Hello Steemit users

Hope you all will be safe and sound. As a medical lab technologist i'am going to share toady about Phlebotomy.

Phlebotomy:

Puncture of a vein in order to draw blood.

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Phlebotomist:

Phlebotomists are professionals who are trained to draw blood from a live person for tests, transfusions or donations.

Desirable Personal Characteristic for Phlebotomist:

Phlebotomists are a important part of Blood Center / Blood Bank. Specific personal and professional characteristics are necessary for them to be successful in this area.

Dependability:

Blood Banking begins with donor collection and relies on the phlebotomist to report to work whenever scheduled and on time.

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Compassion:

In a Blood Bank / Blood Center Phlebotomists deal with anxious and frightened blood donors every day. They must be sensitive to their needs, understand a donors concern about blood draw or just the fear of a needle, and take the time or reassure each blood donor. A smile and a cheerful tone of voice are simple techniques that can put a donor more at ease.

Honesty:

The phlebotomist should never hesitate to admit a mistake, because a misidentified donor or mislabeled specimen can be critical to patient safety.

Integrity:

Blood Donor confidentially must be protected, and donor information is never discussed with anyone who does not have a professional need to know it.

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Flexibility:

The phlebotomist must be able to adapt to the changes taking place in healthcare delivery. Flexibility and motivation to learn new skills are the key to job security and advancement.

Appearance:

The phlebotomists must have a neat and clean appearance that portrays a professional attitude to the donor:

• Uniforms and laboratory coats must be clean and unwrinkled.
• Coats should be completely buttoned.
• Shoes must be clean and polished.
• Hair must be appropriately trimmed.
• Fingernails must be clean and short.
• Personal hygiene is extremely important because of donor contact.
• Careful attention should be paid to bathing and the use of deodorants and mouthwashes.
• In general, a sloppy appearance indicates a tendency toward sloppy performance.

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Communication Skills:

• Good communication skills are needed for the phlebotomist to function as the liaison between the Blood Bank / Blood Center and the donors.
• The three components of communication – verbal skills, listening skills and nonverbal skills or body language – all contribute to effective communication.

Verbal Skills:

• Verbal skills enable phlebotomist to;
• Introduce themselves
• Explain the procedure
• Reassure the donor
• Help assure the donor that the procedure is being competently performed.
• Barriers to verbal communication that must be considered include physical handicaps such as hearing impairment; donor emotions; and the level of donor education, age and language proficiency.
• The phlebotomist who recognizes these barriers is better equipped to communicate with the donor. Table: Provides methods to use when verbal communication barriers are encountered.

Listening Skills:

• Listening skills are a key component of communication. Active listening involves:
• Look directly and attentively at the donor.
• Allowing the donor time to express feelings, anxieties and concerns.
• Providing feedback to the donor through appropriate responses.
• Encouraging donor communication by asking question.

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Non-Verbal Skills:

• Nonverbal skills or body language include facial expressions, posture and eye contact. If you smile and look directly at the donor while talking, you demonstrate positive body language.
• This makes donor feel that they are important and that your care about them and your work.
• Conversely following, avoiding eye contact, and gazing away. While the donor is talking are examples of negative body language and indicate boredom and disinterest in the donor.