So you’re a phlebotomist fresh out of school and ready to get a job, but employers all seem to want real-world experience. Volunteering for the local Red Cross chapter or blood bank is great, but maybe you’d like to experience a little adventure while you’re getting in your sticks. Or maybe you’re already working full-time in your field but would love a change of pace. In either case, consider an international volunteer position. There are thousands of positions for unskilled volunteers, but medical personnel are particularly in demand. A phlebotomist would be a valuable addition to a clinic in an area with a high concentration of blood-borne pathogens.

How To Get Started

There are a number of organizations that place medical volunteers worldwide where they are needed most. Doctors Without Borders is an excellent place to start, and you can also try International Medical Volunteers Association, Global Volunteer Network, Project Hope, and International Medical Corps. Successful applicants not only have the requisite medical training and a clean bill of health, they also fit a personality profile of a relaxed, confident, and above all flexible person who can adjust to difficult conditions with a smile. Volunteers may also require immunizations and some training specific to the local conditions. Most organizations ask for a commitment of at least two months — International Medical Corps also has an on-call emergency response team of volunteers who may be deployed with 72 hours notice to deal with emergency conditions.

Where in the World?

Most volunteer organizations center their efforts in lesser-developed nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, but there may also be positions available in remote areas of other countries. For example, medical workers are often in high demand in rural areas of the United States; if you would prefer to work in Canada or Europe, a position like this might suit you. Project Hope volunteers live and work on a hospital ship that travels the globe to places where it is most needed.

Volunteer organizations make an effort to place people in their preferred regions, but your first-choice country may not be available. There will be many opportunities during the application process to specify your preferred nation or region and anywhere you absolutely do not want to go.

What To Expect

Wherever you go, your new living and work environments will not be what you are used to at home, but that’s part of the fun of traveling. Most volunteer positions will be in low-income or free clinics in either urban areas or remote villages with no hospital nearby. Some of them may be in areas affected by war or other crises. A volunteer phlebotomist may encounter diseases that don’t exist in the industrial world any more. Patients will suffer from malnutrition, poor sanitation conditions, and parasites. Depending on the area, a clinic may see a high percentage of HIV+ patients.

The clinic setting will be primitive compared to a hospital or laboratory in the United States. Equipment will be dated if it’s available at all, and basic supplies such as gloves, alcohol, and clean needles may be less than plentiful. Also, part of volunteering in a clinic where medical personnel are so limited means being flexible. You may be asked to perform other duties besides drawing blood.

A medical volunteer position in another country is an excellent way to gain valuable experience, travel, learn about a new culture, and make lifelong friends. Most important, it’s a way to earn self-confidence and get to know yourself and your capabilities. It’s not for everyone, but for those who are called, it’s a life changer.

Laboratory testing is an integral component of the health care system and the phlebotomist may be employed in a wide range of health care laboratories. In order to diagnose illnesses and medical ailments, blood and urine samples, for example, must be analyzed thoroughly and carefully. The field of phlebotomy is very important to the lab component of the health care system, as phlebotomists are trained to properly draw blood from patients for analysis. This analysis helps to diagnose medical condition and paves the way for a plan of action to be devised. There are several labs in the health care system. Let’s take a look at the major ones.

One of the most important labs in the health care system is the clinical lab. This is where lab technicians process cultures in order help diagnose different diseases. Generally, small samples of the collected specimen are incubated in order to examine exactly how it is multiplying. Toxicology, microbiology, virology, mycology and bacteriology are all important areas focused on in clinical lab setting. Blood samples are the primary area of focus in chemical labs. This is where blood samples are analyzed using sophisticated technology. This will be an important setting for you if you choose to pursue a career in phlebotomy. The blood bank is where blood donations are matched with patients who are in need. The pathology and histology lab is where biopsies are explored. In this lab setting, a pathologist and histology technician work together to perform important analyses. Finally, the cytology lab is a vitally important lab in the health care system. This is where cytologists examine cells in order to reach a determination as far as whether they are healthy or not. If the cytologist discovers abnormal cells, the pathologist will be referred to for confirmation.

