What is Phlebotomy?

The phlebotomist is an important member of the health care team whose
primary role is to collect blood specimens for testing. The results of this testing allow a physician to make decisions regarding the diagnoses and treatment of illnesses. NAACLS has defined the following skills that phlebotomists are proficient in:

a. collecting, transporting, handling and processing blood specimens for analysis;

b. recognizing the importance of specimen collection in the overall patient care system;

c. relating the anatomy and physiology of body systems and anatomic terminology to the major areas of the clinical laboratory, and to general pathologic conditions associated with body systems;

d. identifying and selecting equipment, supplies and additives used in blood collection;

e. recognizing factors that affect specimen collection procedures and test results, and taking appropriate actions within predetermined limits, when applicable;

f. recognizing and adhering to infection control and safety policies and procedures;

g. monitoring quality control within predetermined limits;

h. recognizing the various components of the health care delivery system;

i. recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interacting with them with respect for their jobs and patient care;

j. demonstrating professional conduct, stress management, interpersonal and communication skills with patients, peers and other health care personnel and with the public;

k. demonstrating an understanding of requisitioning and the legal implications of their work environment;

l. applying basic principles in learning new techniques and procedures;
m. recognizing and acting upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.