Pediatric Blood Draws: Tips for Phlebotomists

Being a certified phlebotomy technician is no easy job—you’re dealing with people that are anxious about getting their blood pulled and stressed out over why the testing must be done. These tensions are further heightened when the patient is a child. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind if you’re a phlebotomist that works with children:

In addition to the normal patient stresses, you also have a whole family of stresses added on. Mom or dad (or both) will likely be there, just as stressed as the patient, or even more so. You’ll want to make sure you are appropriately addressing both.

One way to help distract the child and help them feel at ease is to involve them in the process. You can have them hold the bandage that will be placed on the injection site or have them pick out a band aid. Use your imagination. If you can give them a “job” it can really alleviate the stress and build trust.

Speaking of trust, engage the child every step of the way and tell them fun facts about blood, etc. A child’s natural curiosity will often take over and this clarity can help alleviate fear.

Take note of your voice and body language. You’ll want to adjust to accommodate the age of the child, speaking in soft tones and using vocabulary on their level. Maintain eye contact. Additionally, be sure to shift your tone as you speak with parents.

Skills to Hone as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician or Medical Assistant

If you are currently working in the medical field as a phlebotomist or medical assistant or are seeking to learn more about the job climate for these roles, a quick browse online will certainly make you feel pretty good! Many sources claim, and logically so, that the demand for medical staff positions are on the rise and will likely continue to rise as the baby boomer generation ages. That said, a certified phlebotomy technician or a specifically trained assistant will have greater leverage in the job market—particularly when it comes to job retention, salary negotiations, and other perks.

But what other attributes will set you apart? Consider these soft skills:

Charisma: Sure, some are born with it and others must work a bit harder, but take time to sharpen your listening skills and empathetic responses to patients. Many times, you will be working with clients that are possibly stressed by either the test you’re performing or even the potential for bad news. Those phlebotomists and technicians that work to relate with the patients are irreplaceable to others on staff.

Positivity: No doubt, medical professionals are among the hardest workers. They often work long hours on their feet and have to wear many hats. If you’re the kind of person that can do this with a smile and a positive attitude, you can almost guarantee a job anywhere and frequent pay raises.

Organizational Skills: Those certified phlebotomy technicians and other professionals that can multitask well and juggle all the balls that these positions will toss at you will have the greatest chance at success and the best opportunities for advancement.