As you can see there are several important labs that have important duties associated with them in the health care system. These labs include the following: The clinical lab, chemistry lab, blood bank, pathology and histology lab and cytology lab. If you have decided to pursue a career in phlebotomy, it is important that you have a general understanding of these important labs. You will gain a better understanding of these labs and their functions during your phlebotomy training process.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in the medical field that boasts extremely strong job prospects even despite the current economic challenges that the nation faces? Do you want to pursue an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career that gives you the opportunity to help others? If you answered yes to both these questions and possess good dexterity and the ability to work well under pressure, you may want to pursue a career in phlebotomy. One of the major benefits you will encounter on your journey to becoming a phlebotomist is that extensive and exhaustive education and training will not be required. You can typically complete your phlebotomy training between one semester and one year. One important course you will be required to take will be centered on the legal and ethical issues that phlebotomists face.

The major legal issue that a career in phlebotomy involves is negligence. In the process of collecting blood, there are a number of potential possibilities for negligence to take place. This includes, but is not limited to, making a mistake in patient identification, using incorrect patient positioning for procedures, using the wrong puncture location, using wrong equipment for blood collection and not adhering to safety protocol. It is absolutely imperative that you are always fully focused on-the-job if you want a successful career in phlebotomy. You will be required to practice extensively in drawing the proper amount of blood and storing it properly if you want to become a phlebotomist. It is in your best interest to secure liability insurance to protect yourself as a phlebotomist.

As far as the ethical issues are concerned for phlebotomists, it is important that treat patients with respect and communicate effectively with them. You should be in good standing with your employer and should strive to do the best job you possibly can. It is important that strictly follow all rules, regulations and guidelines established by your employer. If you believe that certain processes can be improved or are not managed properly, you should speak out about it.

A career in phlebotomy can be highly rewarding and fulfilling and the training process is not that time-consuming. You can expect to take a course that addresses the legal and ethical issues faced by phlebotomists. As long as you do your job carefully, pay attention to details, treat patients with respect and follow all regulations and safety protocol, you will have a successful career in phlebotomy.

Does it sound appealing to have a recession-proof career in the medical field that does not require extensive and exhaustive education and training? You may want to consider pursuing a career in phlebotomy especially if you have sound dexterity and enjoy helping others. You must also have a mentality of wanting to rise to the occasion if you want to work as a phlebotomist because you will be working in high pressure circumstances. You will be responsible for properly drawing blood from patients, analyzing the blood and storing the blood by following proper protocol. If you are seriously considering pursuing a career in phlebotomy, it is important that you are of the health risks that exist.

Phlebotomists are at a very high risk for needlestick injuries because of the number of venipunctures that are performed on-the-job. Needlestick injuries are wounds that result from an accidental puncturing of the skin. Those workers who use hypodermic syringes and other instruments are at an especially high risk for needlestick injuries. What does this possibly mean for you if do go on to become a phlebotomist? Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV must all be considered. Transmission of Hepatitis B can be nearly completely prevented through vaccination. However, transmission of viral Hepatitis C from needlestick injuries is a major potential health risk that all aspiring phlebotomists must be made aware of. You must also be made aware of the small HIV related health risk that exists working as a phlebotomist. There are 51 well-documented cases of HIV infections transmitted patients to health care workers. Out of these 51 cases, 20 were affiliated with phlebotomy. You will learn much more about all the potential health risks that exist when working in phlebotomy when you receive formal training. You will learn to follow strict safety protocol and regulations in order to minimize health risks to you and patients.

If you have chosen to pursue a career in phlebotomy, feel confident knowing that this is a strong field firmly embedded in the medical industry. Phlebotomists play a very important role in diagnosing the health of patients. It is important that you do understand the risk of needlestick injuries that exist when working in phlebotomy. Hepatitis C is an especially major concern in this field. You will learn important safety protocol when you receive formal training that will help minimize any potential threats or dangers working in this field.

If you are working as a phlebotomist, you should already know that it is vitally important to maintain certification and a solid skill set in specimen collection through means of continuing education. You should visit the National Phlebotomy Association website in order to understand specific continuing education requirements of phlebotomists. The National Phlebotomy Association was established in 1978 and is currently the only organization that handles all the aspects of educating and certifying the country’s phlebotomists. Let’s take a closer look at the important factors involved in continuing education for phlebotomists.

