Phlebotomy Training and Career Guide Phlebotomy Training Resources and Guides for becoming Certified as a Phlebotomist!
Phlebotomy Certification in Oklahoma:
Known for rich natural gas and oil resources, Oklahoma is more than wide open spaces
where the buffalo roam. This culturally significant state is also a major producer of
agricultural products, and boasts telecommunications, biotech, and aviation industries.
The landscape spans from prairies to forests and small mountain rangers; offering a
great selection of outdoor activities to be enjoyed by residents and tourists alike.
Tulsa and Oklahoma City are the two major cities within the state, and serve as home to
more than two thirds of the state’s residents. In general, the cost of living in Oklahoma is
low compared to other parts of the country. There are more than 3,878,000 residents
calling the State of Oklahoma home.
As a certified phlebotomist you could expect to see an average salary of $27,000. This
salary could be impacted by a number of factors, including location, experience, and
type of medical facility.
Understanding the Role of the Phlebotomist Technician:
As a phlebotomist, you’ll recognize that your role encompasses much more than simply
drawing blood through a needle stick. You will have a varied number of duties
throughout the course of any given day, and of course you will have a range of patient
types that you’ll work with.
Certainly you will need to be able to collect the specimens ordered by the physician, but
putting your patients at ease is perhaps the most important aspect of your role. Blood
draws can be quite unsettling for some, so it is vital that you have the ability to comfort
your patients and move swiftly to get the process over before the patient feels too much
discomfort.
Other aspects of your role could include the following.
Inventory and maintaining supplies
Organization of your workspace
Data entry and clerical work
Processing specimens for the lab
Organizing transportation of specimens to the lab
Discuss the process with patients so that they are less nervous.
As a certified phlebotomist you’ll find yourself working in a range of medical
environments, including: hospitals, clinics, blood donation facilities, diagnostic
laboratories, private practices, nursing homes, and even on university campuses.
Pursuing your Phlebotomy Certification, and Furthering Education:
The best means of pursuing your phlebotomy certification is to look for the right school
to take a training course at. There are a number of great options for you to use to
pursue your phlebotomy certification, but it’s important to note that not all educational
organizations are created equally. The most vital thing that you need to verify is whether
the school is accredited. Not only will this ensure you of a quality education, but it will go
a long way toward helping you with the continuation of your education.
Many colleges have fairly firm requirements that students need to first meet before
starting class. It’s generally a good idea to check into all of the prerequisites prior to
enrollment, so that there is no delay in kick-starting off your education.
Some of these prerequisites could include the following:
- Students should be 18 years of age. There may be some exceptions, but you
may not be able to complete hands-on training or sit the exam itself until you are
18 years old.
- Students should have graduated from high school. A GED or other equivalency
document, typically used for foreign students, will also serve as evidence that
you are qualified to start phlebotomy training.
- Having proof of vaccinations is generally requested; as you will be working with
patients and real blood specimens, it’s important that you also pass a TB test and
have the right hepatitis vaccinations completed.
- Medical insurance is another must-have for the phlebotomy student.
- More than medical coverage, phlebotomy students are also often required to hold
valid malpractice insurance prior to working with patients. This is not very costly,
but should still be budgeted.
While some organizations do offer financial assistances and loan programs for students,
not all do. This is important to look into prior to getting yourself in over your head in
student loans. As a general rule of thumb, phlebotomy training courses are affordable;
making them a great choice to kick off your career in the medical field.
Many start their careers as phlebotomists and, while earning a steady paycheck, go on
to pursue additional certifications and training in the medical field. You could become a
medical assistant, a nurse, an x-ray technician, and more. Phlebotomy is a terrific
introduction to the field of medicine.
Where the Phlebotomist Works:
You know that as a phlebotomist you’ll find yourself working in one medical setting or
another, but what you might not know is just how in demand this medical role is. You
could find yourself working in a wide range of facilities, including the following.
Emergency rooms: making emergency rooms have dedicated phlebotomists in
order to get patients processed swiftly
General hospital: you may find yourself working in several departments in the
hospital, moving from floor to floor as you are needed
Nursery and NICU: the hospital’s smallest patients will be in need of a gentle
touch for blood draws. You may need to do heel sticks and other difficult blood
draws on infants
Blood donation centers: whether working for a non-profit or an outreach clinic,
this can be a busy place to work
Nursing homes: this can often result in some difficult blood draws on hard-to-see
veins
Home health care: driving to patient’s homes for blood draws can be a great way
to help those who are housebound or seriously ill
No matter where you find yourself working, you’ll find that your calm and professional
demeanor will serve you well as you work with your patients.
Phlebotomy Certification Colleges in Oklahoma:
Great Plains Technology Center:
Great Plains Technology Center offers a course that runs for 84 hours, and includes
both the classroom portion and the hands-on rotation. This educational facility does
have several prerequisites that students should be aware of prior to enrolling.
http://www.greatplains.edu/adult/career-education-plans/
Platt College:
Platt College offers a combined medical assistant-phlebotomist training course. Located
in Oklahoma City, this program is 44 credit hours and can be completed in less than a
year.
http://www.plattcolleges.edu/content/medical-assistant-phlebotomy
Rose State College:
Rose State College runs a two semester phlebotomy training program that only accepts
a maximum of 15 students per semester, so be sure to get your applications in soon to
secure your spot.
http://www.rose.edu/phlebotomy
More Phlebotomy Schools in Oklahoma:
Feel free to check out our free directory of colleges and vocational schools that currently offer
Phlebotomy certification programs.
Fortis College-Montgomery
Alaska Career College
Phoenix College
Coconino Community College
Pima Community College
Brookline College-Phoenix
University of Alaska Anchorage
Brookline College-Tempe
Brookline College-Tucson
