Professionalism Most people do not like having their blood drawn because of the possibility of discomfort, so professionalism and good interpersonal skills are critical attributes. Having a well-groomed and professional appearance demonstrates to others a sense of pride in oneself, the workplace and in phlebotomy as a profession.
Earning national certification lets patients and employers know that you take your career as a phlebotomist seriously and both will be more confident in you. That means that they will be more inclined to trust you to work on them, in the case of the patient, or work for them in the case of an employer...
Public Image First impressions are very important. Your daily appearance will tell everyone around what kind of attitude and behavior they can expect from you. Where these impressions are accurate or not, we must strive to project good hygiene, safety and competence in everything that we do at our clinical externship. Maintaining your certification by earning CEUs (continuing education units) every year or two will keep your certification current, your skills polished, your knowledge of new techniques and devices up to date, and will show others that you take phlebotomy seriously.
As part of these general goals, you are to wear your red scrubs (and lab coat or smock) every day at your clinical externship. Not doing so can result in your being pulled from the site and forfeiting your chances for an RTC certificate and eventually, national certification. While you are at your externship, you are to wear your red scrubs every day.
Your externship site will have a dress code in addition to the one imposed on you by the RTC Phlebotomy Technician Program. Your compliance will help to build and maintain public confidence in you, your skills and in the clinic or hospital where your do your externship. Often, the phlebotomist is the only hospital personnel that has contact with a specific patient, so you will be on the front lines of winning patient trust and confidence in the way that you dress, speak and act.
Communication Skills The ability to understand and share verbal instructions is very important in a clinic or hospital. If you ever have trouble understanding someone, tactfully ask them to repeat what they mean, possibly using different words.
If you are ever unsure of what you should say to a patient or how you should interact with them, review our daily dialogs at the OUR IBEST PHLEBOTOMY BLOG. Remember, with Google Chrome, you will be able to make use of the dictation feature and practice your own speaking and communication skills. You will want to be able to interact with your patients in a way that makes them feel comfortable with you as a phlebotomist and as a professional in a clinic or hospital.
Roadblocks to Communication Sometimes, it won't be possible to communicate with the patient in an ordinary way due to their condition. Being professional means continuing to treat each patient as though they understand everything you are saying. Even patients that don't speak much English will be able to infer a lot from the way you carry yourself, your posture, your attire and mannerisms or behaviors. In US culture eye contact is necessary to build trust, so if your native culture does not encourage eye contact, you will have to adjust to looking at people directly in their eyes, speaking clearly and audibly and maintaining a smile and pleasant demeanor. You should never treat a patient as though they cannot hear or understand you.
Non-Verbal Cues
Some examples of preferred types of cues
Good posture
Alertness
Eye contact
Nicely dressed
Respectful of patient's space
Some examples of types to avoid
Bad posture, slouching
Not making eye contact
Unkempt appearance
Too much jewelry, makeup, perfume, etc.
Brusque approach to patient
Here are a few more traits for you to consider as a phlebotomist:
Communication: Communication is a vital part of your relationship with the patient. The job of an allied health professional requires great communication skills, especially when it comes to speaking and listening. The way in which an allied health professional explains information to a patient is just as important as the actual information being communicated. Patients, who clearly understand you, are more likely to admit their ailments, carefully evaluate their treatment options, and be more apt to following directions.
Empathetic: It’s important to understand and relate to a patient’s feelings. Not to be confused with sympathy, empathy is an important trait that allied health professionals must possess. Patients tend to be happier and more motivated to stay on treatment when treated empathetically.
Passionate: No patient wants to visit a healthcare provider that no longer cares about their career. Remind yourself why you chose your profession and show your patients that you have a genuine passion in helping others. Exhibiting passion will not only set you apart from the pack, but it will also garner you repeat “customers” in the healthcare industry.
