Most have experienced it. A doctor says you need some blood tests and a half a dozen stabs and prods later – sometimes more – the doctor has your blood sample and the patient has a sore arm that resembles a pincushion.
Many healthcare institutions such as GP surgeries and hospitals now employ phlebotomists to perform the role of collecting blood from their in-patients and out-patients.
Skilled phlebotomists – the healthcare professionals who take your blood – are the experts who have been gradually replacing nurses and doctors and who specialise in just collecting blood samples. Phlebotomy posts are usually very flexible and can vary from full and part-time hospital posts to part time work in surgeries and clinics. Geopace Training has built a nationwide reputation for teaching phlebotomy the right way and Geopace tutors travel from across country and even internationally to be train phlebotomy students.
Each Geopace class lasts two full days and at the end of the course students will have attained an accredited certificate in phlebotomy. Students need no prior experience in healthcare and come from all walks of life and all ages. The Introduction to Phlebotomy Course provides a very thorough grounding in both theory and practical elements and prepares students up to the point of ‘live blood draws’.
“It’s also a lot of fun” says Amy, admin manager at Geopace Training. “Many students email us after completing the course to say how enjoyable it was whilst others email us to let us know that they have been accepted for phlebotomy jobs”.
Geopace instructors are some of the most elite in the industry and the training programme is constantly updated to keep up with new developments and changes, so students receive the most current information and training available. Students attending the course are very hands-on, practicing on artificial arms which pump fake blood, with a choice of veins to perform and practise on.
There is also a theory element to complete although there are no exams at the end. Students complete modules as they process through the course and it’s almost impossible for anyone to fail. Once completed the course awards a nationally recognised and accredited certificate in phlebotomy (accredited at Level 5 in Ireland). If you like the idea of working in the healthcare profession then why not visit the Geopace Training website for more information at: www.geopace.net
Places are very limited. Courses are scheduled for Lancaster in October and both Preston and Manchester in December.