Phlebotomist

Daniel Breysse – Phlebotomist (now a student of osteopathic medicine at PNWU, Yakima)

• Complete High School (four years)
• Complete an Accredited Phlebotomy Program (eight weeks to a year)
• Pursue Professional Phlebotomy Certification (timelines vary)
• Maintain Certification (annually)

Phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Phlebotomists are responsible for efficiently and accurately performing blood draws and transfusions on blood donors and patients, depending on their specific facility. Some of their typical daily duties include the following:

• Preparing patients before drawing blood
• Explaining blood draw procedures to patients and answering any questions about the process
• Following all health and safety protocols and procedures to maintain sanitary work areas
• Gathering medical testing materials, including needles, sample vials, blood storage bags, and test tubes
• Verifying patient information and labeling blood samples properly
• Accurately updating patient information in the organization’s database
• Helping nervous or frightened patients remain calm during blood draws
• Working with supervising Physicians and following their directions at all times.

Healthcare Team:

Phlebotomy is a procedure that is often performed in clinical care settings. However ubiquitous the procedure may be, proper planning and execution are critical in drawing blood from the patient for its intended purpose. Whether it is for diagnosis or therapy, healthcare providers must work together to enhance patient outcomes.

Healthcare providers must be knowledgeable about the patient’s medical history and any preexisting conditions. Any healthcare provider speaking with the patient, whether the nurse or the physician, should inform the patient of a blood draw occurring, explain its reasons, and answer any questions they may have to ease the patient into an often uncomfortable and frightening experience. Pharmacists should be consulted if the patient is on any blood thinners or other medications that might cause unwanted complications. For complex cases with difficult access points to veins, a certified phlebotomist should be consulted.

There is also evidence that using specialist teams from multiple disciplines, including ophthalmology, nursing, social work, and rehabilitation specialists, can benefit adults by improving their ability to perform activities of daily living in adults diagnosed with low vision. Interprofessional teams and support systems can improve the quality of life of patients found to have low vision with ongoing intervention and adjustment.