The A-B-O on Blood Types

As a phlebotomist, or a phlebotomy training student, blood is kind of your thing. Not in the vampire sense, of course. As in, an artist works in oil paints, a sculpture works in clay and you work with needles and blood all day! So how about a little refresher on all things blood types?

B is for Blood
All blood is created equal and is made of the same basic elements; however, not all blood is alike. In fact, there are...jump in when you know the answer...eight different common blood types. So what makes each one different from the next? A person’s blood type is determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens - substances that can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body.

Blood Groups and How They Get Along
There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells:

Group A – has only the A antigen on red cells (and B antibody in the plasma)
Group B – has only the B antigen on red cells (and A antibody in the plasma)
Group AB – has both A and B antigens on red cells (but neither A nor B antibody in the plasma)
Group O – has neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibody are in the plasma)

Got all that straight? Now things get a little trickier! In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a third antigen called the Rh factor, which can be either present (+) or absent ( – ).

How Is Blood Type Determined?
It’s inherited. Like eye color, blood type is passed genetically from your parents. Whether your blood group is type A, B, AB or O is based on the blood types of your mother and father.

Most Common Blood Type
Surely you know this one! If you said O positive, you are correct!

Top 5 Reasons to Become a Phlebotomist

Are you considering a career in medicine, or to switch careers to something more fulfilling? Phlebotomy is a wonderful career option for a number of reasons, including the ability to help those in need! If you are hardworking, dedicated and compassionate (you’ll need that in spades for those difficult blood draws!), then this is a great profession for you! Need some more convincing? Here are 4 more reasons why becoming a phlebotomist is a solid life choice!

Start School Immediately –
Through a phlebotomy training program you will you learn medical terminology and anatomy and physiology of the human body, which are essential parts of the job. Once you have completed your program, you’ll be eligible to take the Phlebotomy Technician Certification exam. Many phlebotomists can often start working independently in as little as six months from the start of their training.

Excellent Career Growth –
There is tremendous growth potential in the field of phlebotomy, as well as additional career opportunities in the medical field as a result of your training and knowledge.  A career in phlebotomy can be a fantastic stepping stone to a career in nursing, as a lab technician or as a gateway to medical school.

Competitive Pay –
Starting salary for phlebotomists is often more than $11 per hour. In addition, many larger health care companies offer benefits packages and other perks to recruit graduates straight out of schooling.

Diverse Employment Opportunities –
Healthcare in general, including phlebotomy, continue to see steady growth year after year. Not only is there a demand for phlebotomists, but there is also a wide spectrum of job opportunities such as: laboratories, clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, insurance companies, medical centers, elderly care facilities and blood donation centers.

Phlebotomy is not only a great career, but it can be a fantastic stepping stone to a further career in medicine. Start your dream career in the world of healthcare as a phlebotomist today!