Learn about the principles and techniques of phlebotomy and the duties of a phlebotomist with this free online course.

Humans have been bloodletting or drawing blood for thousands of years and using it to treat medical conditions such as fever, headache, loss of appetite and more. Today, phlebotomy is a crucial diagnostic as well as a therapeutic profession. Testing blood is routinely used to screen and diagnose a patient, plan treatment and monitor the treatment outcomes of patients. Phlebotomists are trained personnel who can efficiently draw blood and look after the patients' comfort during the procedure. In this course, we will teach you phlebotomy principles and introduce you to their duties and responsibilities that involve more than just drawing blood.

The primary duty of a phlebotomist is collecting blood samples from patients as ordered by a doctor. But to do this efficiently, you must know where and how much blood to collect. We will introduce you to the standard blood-collecting methods, equipment and materials needed, labelling of samples, rules to follow and the standard venepuncture procedure. You will learn how to collect blood for culture, handle samples for evidence in legal proceedings and the difference between ASAP and stat samples. In addition, you will learn about the collection procedures and tests for non-blood body fluids.

Improper handling of a collected blood sample can cause misleading and incorrect results while risking the safety of healthcare personnel and the patient by exposing them to blood-borne pathogens. We will cover safe venipuncture techniques, needle disposal, and patient complications, focusing on reducing health risks for patients and staff. Phlebotomists work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient care centres, community health centres, laboratories and research centres. This course offers fundamental training and valuable insights for anyone interested in phlebotomy. Are you ready to become a phlebotomist? Start today and open doors to new job opportunities.