Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood from patients and taking the blood specimens to the laboratory to prepare for testing.
As a phlebotomy technician you are an important member of the clinical laboratory team. New diagnostic techniques, clinical laboratory technology and automated instruments have greatly increased the volume of – and demand for – medical laboratory testing.
In just six months you can earn your Phlebotomy Technician certificate and be working in the medical field as a phlebotomist. Phlebotomy is often an excellent stepping-stone to other careers in health care such as medical assisting.
During your course, you will be shown how to draw blood, known as a “stick.” You will practice your sticking skills in the classroom on faculty, staff and fellow students so you are prepared and confident before you begin your externship.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 25 percent through 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers and other locations will need phlebotomists to perform bloodwork.*