Phlebotomies are carried out by phlebotomists – people trained to draw blood mostly from veins for clinical or medical testing, transfusions, donations, or research. Blood is collected primarily by performing
venipunctures, or by using
capillary blood sampling with
fingersticks or a
heel stick in infants for the collection of minute quantities of blood. The duties of a phlebotomist may include interpreting the tests requested, drawing blood into the correct tubes with the proper additives, accurately explaining the procedure to the person and preparing them accordingly, practicing the required forms of
asepsis, practicing standard and
universal precautions, restoring
hemostasis of the puncture site, giving instructions on post-puncture care, affixing tubes with electronically printed labels, and delivering specimens to a laboratory. Some countries, states, or districts require that phlebotomists be licensed or registered. A
therapeutic phlebotomy may be carried out in the treatment of some blood disorders (examples:
hemochromatosis,
polycythemia vera,
porphyria cutanea tarda), and
chronic hives (in research).
Australia In
Australia, there are a number of courses in phlebotomy offered by educational institutions, but training is typically provided on the job. The minimum primary qualification for phlebotomists in Australia is a Certificate III in Pathology Collection (HLT37215) from an approved educational institution.
United Kingdom In the
UK no formal qualification or certification is required prior to becoming a phlebotomist as training is usually provided on the job. The
NHS offers training with formal certification upon completion.
United States Special state certification in the
United States is required only in four states:
California,
Washington,
Nevada, and
Louisiana. A phlebotomist can become nationally certified through many different organizations. However, California currently only accepts national certificates from six agencies. These include the
American Certification Agency (ACA),
American Medical Technologists (AMT),
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP),
National Center for Competency Testing/
Multi-skilled Medical Certification Institute (NCCT/MMCI),
National Credentialing Agency (NCA), and
National Healthcareer Association (NHA). These and other agencies such as the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians also certify phlebotomists outside the state of California. To qualify to sit for an examination, candidates must complete a full phlebotomy course and provide documentation of clinical or
laboratory experience.
South Africa In
South Africa learnerships to qualify as a Phlebotomy Technician are offered by many public and private educational institutions as well as by private academies owned up by pathology laboratories (such as Ampath Laboratories, Lancet, PathCare) and healthcare service providers (such as
Netcare,
South African National Blood Service). Some of the larger retail pharmacy chains offering in-store clinical services (such as Clicks,
Dis-Chem) also provide training for aspirant phlebotomists. Certification can be obtained from a number of examination and testing institutions. To work as a phlebotomist in South Africa, registration with the
Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is required. ==Sample tube types==