Important Duties and Responsibilities of a Phlebotomist

For most people, phlebotomists are trained only to draw blood from the patients. Although this is the most important duty of a phlebotomist, they have a wide range of other duties to perform every day. Generally, it is not required, but it is preferred that you complete phlebotomy technician certification program and acquire professional skills to have a successful career. 

As a phlebotomist, you’ll work with a variety of people from children to elderly people. Some of the patients will be easy to deal with, while for others you need to have some patience.  Here are some of the duties a phlebotomist has to perform on a daily basis.

Preparation and maintenance of equipment - Before a phlebotomist begins the process of collecting samples, they need to make sure all the equipment and environment is sterile. While for the most obvious reason, the phlebotomist biggest concern is needle which is used to pull out the blood. The phlebotomist uses a number of supplies which include bandages, gauze, tubing and collection instruments, and the phlebotomists must ensure that these supplies are prepared and maintained before using. 

Also, security supplies such as blood tubes labels must be available. And, once the sample collection procedure is over, the phlebotomist has to properly dispose all the sharps or clean the items that got contaminated with fluid.

Collecting fluid specimen - As per the direction by a physician or other medical professional, the phlebotomist should collect blood samples and other fluids from patients. The phlebotomist should be well-trained to correctly puncture the patient’s skin to collect tissue or blood samples. 

Once the phlebotomist finishes collecting the sample, they are responsible for accurately labeling the sample tubes with necessary patient information for easy identification. They are also responsible for the completion and submission of documentation that will help the physician during final analysis and diagnosis. 

Patient care - Since the phlebotomist will work with a wide range of patients, especially for children or even elder, the process of drawing blood can be uncomfortable as well as scary. Some patients may even have a fear of needles, which may further make the phlebotomist’s job difficult. In order to reduce patient anxiety, the phlebotomist must reassure patient that their health is in the safe hands and they should be able clear the patients’ doubt. Before beginning sample collection, the phlebotomist must cross-check the patient’s identity to ensure that the right patient is receiving the treatment.

And, during the blood draw, the phlebotomist needs to monitor the patient’s health to ensure they don’t faint or feel weak during the process. 

While the duties of the phlebotomist may vary depending on the place where they are employed, the primary tasks include collecting, labelling and submitting the samples. If you’re searching for the best institute that offer phlebotomy technician program in New York, contact Cambridge Business Institute