Phlebotomist Degrees
By Nick Robertsnick.roberts@medicalhealthcarecareerschools.com
Medical Healthcare Career Schools Columnist
Most people are uneasy when it's time to give a blood sample at the lab. But as a certified phlebotomist, you can reassure a patient and use your training and skills to draw blood in a safe and reliable manner.
To qualify for a phlebotomy job, you will need a certificate or diploma. These can be obtained after you complete a phlebotomy program, which typically lasts four to eight months.
For 25 years, Maric College has been providing career-based degrees to students wishing to work in the fields of Nursing, Medical Services and Information Technology.
While you don't need a degree to become a phlebotomist, you can have an edge over other candidates by obtaining one. Due to recent technological advances, phlebotomists must be able to use computers and other high-tech devices. You can also widen your career options in the field of laboratory technology.
Many institutions offer phlebotomist degrees. Others offer degree programs in medical laboratory technology, which include intensive preparation for phlebotomy jobs.
The coursework for a phlebotomist degree usually includes anatomy, physiology of the circulatory system and phlebotomy techniques. Before you can land a phlebotomy job, you will also receive real practice in drawing blood.
If you think a phlebotomy job might be for you, you face an excellent employment outlook. The number of job openings for clinical laboratory workers is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment in the field is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Median annual earnings for a phlebotomy job were $21,944 in 2002.
Most phlebotomy jobs are found in hospitals and commercial laboratories. But you can also find many employment opportunities as a phlebotomist in a physician's office, blood banks, clinics, pharmaceutical firms, and research institutions.
