A Phlebotomy Technician is also known as a Phlebotomist.

They are primarily responsible for collecting and preparing blood samples for laboratory testing. A phlebotomist must also know the different types of tests performed on blood samples, what types of medication or diets can interfere with these tests, and how to prepare samples for testing.

Traditionally, people think of doctors and nurses taking blood samples. While doctors and nurses can, and do, take blood, they have become much too busy to do so on a regular and routine basis; this is where the specialization of Phlebotomy enters the field.

THE ROLE OF A PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN TODAY

A Phlebotomy Technician is trained to draw blood from a patient’s body for testing in clinical or medical purposes. The blood is also used for research, donations and transfusions; they are able to work in clinics, hospitals, blood banks, diagnostic centers and clinical laboratories. Blood analysis plays a very important role as a diagnostic tool for the medical clinicians. Thus, it becomes even more important that blood is collected in the most professional manner. If there is more than one sample to be collected, the tubes for blood collection must be arranged in a strictly specific order. It is the responsibility of the phlebotomist to know the order. They also collect other “Non-Blood” specimen from patients ranging from infants to the Elderly on a fast paced manner, dealing with a high volume of patients.

A Phlebotomy Technician is able to work directly with a Physician, assisting in specimen collection, diagnosis and treatment.