Phlebotomist Training Notes

Keeping Patients Safe

• Correct Labeling, Processing, and Transporting Specimens: Essential for patient safety during the collection process.

Scope of Practice for Phlebotomy Technicians (PBTs)

• Variability: The scope can differ across facilities.
• Typical Duties:
  • Collecting blood specimens via venipuncture and capillary (dermal) puncture.
  • Collecting nonblood specimens (urine, stool, cheek or throat cells) in some instances.
  • Performing simple tests on blood or nonblood specimens.
• Restrictions:
  • PBTs should not discuss why a test was ordered or potential diagnoses related to results; refer patients to the ordering provider.
  • PBTs should not offer personal opinions on a patient's health; refer patients to a doctor for health concerns.
• Expanded Skills (with Training): Some technicians may be trained to take medical histories or measure vital signs, but only if trained and authorized.
• Tasks Outside the Usual Scope of Practice:
  • Providing test results.
  • Discussing or interpreting results.
  • Offering any medical advice, including provider recommendations.
  • Performing tests on specimens beyond simple tests that they are trained and allowed to do.
• Entry-Level Restrictions:
  • Drawing blood from arteries or performing arterial blood gas tests (may be allowed with further training in some states/facilities).
  • Drawing blood from an indwelling port or intravenous line (IV) (may be allowed with further training in some states/facilities).
  • Any type of injection.
  • Inserting or removing IVs.
• Employer Policies: PBTs must adhere to employer policies, even if they possess the training to perform a task considered outside their scope of practice by the employer.

Policies and Procedures

• Facility-Specific: All facilities have their own tailored policies and procedures.
• Policy Defined: A policy is a standard course of action for a specific situation (e.g., maintaining confidentiality of healthcare information).
• Procedure Defined: A procedure is a method or way of doing something (e.g., a protocol for reporting patient incidents such as fainting during a blood draw).
  • The procedure outlines how to respond, what form to complete, when to complete it, and who to give it to.
• Importance: Policies and procedures ensure quality care and protect patient safety.
• Compliance: PBTs must be familiar with and consistently follow policies and procedures.
• Common Policies:
  • Patient Confidentiality: All patient information must be kept confidential, as required by facility rules and the law. More details on confidentiality, including HIPAA, are discussed later.