Overview

Phlebotomy program at the Medical Training Institute of New York prepares students to collect blood for laboratory analysis. Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. The Phlebotomy program is designed to teach the knowledge in technical and procedural aspects of basic phlebotomy, including collection of blood specimens and venipuncture required to become a Phlebotomy. The Phlebotomy program includes theory and hands-on instruction.

The program will teach students the concepts of Introduction to Phlebotomy & Infection Control, Legal Issues in Healthcare, Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology, Phlebotomy Equipment & Supplies, Phlebotomy Procedures, and Phlebotomy Fundamental Essentials. This program is designed for leaner’s who want to advance their career or are interested in starting a career in the medical field to become a Phlebotomy. This is a comprehensive 80-hour program.

This course prepares students to collect blood for laboratory analysis. Students learn medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, infection control safety, and communication and professionalism. Phlebotomy provides opportunities for students to perform routine vein punctures, routine capillary punctures, and special collection procedures. Phlebotomys also perform glucose testing and specimen collection. A phlebotomist is a health care professional who has been specially trained to draw blood. The blood is used to test for conditions based on a physician’s orders, although it can also be used for a transfusion, for research, or a donation. Some common duties of phlebotomists include:

• Greeting blood draw patients and explaining the process to them
• Ensuring patients’ intake paperwork is correct and complete and that their identity is clear
• Calming patients if they are nervous
• For pediatric patients, preparing distractions, special toys, and smaller needles
• In the case of geriatric patients, making sure all conditions are noted and necessary precautions have been undertaken
• Sterilizing and organizing all equipment according to procedures and protocols
• Conducting the blood draw
• Following all special instructions on patients’ order forms
• Labeling and properly storing the sample
• Properly disposing of used needles and bandages
• Making sure the patient has no adverse reactions
• Inventorying equipment
• Sterilizing and cleaning the area for the next patient

What Phlebotomists Do

Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. Some of them explain their work to patients and provide assistance if patients have adverse reactions after their blood is drawn. Phlebotomists typically do the following:

• Draw blood from patients and blood donors
• Talk with patients and donors to help them feel less nervous about having their blood drawn
• Verify a patient’s or donor’s identity to ensure proper labeling of the blood
• Label the drawn blood for testing or processing
• Enter patient information into a database
• Assemble and maintain medical instruments such as needles, test tubes, and blood vials
• Keep work areas clean and sanitary

Phlebotomists primarily draw blood, which is then used for different kinds of medical laboratory testing. In medical and diagnostic laboratories, patient interaction is sometimes only with the phlebotomist. Because all blood samples look the same, phlebotomists must carefully identify and label the sample they have drawn and enter it into a database. Some phlebotomists draw blood for other purposes, such as at blood drives where people donate blood. In order to avoid causing infection or other complications, phlebotomists must keep their work area and instruments clean and sanitary.