Phlebotomy Pages
Dedicated to students and professionals in phlebotomy!

Home Phlebotomist Working Phlebotomists Phlebotomy Specialist Phlebotomist's Duties Phlebotomist's Hours Tips from the Pros Training Phlebotomy Students Components of Training On the Job Training for Phlebotomists Phlebotomy Externship Phlebotomy School Graduates Degree Programs and CEU Schools by Career Interest Certification California Phlebotomists Skills Blood-Fluid of Life The Blood Panel Steps of Blood Collection Vacutainer® Blood Collection Syringe Blood Collection Butterfly Needle Collection Capillary Blood Collection Child Venipuncture Child Fingerstick Infant Heelstick Needle Phobia Venipuncture Vocabulary Phlebotomy Study Sheets Rules Order of Draw The Vacutainer® System Tubes and Additives Blood Collection Safety Tubes Safety Exposure Prevention Checklist Betadine vs. Iodine in Phlebotomy Jobs Phlebotomist Pay Rate Post a Job!

Phlebotomy Training!

Enter your Zip code to explore schools near you!

Explore vocational training schools and colleges that offer health career focused programs near you. These top schools will send you their brochures and explain the entire course of study.

The Steps of Blood Collection:

Phlebotomy Safety

Have you ever heard the phrase: "Phlebotomy safety means sticking to good practices!". If not, it definitely is something you should make your own motto! To help you remember, below is a general outline of the steps to follow when preparing and performing a venipuncture blood draw. Though these steps are generally followed in the order given, however, some may happen simultaneously with others.

Properly identifying the patient by name and date of birth, or medical record number

Assessing the patient and environment before proceeding

Properly completing the lab requisition slip and labels

Considering special needs and different approaches for children and the elderly

Special needs of the psychiatric patient

Verifying order, and deciding on appropriate collection method

Assembling proper (safety!) equipment

Applying tourniquet

Selecting an appropriate site (palpate the site)

Wearing PPE and using Universal Precautions

Properly preparing the site (cleanse the site)

Performing the skin or venipuncture

Recognizing and appropriately intervening with complications

Controlling of bleeding

Properly obtaining, handling, and labeling specimens:

Patient’s first and last name

Unique patient ID number

Date and time specimen was collected

Identity of the phlebotomist who collected the specimen

Properly charting procedure into patient record

Practicing infection control

Maintaining specimen integrity during transit

Venipuncture Technique Video

Watch this phlebotomy instructor's venipuncture lecture! No matter which venipuncture technique you prefer there are a number of steps that should be followed carefully and meticulously when collecting blood.

Click here!

ATTENTION: Please realize that this video (published from YouTube) is NOT HERE TO TEACH you phlebotomy techniques, but merely to show you different scenarios of the phlebotomist's daily routine. The video may contain techniques, or procedures that do not conform to proper, and safe venipuncture protocol. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Regulating agencies (OSHA, Department of Transportation) require specimen packaging to include the following:

A watertight primary receptacle

A secondary receptacle which is watertight and contains a biohazard label

Absorbent material placed between the primary and secondary receptacles

Sturdy outside packaging of corrugated cardboard, wood, metal, or plastic

Visit: Lab Tests Online Collecting the Blood.

OSHA has developed this Information Regarding the Disposal of Contaminated Needles and Blood Tube Holders Used for Phlebotomy to provide relevant information regarding OSHA’s policy on the prohibition of contaminated needle removal from medical devices. OSHA wants sharps containers to ensure that wherever blood is being drawn the sharps container is appropriate for immediate disposal of sharps, including SESIP. The following linked Safety and Health Information Bulletin outlines OSHA requirements during disposal of contaminated needles or sharps: Disposal of Contaminated Needles and Blood Tube Holders Used for Phlebotomy*

*This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or regulation. It creates no new legal obligations. The Bulletin is advisory in nature.

Health Care and Medical Assistant Training!

Want to become a Phlebotomist?
Begin your path to an exciting new career! See top schools in your local ZIP code area. Just select your health care program of interest and explore on-campus, AND online health career training programs closest to you.

Home Post a Job! Site Map Phlebotomy Forum! Phlebotomy Mobile Site!

Disclaimer: Phlebotomy Pages at phlebotomypages.com is a comprehensive phlebotomy Website. It features tons of freely accessible phlebotomy tutorials, venipuncture reviews, blood draw videos, and jobs. However, the resources offered may not always apply to your own situation, or be totally current at any given time. Phlebotomy Pages and all of its current and past experts, sponsors, advertisers, agents, contractors and advisors disclaim all warranties with regards to anything found anywhere on this Website, quoted from, or sent from phlebotomypages.com and its related sites, publications and companies. Phlebotomy Pages also takes no responsibility for comments published by others on this site or in the Phlebotomy Forum.