| Phlebotomists are trained to draw blood for | | | | official certification. Extensive clinical |
| laboratory tests and blood transfusions, and | | | | hours are a requirement in all states, |
| are essential components of the medical | | | | however, as well as the ability to work well |
| profession. A certified phlebotomist, | | | | with all different types of people, in many |
| particularly in a fast paced environment, | | | | different types of stressful and high |
| like the growing San Diego health care job | | | | pressure situations. |
| industry, provides a valuable service, by | | | | |
| reducing the workload of other medical | | | | Phlebotomy has been practiced since the time |
| professionals and allowing client intake to | | | | of the Greeks, when modern medicine was in |
| proceed quickly and more efficiently. | | | | its infancy. In the Middle Ages, phlebotomy |
| Phlebotomists primarily draw blood from | | | | techniques became intermingled with the |
| patients for testing purposes, but can also | | | | practice of bloodletting, or exsanguinations, |
| draw blood from newborn infants, and some, | | | | which at the time was believed to have |
| but not all, are trained to collect arterial | | | | healing and cleansing properties. When the |
| blood samples. | | | | practice of bloodletting was discontinued, it |
| | | | was still necessary to draw blood from |
| Phlebotomists are also authorized to | | | | patients for medical purposes, and phlebotomy |
| administer Saline or a Heparin flush, which | | | | became recognized as a valuable and essential |
| requires additional training and can lead to | | | | skill. |
| a Phlebotomists being hired as a Kidney | | | | |
| Dialysis Technician. Phlebotomist training | | | | Phlebotomy is not only a valuable skill that |
| opens the door for many varied career | | | | can lead to advanced career opportunities, |
| opportunities. Because of the growing | | | | but its a highly sought after skill in many |
| awareness of the importance of this skill, | | | | cities. Phlebotomists are important members |
| most Phlebotomists undergo some type of | | | | of any medical team, and their expertise and |
| formal training, which can include four | | | | efficiency go a long way in making the |
| months in a trade school or a year of | | | | medical care process better for all |
| community college courses. Among other | | | | concerned. When you are searching for a San |
| things, phlebotomist training includes CPR, | | | | Diego healthcare job that will have a direct, |
| anatomy, patient interaction legal issues | | | | positive impact on the lives of thousands of |
| surrounding the collection of blood, | | | | people, requires minimal training, and can |
| Universal and Standard Precautions, and | | | | lead to a more lucrative job down the road, |
| techniques for blood collection. | | | | look no further than a career as a |
| Requirements vary by state, with California | | | | phlebotomist. |
| being the only state so far to require an | | | | |