Phlebotomy is more than just drawing blood from patients and conducting tests on them. As with all careers and tasks in the medical field, there is nuance to the set of skills a person needs to learn.
Certainly, you can be a good phlebotomist by learning all the techniques and methods taught at the best Indiana phlebotomy schools. But to be a great phlebotomist, you’ll need the following traits:
1. They are compassionate
Not all patients are excited or willing to have their blood drawn, but by showing compassion and empathy, you can make this frightening process easier and more comfortable for them. After all, a calm patient is an easier patient. You are making not just their experience easier but yours as well.
2. They have good communication skills
One of the easiest ways to help a patient is to help them understand their condition and the medical procedures being conducted on them. Medical concepts are often complicated, and it takes an effective communicator to make them simpler for patients to understand. The more educated a patient is about the science surrounding their condition, the better their chances of making positive decisions.
3. They work well under pressure
The medical field is full of high-pressure situations, especially now during the pandemic. That means a phlebotomist must be able to work efficiently and effectively even in emergencies. After all, lives are at stake; panic is the last thing that should settle in the heart of a phlebotomist.
4. They have a good support structure in place to deal with emotional burnout
The rate of medical professionals feeling burnout is unjustly high, with many professionals throughout the medical field struggling with feelings of disillusionment. This is because they are regularly exposed to human tragedy and death. Phlebotomists are no different.
As such, such professionals must have a solid support system in place to deal with this burnout. It could be as simple as taking the time to do other things (spending time with their family, working on hobbies, and so on).
5. They are observant
Phlebotomy is more than drawing blood and knowing which vials are the right ones. It is necessary for such professionals to have a degree of situational awareness, careful to observe patients for symptoms and conditions they might not yet understand. Observation skills might mean the difference for a patient getting the right care or not at all.
6. They are responsible
Phlebotomists must take care to update their knowledge of HIPAA laws, best practices, and so on. They must understand that even the smallest mistake can lead to serious medical conditions and harm and that only through the responsible execution of their profession can they prevent this.
Final thoughts
The field of phlebotomy is more than what you learn in phlebotomy schools. It involves a wide set of soft and social skills to help you go from a good phlebotomist to a skilled professional. At the end of the day, patients deserve the best, and it is only through these qualities that you can deliver that.
If you’re looking for an Indiana-based phlebotomy school, send us a message at Medical Career NWI. We can provide the skills, both technical and soft, to help you find your place in the field of medicine in no time.