Phlebotomy is a highly in-demand skill in healthcare today. According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics, about 19,500 phlebotomy job openings are available annually, and they’re expected to increase by 8% come 2032. Potential healthcare employers favor candidates with post-secondary a certification from one of the accredited phlebotomy online classes. In this post, our exam experts explain the content covered in online phlebotomy classes, from the procedures to class length and certifications awarded
Content Covered in Phlebotomy Online Classes
Phlebotomy online classes equip students with the knowledge and skills to draw blood from different patients. The following are the sections covered in the class:
Introduction to Phlebotomy
In the introduction, students learn the work a phlebotomist does and the skills required to execute the job. They’re also introduced to the various terminologies used in the field and the potential dangers of becoming a phlebotomist. The first class sets the pace for the lessons to be covered in the coursework.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
The anatomy and physiology online class introduces learners to the human body, particularly the cardiovascular system, veins, and connective tissues. It explains the veins to puncture during the venipuncture process and those to avoid. Learners also discover the correct ways to puncture the skin when extracting a patient’s blood to prevent infections and pathogens spreading to them and other patients in a healthcare setting.
Effective and Safe Venipuncture
In this class, students learn the safety measures to take during blood extraction. The precautions explained in this lesson cover both patient and doctor safety. Some essential concepts covered in the techniques for effective and safe venipuncture include:
- How to handle different patients during venipuncture, including children and confused patients
- Ways to disinfect shared venipuncture tools like tourniquets, scissors, and sharp boxes
- Proper venipuncture tool disposal techniques
- The number of times to draw blood before giving patients a break
- The correct ways to remove needles from their original packages
- How to assemble venipuncture tools
- The proper arrangement method of venipuncture tools in a trolley for easier access
- The steps to take after direct contact with a patient’s blood or body fluids
- The importance of determining a patient’s HIV status after contact with their blood
- How to wear gloves, masks, and other personal protective equipment during venipuncture
- Getting patient consent to draw blood and explaining their rights
- How to draw blood from patients with scarred tissues and assistive devices
Venipuncture Tools
Most phlebotomy online classes teach students the process of drawing blood from patients with different anatomies and blood types. They learn how to sterilize a patient’s skin and tie a tourniquet around the injection site before drawing blood. They also discover the prerequisite PPE needed during the venipuncture procedure, such as gloves and masks, to protect themselves and their patients. Proper storage and disinfection of tourniquets, needles, and sharp containers is also in this lesson.
Waste Disposal
Both workers and healthcare centers must protect patients under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. This lesson teaches the proper waste disposal techniques of apparatus used in drawing blood from patients. These include needles, sharps containers, capillary tubes, and other venipuncture devices that cannot be sterilized and reused. Some disposal methods taught here include burning or incineration.
Blood Assessment and Documentation
After drawing blood from patients, phlebotomists must perform tests to determine specific results. This lesson explains how to conduct blood analysis of blood cells, platelets, and electrolytes using CBT, metabolic tests, and electrolyte tests, to name a few. They also learn to interpret blood test results and communicate them to patients in layman’s language.
Length of Phlebotomy Online Classes
Phlebotomy online classes have varying lengths, depending on the certification a student pursues as their career choice. The simple phlebotomy online classes take around 3 to 12 weeks, while complex programs with extensive course materials could take more than three months. Here’s a description of how long different phlebotomy classes online take:
- Theory lessons alone take 40 hours
- Laboratory training involving experiments takes 20 hours
- Clinical training that requires drawing blood from patients takes 40 hours
Phlebotomy Class Certifications
Students can earn different certifications after completing their phlebotomy online classes, depending on their specialization area. The certification type restricts them to specific phlebotomy duties. The following are the three types of certificates awarded after an online class:
- Limited phlebotomy certificate (LPT) – Allows learners to perform skin puncture procedures only
- Certified Phlebotomy certificate (CPT I) – Permits learners to conduct skin puncture and venipuncture procedures
- Certified phlebotomy technician II (CPT II) – Enables students to become complete technicians who can do skin puncturing, venipuncture, and blood analysis
Get Expert Help with Phlebotomy Online Classes Today
As phlebotomy online classes increase in popularity, becoming a certified phlebotomist is more challenging than ever. Students should enroll in accredited phlebotomy online classes to increase their chances of landing a job after completing their coursework. Our medical exam experts can take phlebotomy classes online for students and get them a certificate to practice.
