The healthcare industry is on the rise in the United States. Due to an aging population, lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in the industry, skilled workers are in high demand. There are also changes in the skills demanded from those workers.
Mobile phlebotomy is a contemporary approach to phlebotomy. This medical assistant career path offers improved opportunity and flexibility to workers while making healthcare more accessible to patients who may otherwise find it difficult to access care. With Prism Career Institute, learn more about why this career field is booming and how you can get involved.
What Is Mobile Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is the field of medicine that specializes in venipuncture, or blood draws. A phlebotomist’s job is to collect blood samples for laboratory testing and analysis. Some phlebotomists also assist with donations at blood drives. They fulfill a variety of responsibilities, including:
- Adhering to health and safety standards
- Keeping needles, vials, and other equipment sterile
- Explaining the process and reassuring patients
- Assisting with blood draws and transfusions
- Correctly labeling and storing samples for delivery
- Obtaining insurance and billing information
- Gathering and reviewing patient records
Mobile phlebotomy, sometimes called traveling phlebotomy, refers to a phlebotomy service that moves from place to place. Mobile phlebotomists visit a variety of hospitals, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, and even private homes to meet with patients. They carry a portable phlebotomy station, allowing safe and sterile collections, and send their samples back to a laboratory for analysis.
Increasing Demands
In recent years, the demand for trained phlebotomists has increased. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an 8% growth in employment over the next decade with about 19,500 new openings each year. Part of this is due to an aging population. As people grow older, the need for healthcare increases. Another part is due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the heightened need for healthcare workers. Phlebotomy serves a central role in diagnosing and monitoring health conditions of all kinds. If medical services are growing, so is phlebotomy.
Advantages to Patients
Phlebotomists are in high demand – and mobile phlebotomists are even higher. Because mobile phlebotomists travel to different locations, they can reach a wider variety of patients. This makes healthcare more accessible to people who can’t easily visit a facility. These may include:
- Aging patients or those with disabilities who struggle with mobility
- Severely ill patients who cannot travel safely
- School and college students who do not own vehicles
- Working patients with busy schedules
In addition, many insurance providers now prioritize home-based services. Mobile phlebotomy makes it easier for patients to secure financial assistance. Healthcare becomes more accessible for patients who cannot cover the costs without insurance.
Advantages to Providers
The mobile model isn’t only better for patients. In some ways, it’s also better for healthcare providers and the phlebotomists themselves. By reaching a wider range of patients, facilities can provide more widespread and effective care. They also ensure better health outcomes for existing patients. The phlebotomists, meanwhile, enjoy better variety and opportunities in their careers. As a mobile phlebotomist, you may:
- Meet people from all lifestyles and backgrounds.
- Enjoy improved flexibility and independence.
- Form professional connections at various facilities, which can open new opportunities.
- Build relationships with patients in a comfortable environment.
While many mobile phlebotomists are employed by healthcare facilities and organizations, some find an option to set up their own practices. This creates opportunities to expand a career in new directions with business management and entrepreneurship. Whether you are just beginning your career or seeking ways to improve and expand your existing one, mobile phlebotomy is a great way to do so.
Becoming a Mobile Phlebotomist
If you are interested in becoming a mobile phlebotomist, you can first complete a medical assistant program. Most programs only require a high school diploma or general educational development (GED) to enter. They provide class coursework alongside hands-on clinical training, providing students with the full range of responsibilities they will face in their careers as medical assistants. This includes vital skills for phlebotomy, including blood draws, specimen handling, and infection control.
Most programs can be completed quickly. At Prism Career Institute, we offer a medical assistant program that covers phlebotomy, and students can graduate in as few as 40 weeks. Afterward, students are ready to take a certification exam and take the next steps toward rewarding careers as phlebotomists.
Begin Your Journey Today
If you would like to get involved in a high-demand career field, mobile phlebotomy offers excellent opportunities. Prism Career Institute offers phlebotomy training through our medical assistant program. Available at three campuses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cherry Hill, and West Atlantic City, New Jersey, our program offers day and evening classes and financial aid opportunities available to those who qualify. Contact us to learn more about our admissions process, or take our medical career readiness quiz to find out whether phlebotomy is right for you.