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!

Knowledge is Power: Become a Certified Phlebotomist

Learn your phlebotomy ABCs

Why should you become a certified phlebotomist? It may seem like more and more often people are doing this job without becoming certified in the field – so it might not seem worth it. But becoming a certified phlebotomist definitely has its benefits. Certification shows potential employers that you know your job, and you’re apt to have more benefits upon hire. And, on a more personal level, having that level of accomplishment can really boost your self-worth and self-esteem.

Believe it or not, most healthcare facilities require certification of their phlebotomists. This means that those with proper certification will be hired above those that still require it. With a phlebotomy certification, you can work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, laboratories, or even blood banks.

When patients need blood drawn, they want to feel safe. If you have the proper certification, you’ll be able to ease some of their concerns. Being certified allows you to be positive of your skills when you are on the job – and your co-workers and patients will notice it, too.

If you want to become certified in phlebotomy, learn more at the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians at ASPT.org.

Phlebotomy Ups and Downs: Real Stories

Phlebotomy Headaches and Triumphs

Phlebotomy can be a rewarding career – both emotionally and professionally. We asked some current phlebotomists what they like – and find the most challenging – most about their career path. The answers may delight and surprise you!

• Many phlebotomy professionals enjoy the interaction with patients most of all.
• One of the most challenging things is dealing with the different conditions each patient has. Some of the different medical conditions can make drawing blood rather difficult. You have to have the skill to get it right. (And that’s where proper phlebotomy training really comes in handy!)
• When you care for people on a regular basis, some emotional attachment is common. And that’s a good thing. When you care, you can really give your best care.
• Keeping up with kids is certainly a challenge! Children tend to cry, run, or scream when the time comes for a blood draw. If you’re not used to kids, this is definitely a hurdle.
• Fear of making an error is always there. And we’re not just talking about phlebotomy errors – clerical errors can be extremely difficult in this field. You need to make sure you’re performing the correct procedure on the correct patient… all the time.

Phlebotomists sounds off: What’s the best part about your job?

Are You Eligible For A Phlebotomy Certification Test?

Want to take your phlebotomy certification test? Wondering what qualifications you need? ASPT can help you prepare for life as a professional phlebotomist. We also facilitate ongoing educational opportunities to keep you informed about emerging trends in the field of phlebotomy.

• To earn a phlebotomy certification through the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
• One full year as a part-time phlebotomist or six months as a full-time phlebotomist
• Alternatively, you may produce a letter from your health care supervisor verifying that part of your job involves procuring blood samples frequently
• The successful completion of an accredited training program in phlebotomy with at least 100 documented venipunctures and 5 documented skin punctures – all completed successfully—is a must.
•  A current ASPT membership

Provisional certificates may also be awarded when coordinated through special arrangements by school programs.

Our exam fees are only $55, plus membership fees, making these services affordable to everyone. Even if you are a member of other organizations, ASPT welcomes all health providers to its ranks.

Certifications in phlebotomy often lead to better job security and salaries, and earning yours from a prestigious institution often increases your chances of a more lucrative career. The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians is the 2^nd oldest phlebotomy certifying agency, established in 1983, with membership and certification numbers still soaring after more than 30 years. Learn more about how you can earn your phlebotomy certificate today at ASPT.org. 

Get Your Phlebotomy Technician Certification from ASPT

Welcome to the official blog of ASPT, the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. We’ll be providing additional information about our services, as well as exploring the latest news and updates from the field of Phlebotomy.

If you’re seeking your phlebotomy technician certification, or you’re choosing a certification agency for your hospital or medical center, why should you choose ASPT? What sets us apart from much of our competition is the inclusion of practical testing during our certificate examination. Our practical exams text the entire range of skills needed daily for professional phlebotomists.

Our certifications are also a step ahead of our competitors because we require continuing education in the field of phlebotomy to maintain the certification. Many agencies cannot require an ongoing educational component because they only provide one continuing education program ever year, which could be located thousands of miles away from those who need the training.

ASPT is continually developing new training programs in conjunction with the institutions that employ our members. We also work with our members to cross train them in other areas that their positions entail, including EKG technician, patient care technician, drug collection, paramedical duties, and more.

Membership in ASPT is affordable and provides our members with a wealth of information and knowledge they can use to improve their practice. Learn more about the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians at ASPT.org today.