controlled environment.
Stay Engaged and Participate
Whether you’re attending phlebotomy classes online or in person, you can only expect to succeed if you’re actively engaged and participating. Make the most of each class session by asking questions when concepts aren’t clear and following up with your instructors if you need additional clarification.
Prepare for Required Certifications
In some states[2], phlebotomists must pass a certification exam before they can begin working in the field. Take the time to research the state where you plan to practice and make sure you’re prepared for any required certification exams. Some examples of states that require certification include:
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- California
- Washington
Maintain a Professional Attitude
Even though you may not be working in the field just yet, it’s important to act the part—even in a classroom setting. When you’re eventually working with patients, there will be little tolerance for a lack of professionalism.
Seek Continuing Education Opportunities
Even after you’ve completed your course, the best and most motivated phlebotomists are those who never stop learning. Throughout your career, take advantage of continuing education opportunities in your field to learn about new innovations, techniques, and tools. This will also give you a competitive advantage in the job market, so it’s a win-win.
Launch Your Career in Healthcare at Carrington College
The right training course can make all the difference in your future career success as a phlebotomist. At Carrington College, we offer a dedicated phlebotomy technician course that provides the real-world skills and hands-on learning students need to excel in this rewarding career.* Meanwhile, our phlebotomy course can be completed in as little as three months, with learning options available at two of our campuses.
Reach out to learn more about Carrington College’s phlebotomy course, including course availability, costs, and financial aid opportunities.**
Visit carrington.edu/admissions/student-consumer-information/ for important information on course outcomes.
*Carrington College prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the course.
**Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
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