Phlebotomist Internship: Requirements and Career Path
A career as a Phlebotomy Technician is a rewarding path for someone who desires to work directly with patients. Each year, thousands of aspirants for the medical career undergo training to become a Phlebotomist as part of phlebotomy internships. You may want to start and be one of these career-oriented people and of course - you know that you cannot just land into the job without passing through the thorny path of schooling. You cannot practice as a Phlebotomist when you have not undertaken training in the form of phlebotomy internships.
The phlebotomist (PBT) is often the first contact a patient has with the clinical laboratory and phlebotomists must use care and skill to obtain blood specimens from patients for analysis in the clinical laboratory. Phlebotomists also recognize conditions that might alter collections, have a high regard for patient safety, and communicate with the laboratory to ensure the best possible care. They must also understand lab test requirements and maintain specimen quality.
Essential Steps to Becoming a Phlebotomist
Phlebotomy Training Programs
The first requirement for completing a phlebotomist internship is to undergo specialized training in phlebotomy. Many vocational schools, community colleges, and healthcare facilities offer phlebotomy training programs that typically last between 3 to 6 months. MultiCare, for example, offers a 6-8 week Certified Phlebotomy Training Program, a paid, benefits-eligible opportunity.
Curriculum Overview
While completing your course curriculum, you will undertake lessons on specimen collection, handling specimens, maintaining patient record and data and also communication skills. The initial part of the training can be considered to be more theoretical in nature where you will study phlebotomy technology. You learn how the venipuncture procedure goes down.
Hands-On Experience
Completing a phlebotomist internship requires hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare setting. Once you have finished your course, you have to apply what you have learned into actual practice. Some consider this part of the program to be a kind of on-the-job training, which is what it actually is. Your school or training centers have affiliations or connections with different hospitals, clinics of health care organizations.
Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships
There are times when the initiative to get the interns emanate from the health care institutions. Your school will make arrangements; you have to accomplish and complete your phlebotomy internships application. Interns work under the supervision of experienced phlebotomists, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to gain practical skills in drawing blood, interacting with patients, and handling blood samples.
Internship Opportunities
Many hospitals, clinics, laboratories and other health care facilities offer this internship training, the duration is dependent upon the health institution. In many cases, it can last for four weeks. MultiCare trainees, upon completion of their program, will be hired at one of their lab locations in the Puget Sound region (Puyallup, Tacoma, Olympia, Auburn, Covington, Gig Harbor) or the Inland Northwest region (Spokane and Spokane Valley).
What to Expect During Your Internship
The internship is actually putting the theoretical to the actual where what you learned sitting down in the classrooms will be applied live to patients. So - this is now the real world experiences but you do not have to be afraid of committing errors, you will be under supervision. You may be assigned to work in shifts - just like any normal job in a hospital setting. The internships are not paid so you should not expect any remuneration for your services.
On the whole, your phlebotomy internships will provide you with the tools for employment. You will gain experiences and knowledge as well as confidence in the following tasks - creating incision on a body part, inserting the needle and drawing blood, storing the sample and bringing the specimen to the laboratory. Well, after you have learned all of these theories now it is time for the actual execution of what you learned from books and lectures.
Certification Exams
Passing a certification exam is another requirement for completing a phlebotomist internship in the United States. Various organizations offer certification exams for aspiring phlebotomists, including the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide
Essential Skills
Phlebotomists must possess a number of physical and interpersonal skills in order to perform their job safely. All students will be required to verify their ability to complete these tasks on the first day of class by completion of the “Essential Skills of the Phlebotomist” form that can be found on the RVCC Phlebotomy webpage. These skills include, but are not limited to, fine motor skills, some mobility, operating mechanical and computerized equipment and performing clerical duties.
Program Specifics
Applicants for the Phlebotomy Program must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the College and meet the technical and physical standards that are expected of phlebotomists in the workforce. Students entering the Phlebotomy Internship must be at least 18 years old. Students enrolled in PHBC 190R must make personal and professional accommodations in order to attend this full-time, three week internship. Each student will be instructed in specific requirements for their placements during PHBC 110R.
Additional Program Requirements
The phlebotomy program has several additional requirements, beyond the education and training within the program. These requirements are similar for all healthcare programs in Washington State. These requirements are established by the Department of Health or our clinical partners. These requirements must be met PRIOR to participating in the clinical internships. You need to provide an official copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.
Phlebotomy in Washington State
In Washington State, phlebotomists are certified as “Medical Assistant - Phlebotomist” based on RCW 18.360 and WAC 246-827. This credential is NOT the same as “Medical Assistant - Certified”. The Spokane Colleges phlebotomy program is typically offered in fall and spring quarters, with the potential for additional schedules based on community needs. The program is an intensive 8-week, hybrid program providing students with the fundamental skills for entry-level work in the phlebotomy profession. Over the course of 8 weeks, students will complete online course work, in person lab practice, and in person clinical placements at facilities around Spokane County.
Due to the rigorous and intensive nature of the program, attendance for all components must be maintained at 100%. All students are required to meet with Mary prior to registration.
Read also: Internship Opportunities
The Path to Certification
The culmination of your phlebotomist internship is not the end of the road. You will have to take your examination in order to get your certificate. Successful completion of both PHBC 110R and PHBC 190R with grades of C or better in each courses are required in order to obtain the Phlebotomy Certification.
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