Forthright: Patients want an allied health professional that is forthright with all of their medical information in layman’s terms. When patients feel that you are being straightforward with all the facts, it allows them to make educated decisions about their health that could impact their life and well-being.
Professional: Professionalism is not clearly defined in the dictionary, but in the medical field, it is generally accepted as acting with appropriate demeanor, respect, and possessing proficiency to perform the job. An allied healthcare worker that is professional is compelled to always put the patient’s well-being above their own self-interests. A patient will have greater trust and confidence in your abilities when you demonstrate good manners and respect.
Respectful: Patients desire a healthcare provider that treats them like an individual and not just another medical problem. Patients want their medical conditions and treatments explained in simple language so that they’re not made to feel inferior or bogged down with medical jargon.
Knowledgeable: Many allied healthcare professionals believe that their certifications and/or degrees are of highest importance to their patients. In actuality, a patient values your knowledge and experience above your credentials. For instance, if you’re a physical therapist and a patient is visiting you for the first time, the last thing a patient is worried about is what school you attended. A patient is more concerned about how many patients you have treated and wants to confirm that you can safely meet their needs.
Thorough: One mistake in the medical field could have devastating effects. A patient wants to know that an allied health professional has not overlooked an aspect of their care. Being thorough and paying close attention to detail during your evaluation can prevent the patient from future ailments or the discomfort of having to come back for additional visits.
Empathetic: It’s important to understand and relate to a patient’s feelings. Not to be confused with sympathy, empathy is an important trait that allied health professionals must possess. Patients tend to be happier and more motivated to stay on treatment when treated empathetically.
Passionate: No patient wants to visit a healthcare provider that no longer cares about their career. Remind yourself why you chose your profession and show your patients that you have a genuine passion in helping others. Exhibiting passion will not only set you apart from the pack, but it will also garner you repeat “customers” in the healthcare industry.
Forthright: Patients want an allied health professional that is forthright with all of their medical information in layman’s terms. When patients feel that you are being straightforward with all the facts, it allows them to make educated decisions about their health that could impact their life and well-being.
Professional: Professionalism is not clearly defined in the dictionary, but in the medical field, it is generally accepted as acting with appropriate demeanor, respect, and possessing proficiency to perform the job. An allied healthcare worker that is professional is compelled to always put the patient’s well-being above their own self-interests. A patient will have greater trust and confidence in your abilities when you demonstrate good manners and respect.
Respectful: Patients desire a healthcare provider that treats them like an individual and not just another medical problem. Patients want their medical conditions and treatments explained in simple language so that they’re not made to feel inferior or bogged down with medical jargon.
Knowledgeable: Many allied healthcare professionals believe that their certifications and/or degrees are of highest importance to their patients. In actuality, a patient values your knowledge and experience above your credentials. For instance, if you’re a physical therapist and a patient is visiting you for the first time, the last thing a patient is worried about is what school you attended. A patient is more concerned about how many patients you have treated and wants to confirm that you can safely meet their needs.
Thorough: One mistake in the medical field could have devastating effects. A patient wants to know that an allied health professional has not overlooked an aspect of their care. Being thorough and paying close attention to detail during your evaluation can prevent the patient from future ailments or the discomfort of having to come back for additional visits.
POCT (Point of Care Testing) and Waived Testing
As a phlebotomist, you will be an expert on proper procedures and the safe handling of specimens. These skills will help you to learn and grow in another area related to phlebotomy. POCT and waived testing. POCT (Point of Care Testing) is any testing that is performed on the spot. Blood glucose and hematocrit testing with battery operated machines are just two examples. Because the devices eliminate many of the complications of the traditional testing they replace, the phlebotomist, because of their knowledge of procedures, universal precautions and safe specimen handling, often perform POCT and waived tests on patients. While in the lab at RTC, use every opportunity you can to learn about simple tests, including glucose testing, urine dip sticks and FOBT (fecal occult blood testing). These are all skills that you can take directly into your new jobs and having these skills will make you more attractive to an employer!
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