According to the National Phlebotomy Association, phlebotomists must meet the current standard of 1.8 Continuing Education Units per year. This is to ensure that phlebotomists can meet and measure up to high standards. According to the National Phlebotomy Association, 1 Continuing Education Unit is equal to ten hours of training time. The National Phlebotomy Association has outlined several activities that can be applied toward the required credits. Certification and recertification classes in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the American Heart Association or Red Cross can be applied toward the required credits. You might be interested in attending a relevant health care seminar or workshop, as attendance to such events can be applied toward the required credit threshold. Do you enjoy teaching? You can teach a phlebotomy training course and apply this to your necessary Continuing Education requirements. You could also complete relevant volunteer work or take further courses in a university or community college. The unifying theme around these activities is that they all help to keep your skills as a phlebotomist strong.

If you are working as a phlebotomist, you must continuously work on both maintaining and developing important skills necessary to do your job effectively. You can do some research and find the full list of activities approved by the National Phlebotomy Association that can be applied to required Continuing Education Units. You can choose those activities that you will likely enjoy and benefit the most from. If you have a passion for teaching, you may opt to teach a phlebotomy training course for some period of time. If you enjoy learning, you could enroll in a relevant university or community college course.

Are you intrigued by the idea of pursuing a career as a phlebotomist? Pursuing this career can be very exciting and rewarding, as job prospects for phlebotomists are especially strong. This career really is recession-proof because it is embedded in the healthcare industry. Hospitals, independent medical labs and blood donors will have a strong demand for phlebotomy techs throughout the next decade. This is largely because of the fact that the population of older people is rapidly expanding and this segment of the population will require extensive medical care and attention. If you are interested in advancing your career beyond phlebotomy, becoming a phlebotomist can open up further exciting career paths. Let’s take a look at all the door that can be opened by obtaining proper phlebotomy training and working as a phlebotomy technician.

Phlebotomy jobs can be a tremendous stepping stone to become a nurse, doctor, practitioner or highly specialized medical technician. Working as a phlebotomist will absolutely sharpen your organizational skills as it pertains to a medical setting. As a result, after phlebotomy certification, many phlebotomists are well suited and do ultimately go on to become medical center or hospital administrators. A skilled phlebotomist can go on to become an instructor or supervisor with the skills he or she has acquired on-the-job. Academia is always a great direction to turn to for those working in the healthcare industry and phlebotomy is no exception. A skilled phlebotomy can gain employment as an instructor for a phlebotomy training course. Working as a teacher to convey information to students about a field you are passionate about can be extremely rewarding.

If you have decided to pursue a career as a phlebotomist, you have made an excellent choice. This field provides tremendous job security because it is an important part of the healthcare industry. Working as a phlebotomy technician can equip you with the skills necessary to thrive in a variety of further occupations, including the following: Nurse, doctor, practitioner, highly specialized medical technician, medical center or hospital administrator and instructor for a phlebotomist training course. All of these are very rewarding career choices that can be opened to you by working as a phlebotomist.

We frequently receive emails from people who are interested in a health care career and simply want to know “What is phlebotomy anyway?” This is a great question and we thought it might be good to take a step back to discuss the career for those who are new to the field and want to know more.

Do you enjoy conducting scientific analyses? Are you able to work well and maintain your composure under pressure situations? If you answered yes to these questions, you may want to consider pursuing a career as a phlebotomist. A phlebotomist has a very important job to do, which is to collect blood samples from patients or blood donors in a clinical environment. After the phlebotomist has collected the blood sample, he or she must analyze it using advanced and sophisticated technology. Due to the fact that phlebotomists are at risk to diseases when handling blood, they are trained in lab safety and must follow strict protocol.

When you ask “What is phlebotomy?” you might also want to know what the major overall duties associated with being a Phlebotomist? If you choose to become a phlebotomist, be prepared to have to complete the following: Explaining procedures to patients, updating patient records, preparing stains and reagents, sterilizing equipment, taking patients’ blood pressure and sending urine samples to lab testing. What skills are necessary in order to carry out these duties effectively? An individual must be a strong communicator and have the capacity to work well under pressure in order to become a Phlebotomist. The individual must also be skilled with their hands, as he or she will be handling sophisticated equipment in a lab setting. Many people are squeamish when it comes to blood and needles. If you happen to be like this, you will not succeed as a phlebotomist. Working as a phlebotomist can be a very rewarding experience, as a phlebotomist is directly promoting the well-being of a patient. Whenever a phlebotomist draws blood or sends samples, there is an addition to the patient’s blood history. This will be an important part of the patient’s health profile and will remain on record for his or her entire life.

