Phlebotomy Training in California
Phlebotomy training in California prepares students for a career as a phlebotomist. Their main duty is to take blood samples from patients who need tests and analysis done to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Most phlebotomists work in hospitals and clinics. Students will study blood, blood vessels, safe medical practices, sanitary requirements, and puncture techniques. Most phlebotomy training programs in California take six months to complete and result in a certificate. Phlebotomy students often use the program as a stepping stone to a career as a nurse or medical assistant. The majority of phlebotomists work part-time in hospitals and clinics.
Prerequisites Needed for Entry into Phlebotomy Schools
A phlebotomist is a clinical technician who administers lab tests, draws blood, files reports, and has close contact with patients. The ONE requirement that all phlebotomy training schools ask for is a high school diploma or GED. Aside from that, each college, university or vocational school may have its own specific prerequisites. However, there are certain factors that will prepare you well for a career in phlebotomy, and which all schools will admire.
- Science
Phlebotomy is, after all, a medical sector, so a basic foundation in chemistry, biology and physics will help you better understand and learn about the human body and how it is treated.
- Anatomy
Phlebotomy deals with blood vessels, and blood flow around the body, so a good knoweledge of anatomy is essential!
- Sanitation
Whether collecting, storing and giving blood, you will be responsible for making sure that samples do not get contaminated, and that patients do not suffer infections. For this reason, an understanding of the ins and outs of sanitation is absolutely key.
- Mathematics
It is a phlebotomist's responsibility to make sure he or she corrects exactly the right amounts of blood, labels samples correctly, and cross references dates and times of collections with doctors' requirements, so a good grasp of mathematics is essential.
- Medical Terminology
Phlebotomists work directly with doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, meaning they need to be fluent in medical terminology. Part of your job will be reading and updating medical records, so understanding the terminology is 100% necessary.
- Bedside Manner
Most people get nervous when having blood taken, and as a phlebotomist you will be dealing with some very difficult cases face-to-face. However, a good bedside manner and communication skills can ease a tense situation, making your job a lot easier and your patient a lot calmer.
- Hand-eye Coordination
This one is self-explanatory. As a phlebotomist you will be dealing with tiny blood vessels, sharp needles, and shaky patients, so manual dexterity is a MUST.
- Good Computer Skills
A large part of your job will be filing reports, updating medical charts and tracking patient appointments. For this reason, you must be confident in using computer databases and office filing systems. This is especially important when working in a large facility where you have to coordinate and share records with many different people.
Other cities in California
OTHER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN CALIFORNIA
Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos, California 95003Telephone:(831) 479-6100
http://www.cabrillo.edu
College of Marin
835 College Ave, Kentfield, California 94904Telephone:(415) 457-8811
http://www.marin.edu
College of the Sequoias
915 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, California 93277Telephone:(559) 730-3700
http://cos.edu
Cuesta College
Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, California 93403Telephone:(805) 546-3100
http://www.cuesta.edu
De Anza College
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, California 95014Telephone:(408) 864-5678
http://www.deanza.edu/
Foothill College
12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, California 94022Telephone:(650) 949-7777
http://www.foothill.edu
Lake College
443 Redcliff Drive, Redding, California 96002Telephone:(530) 224-7227
http://www.lakecollege.edu
Long Beach City College
4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, California 90808Telephone:(562) 938-4111
http://www.lbcc.edu
MiraCosta College
One Barnard Drive, Oceanside, California 92056Telephone:(760) 757-2121
http://www.miracosta.edu
See the full list of schools.
MTI College
5221 Madison Ave, Sacramento, California 95841Telephone:(916) 339-1500
http://www.mticollege.edu
Ohlone College
43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont, California 94539Telephone:(510) 659-6000
http://www.ohlone.edu
Palo Verde College
One College Drive, Blythe, California 92225Telephone:(760) 921-5500
http://www.paloverde.edu
Santa Rosa Junior College
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95401Telephone:(707) 527-4011
http://www.santarosa.edu


