Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists are specialised clinical support workers/assistant
healthcare scientists who collect blood from patients for
examination in laboratories, the results of which, provide valuable
information to diagnosing illness.
Phlebotomists are responsibile for taking blood without
harming the patient or disturbing the nursing care they are
receiving at the time. They also need to ensure the blood is taken
correctly, as if specimens are harmed during collection, test
results may be unobtainable or worthless. Once the blood is taken,
phlebotomists are also responsible for transporting the specimen to
the correct laboratory, as and when, required.
Many phlebotomists work part-time, and others may combine phlebotomy as part of their role as a clinical support worker/ assistant healthcare scientist.
Entry requirements
There are no specific minimum requirements to work in phlebotomy, although a good range of GCSEs would be an advantage.
Training
Training will usually be entirely on the job and will include
learning to take blood from different patient groups, including
children and the elderly.
The aim of this programme is to provide the necessary theoretical
and practical knowledge in phlebotomy. As a student you will
undertake various objectives such as:
- the role of phlebotomy within the pathology department
- the importance of professional standards and codes of practice
- the methods of blood collection
- the aspects of blood taking and the requirements for different sample tubes and labelling protocols
- anatomical and physiological considerations in choosing appropriate sites for venepuncture
- the health and safety aspects of phlebotomy
After training, you may be awarded a certificate of competence, which will allow you to work without close supervision throughout the hospital. The certificate will also be beneficial if you want to work in another hospital.
As a result of Modernising Scientific Careers, training for healthcare science assistants and healthcare science associates may change in the future.
Job vacancies
Most NHS trusts advertise vacancies on the NHS Jobs website, for trainee positions, as well as for qualified phlebotomists. Vacancies are also advertised in the local press and job centres. Additionally, you can contact the human resources department officer or head biomedical scientist at a hospital where you would like to work.
As training is usually undertaken whilst you are working, you should aim to secure a post before seeking training in phlebotomy.
Further information
For further general information about the work of phlebotomists,
please contact:
*National Association of Phlebotomists
12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL
Tel: 0207 833 8784
Fax: 0208 363 7738
Email: phlebotomy@btinternet.com
Website: www.phlebotomy.org
*Institute of Biomedical Science
12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL
Tel: 020 7713 0214
Fax: 020 7436 4946
Email: mail@ibms.org
Website: www.ibms.org
(*NB Neither the National Association of Phlebotomists, nor the
Institute of Biomedical Science, train phlebotomists and
therefore cannot provide details of initial phlebotomy courses)