If you enjoy conducting scientific analyses, can work well under pressure and work well with your hands, pursuing a career as a phlebotomist can be highly rewarding. You must be prepared for the rigorous training that awaits you as well as an extensive list of duties once you do become a phlebotomist. You will be an integral part of the medical team as a phlebotomist. Hopefully, this brief introduction to the career will help you answer the question of “What is phlebotomy?”

Are you interested and intrigued by the idea of pursuing a career in phlebotomy and want to know how to become a phlebotomist? We live in challenging economic times with high unemployment and must handle a hyper-competitive job market. A career as a phlebotomist would provide substantial job security, as it is a component of the healthcare industry. Furthermore, there will continue to be high demand for phlebotomists in hospitals and independent medical laboratories, for example, because the population of older Americans continues to increase. The large baby boom population will require significant medical care and attention. Do you have what it takes to become a phlebotomist? Let’s take a look at the traits that a quality phlebotomist must possess.

If you want to truly understand how to become a phlebotomist, it is important that you responsible, organized and able to perform well under pressure. A phlebotomist is required to collect blood samples and must ensure that samples are properly labeled and stored. Mix-ups and errors would be very costly and so it is important that you are very organized if you want to pursue a career as a phlebotomist. If you cannot pay attention to details and make even the slightest mistake, a patient’s health record may be jeopardized and his or life can be put in serious danger. In addition, desirable qualities for those who wish to pursue a career as a phlebotomist include great eyesight, good hand-eye coordination and steady hands. Does the sight of blood make you uncomfortable or squeamish? If so, you will not want to pursue a career in this field. Computer and typing skills are highly desired because in some cases, phlebotomists will be expected to complete data entry. Lastly, you must be friendly, approachable and have a strong desire to help others in order to succeed as a phlebotomist.

Not everyone has the desirable traits to pursue a career as a phlebotomist. If you do decide to go ahead with this career field, it is vitally important that you are responsible, organized, able to maintain your composure, friendly, approachable, have good eyesight and steady hands. If you do possess these characteristics, march ahead confidently and find out more about how to become a phlebotomist.

Welcome to the Phlebotomy Training and Career Headquarters fact of the week series. In this video, we discuss the various types of phlebotomy employers.

If you’re serious about beginning a career in phlebotomy in today’s competitive job environment, you will almost certainly want to consider enrolling in an accredited phlebotomy training program. These courses can make you a much more attractive candidate to potential labs and clinics than basing your credentials strictly through on the job training. However, to be a leading candidate for phlebotomy jobs, there are a few “soft skills” that can make you more employable which you won’t find being taught in any phlebotomy certification course.

Be a Team Player

One of the top “soft skills” that can make you an attractive candidate is the ability to work well as a team member of a larger group. Most clinics and labs employee a staff of phlebotomists who work alongside other medical professionals such as physicians and nursing professionals. Having the ability to work well with other members of the staff can go a long way in adding value to an organization.

Effective Communication

As with any job, effective communication skills are key as well. As a practicing phlebotomist, you will be working with patients and other lab personnel on a daily basis. The ability to communicate procedures and results with clarity and the right tone can help you shine as a candidate for phlebotomy jobs.

Ability to Multi-Task

In many clinic and lab settings, employees are required to manage several unique projects at one. And for the phlebotomist, there are various job duties that must be managed simultaneously. By building good multi-tasking skills, your potential value to an employer increases exponentially as you will very likely help to reduce the need for support staff.

Leadership Skills

In the phlebotomy industry, there are numerous opportunities for advancement. There are often multiple supervisory positions within a lab, clinic, or blood bank and there are also opportunities to work as an instructor in various phlebotomy training programs. By working to develop leadership skills early on in your career, you can begin to prepare yourself to assume one of these advanced positions.

Be Fun to Work With

Perhaps the most overlooked “soft skill” which employers seek in a job candidate is the ability to maintain an easy going and light hearted attitude in the work place. While jobs in the health care field demand precise attention to detail and a sharp skill set, it’s also important to be someone who managers and staff members get along with and enjoy having in the workplace.

By honing some of these “soft skills” early in your career, you can prepare to make yourself an attractive candidate for phlebotomy jobs and set yourself up for success.