Becoming a phlebotomist should not be that complicated. Most people abandon their healthcare dream because of their lack of expertise or medical knowledge.
If you want to learn how to become a phlebotomist in the UK and are looking for a healthcare job in Swindon, this short guide is for you. We’ll be covering 3 easy and simple steps to get you started in healthcare quickly.
Blood draw collection by a phlebotomist in a Swindon clinic
What Does A Phlebotomist Do?
The word Phlebotomist is derived from two Greek words, ‘phlebos’ and ‘tomia’. Phlebos means vein, and tomia means incision. Together, it means ‘one who makes an incision in the vein’. That’s exactly what a phlebotomist does. As a phlebotomist, you’ll be using a hypodermic needle to insert into the vein of a patient to collect blood for testing.
Your primary duties as a phlebotomist are as follows:
- Talk with patients and make them feel at ease.
- Draw blood. This is the main part of your job, where you’ll identify suitable veins and extract blood using specialised equipment.
- Preparing blood samples. After blood is collected, you’ll have to accurately label the vials and send them off to the lab for further diagnosis.
- Keeping the environment clean. You’ll have to dispose of the used needles safely and make sure all the equipment and work space is clear. An unclean environment leads to infection.
3 Simple Steps To Become A Phlebotomist
The three simple steps to becoming a phlebotomist are earning the right qualifications, gaining some work experience, and continuing with training and development.
Earn The Right Qualifications
The first simple step is obtaining accredited phlebotomy certifications in the UK. There are many unaccredited training courses that do not meet proper safety guidelines. If you’re looking for a certified phlebotomy training in Swindon, join our introductory Phlebotomy Training in Swindon.
It’s a 1-day face-to-face training where you’ll learn expert venipuncture techniques from trainers. Furthermore. It’s accredited by the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and meets the National Occupational Standard.
Gain Vital Experience
After getting your qualification, gain some volunteering experience at a local clinic or healthcare facility. It will help you decide whether you truly want to pursue this career or not.
Continuous Training And Development
Healthcare professionals, in general, are supposed to keep up with the latest training in order to keep up with changing healthcare practices and policies.
As a phlebotomist, your employer will most likely look for a Certificate of Competency as well. It’s proof that you are now competent in performing blood draws.
If you have completed the 1-day training mentioned above, you should also complete the 3-day Advanced Phlebotomy Competency Training in Swindon. The best part about this in-depth practical training is that you’ll get an extra Certificate of Competency and a Recommendation Letter as well.
Once you’ve obtained relevant qualifications, you can now apply for phlebotomist jobs through NHS jobs online and elsewhere.
Final Words
To recap, you need to follow three simple steps to become a phlebotomist in Swindon. First, complete your required training, then gain some volunteering experience and finally, undergo continuous training and development.
Since phlebotomy is an entry-level role in healthcare, there are plenty of opportunities to go into other higher positions, provided that you undergo continuous training in your career.
