This Won't Hurt Much At All: Phlebotomist and Pharmacy Tech

The American population is getting older. More people need health care. The result? The outlook for careers in the health care industry is rosy. What's a fast way to get started in this field?

Two jobs that require less training are phlebotomist (someone who draws blood) and pharmacy technician (someone who counts pills and prepares labels). Here's a brief look at each position.

Hold Out Your Left Arm
As a phlebotomist, you put people at ease. You're "the face of the lab" -- the person the public meets when they come in. Almost no one you deal with is eager to give a blood sample. You'll be trained to put them at ease and make the experience as painless and positive as possible. Meanwhile, in the art of phlebotomy you'll learn to draw blood specimens in a skillful, safe and reliable manner.

What Training Is Needed for Phlebotomy?
To get a phlebotomist job you need a high school diploma or GED. In addition, you need to complete an accredited phlebotomy program, usually a one-semester to one-year certificate or diploma. Classwork will typically include anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system and phlebotomy techniques. You also get hands-on training in drawing blood through vein punctures and skin punctures.

Meanwhile at the Pharmacy?
Licensed Pharmacists are busy. Pharmacy Technicians help them by performing almost every task that can be delegated. They help prepare medicines, count tablets, answer telephones, receive and verify written prescriptions, take refill requests, mix and prepare medications, greet patients, run cash registers, and more.

Becoming a Pharmacy Tech
Technicians may be trained on the job or by completing a formal program at a pharmacy school, which can be about six months long. Some formal training programs meet the program accreditation standards established by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. After completing their training, technicians may become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) by successfully taking the national certification examination offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.