A phlebotomist is a health care professional who has been trained to draw blood. Although the most common jobs for phlebotomists entail drawing blood for various diagnostic tests ordered by doctors, they also draw blood needed for job required and court ordered drug tests, and can assist in obtaining blood donations. With some experience and further training, phlebotomists can also advance to become administrators or supervisors of laboratories or blood banks, pediatric or infant phlebotomy specialists, or provide mobile blood services for the elderly or those with chronic illnesses. If this career sounds like something that would interest you, read on to learn how to become a phlebotomist.http://www.gurnick.edu/articles/what-phlebotomists-do

In order to become a phlebotomist, you'll need to have a high school diploma or GED, get specialized training as a phlebotomist , and take a test to become certified. Although salary can vary highly depending on where and for whom you work, phlebotomists employed in the United States can expect to earn between $24,000 and $35,000 a year.http://www.howtobecomeaphlebotomist.com/

Phlebotomy originated with the ancient Egyptians. The word originally was used to describe the practice of making an incision into a vein for removing blood for therapeutic purposes. Leeches were often use in this bloodletting process.http://books.google.com/books?id=cK-x-DFNg90C&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=Phlebotomy+egypt&source=bl&ots=zpn72J4XP_&sig=nSDLpASkz4VxMOnE8uOjK6t4YSY&hl=en&ei=3ACETN67G8KB8ga9ma2sAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Phlebotomy%20egypt&f=false Bloodletting as a medical treatment has since fallen out of favor, and modern phlebtomists are responsible for collecting blood for laboratory analysis. In addition to drawing blood, phlebotomists may also be responsible for:

1. Properly identifying the patient and correctly labeling the sample
2. Determining which collection method is best for each test
3. Professionally interacting and communicating clearly with patients and other health professionals
4. Using various computer systems to perform record keeping, billing, and to process insurance information
5. Being aware of and ensuring the implementation of safety and quality control procedures.
6. Understanding medical and laboratory terminology
7. Performing wound care after drawing blood
8. Sterilizing equipment
9. Performing blood pressure and pulse rate testshttp://www.top-colleges.com/blog/2009/08/12/phlebotomy-certification-become-a-phlebotomist/ http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/faqs/phlebotomy.php

In order to pursue a career as a phlebotomist, your first step should be to graduate from high school. If you did not graduate from high school, take the steps necessary in order to obtain your GED. A high school diploma is required by colleges, universities and vocational schools that offer phlebotomy training, which will be your next step toward becoming certified.http://www.howtobecomeaphlebotomist.com/

While you are in high school, or working toward your GED, consider taking courses in which you will learn about concepts related to phlebotomy, such as:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Anatomy
4. Physiologyhttp://education-portal.com/articles/Phlebotomy:_Summary_of_How_to_Become_a_Phlebotomist.html

Your next step is to pursue and complete specialized phlebotomy training. Such training can be completed in six to twelve months, depending on the program, and the school you attend. In some cases, training will include a work practicum, during which you will receive hands-on training drawing blood.http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/faqs/phlebotomy.php If the course you enroll in does not include a practicum, you may want to consider working as either a paid or volunteer intern at a laboratory or blood bank, since practical experience can help improve your chances of getting a job.

Courses are offered at both community colleges and vocational schools. The Center for Phlebotomy Education has a directory of all accredited phlebotomy programs in the United States.http://www.phlebotomy.com/Find-a-School.cpe

Each state has it's own phlebotomy licensing requirements, but some require that you pass a certification exam after completing an accredited training program. Even if the state in which you plan to work does not require that you become certified in order to work as plebotomist, it is in your best interest to do so, since many of the companies with which you will be seeking employment require certification.

You can arrange to take a phlebotomy certification test, after which you will be classified as either a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) or Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT), from several groups, including:

1. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
2. The American Society for Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)
3. The American Medical Technologists (AMT)http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/faqs/phlebotomy.php

The above is a shortened and easy-to-follow version of becoming a phlebotomist. Remember that it starts from high school and leads throughout the rest of your training. It takes a number of years in which you need to study, learn, train, and take multiple tests in order to receive your certification. But, with this guide, you're well on your way to becoming a certified phlebotomist!