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Every career comes with its own challenges. When you’re first considering a vocation, you may become overwhelmed by the excitement of starting something new and overlook the possible difficulties you may face day-to-day. At Montes HealthCare College, we provide our students with the facts about their chosen careers. As a phlebotomist, you can expect to interact with patients on a daily basis. This holds true whether you’re working in a clinic or a private office. The work you do will often be interesting and engaging, but you may have tough days too. Below are some of the challenges phlebotomists face and some tips on how to meet and overcome these challenges.
1. Phlebotomists Have Hectic Schedules
A lot can be asked of you as a phlebotomist. You may often feel like you’re being pulled in several directions. This is especially true when several labs need to be drawn from different patients all at once. Many labs will be timed and will require specific scheduling and punctuality. Juggling all of this can cause you to feel overwhelmed.
However, a simple solution to this issue is to schedule your day properly and force yourself to remain on task no matter what happens. Above all, when the pressure does get too much, remember to breathe.
2. Phlebotomists Sometimes Have to Deal with Rude People
While this isn’t specific to phlebotomy, it should be mentioned – not every patient interaction will be pleasant. Especially during busy days, you will likely have the odd patient who has been waiting for their blood draw for hours and is now on edge. Learning not to take moments of rudeness personally is essential to working with others. Therefore, as a phlebotomist, you will have to develop thicker skin quickly.
3. Phlebotomists Are Often Exposed to Pathogens
It goes without saying – as a phlebotomist, you will be handling a lot of patient samples. This holds true for samples of patients that are ill. Blood can contain many infectious microorganisms and pathogens that could make you sick. Therefore, wearing proper safety gear like gloves and masks is essential when performing your duties. Remember to wash your hands regularly too!
4. Some People May be “Hard Sticks”
Some patients may be “hard sticks,” meaning that extracting blood from them will be difficult for one reason or another. The most common difficulty comes from being unable to locate a vein in the patient’s arm. This can lead to frustration, both on your part and the part of the patient. At these times, it’s important to remain calm and communicate with the person you’re dealing with. Making light conversation and joking can alleviate the tension and provide a more pleasant experience for everyone involved.
5. Long Days and Lots of Standing
Some medical institutions never close, so you may be required to work extended hours often – sometimes as long as 12 hours in a single shift! Being on your feet and moving from patient to patient constantly doesn’t make the situation any more comfortable. The bright side is that extended shifts often pay overtime, and if you enjoy your job, the hours can fly by.
Begin Your Journey Today
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a phlebotomist, connect with our team today. Get in touch and learn about our new phlebotomy program by scheduling a campus tour. To connect with our office, dial (310) 436-7000 or click HERE.
Along with campus tours, we also offer students the opportunity to experience a real class before committing to a tuition payment schedule. Get in touch and attend one of our class sessions to see if our programs are right for you. No payment is necessary; simply contact us to request a pre-enrollment class audit.