As you considering a career as a phlebotomist, you will naturally be thinking about the job opportunities that could be waiting for you once you are qualified. This is the correct point to focus on, as you need to have a goal when you set out to follow your vocation. In order to understand what types of jobs may be open to you it is important to compare your training and qualifications, together with your work experience, to identify the realistic goals that you can hope to achieve.
The two initial routes open to phlebotomist students
The first route is particularly suitable for a phlebotomist candidate who has recently complete high school studies. You will need to be able to show that you have passed your High School Diploma or an equivalent qualification. Next you will need to successfully complete an approved phlebotomy program that will earn you 80 hours of credits and include an externship. As part of the material you need to produce you must be able to demonstrate evidence of having completed ten capillary collections and fifty successful venipunctures.
The second route combines study with work experience. Once again you need to demonstrate that you have qualified with your high school diploma or a suitable equivalent certification. At the same time you should be able to give qualified evidence of having worked for a year as a phlebotomist, together with written confirmation of the satisfaction of your employers.
Becoming a Phlebotomy instructor
You may feel that your natural skill is not only to be a very competent phlebotomist, but that you have a natural talent to be a phlebotomy instructor. It is important to discuss this belief with your team leader to conform that the team leader is of the same opinion as yourself. If, after discussion you feel this is the right course for you to take you need to understand what the minimum requirements are.
First of all you need to be able to demonstrate that you are a currently certified and practicing phlebotomy technician. Next you need to be able to show that you have a minimum of 3 years experience as a phlebotomist in a recognized hospital, blood analysis laboratory or clinic. The last but not the least important evidence that you need to show, is that you have completed a minimum of a year as a trainee instructor, following an approved course.
A career option as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)
You might want to consider this as a form of stepping stone career move, but one that will work well for you as you climb the phlebotomist career ladder. A certified medical laboratory assistant has an important role to play and is a vital part of the team performing routine but essential tasks. As a CMLA you fulfill the role of a multi talented and skilled laboratory worker assisting your medical team by performing in depth routine laboratory testing of blood and other bodily fluids as well as taking on other lab tasks that may be assigned to you by the physicians.
As your skills develop, you will be able to work with more autonomy. You will be responsible for carrying out regular routine phlebotomy activities, processing specimens and looking after quality control by calibrating the instruments that you will be using.
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