[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/procedures-that-require-phlebotomy-proficiency\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/procedures-that-require-phlebotomy-proficiency\/","headline":"Procedures that Require Phlebotomy Proficiency","name":"Procedures that Require Phlebotomy Proficiency","description":"Phlebotomy is a medical practice that involves opening a vein to take blood from a patient or to deliver fluid to their body. It\u2019s done to produce a blood sample or administer treatment. Students can develop the skills required to perform different phlebotomy procedures through the Medical Assistant training program at Prism Career Institute. We","datePublished":"2025-06-10","dateModified":"2025-05-07","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/author\/prism-vendor\/#Person","name":"Prism Vendor","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/author\/prism-vendor\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a055421bfa1ca171b49ed3199efa2d2735bd46c256dfd5c8f4aa174ca8cb032a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a055421bfa1ca171b49ed3199efa2d2735bd46c256dfd5c8f4aa174ca8cb032a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Prism Career Institute","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pci-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pci-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/prism-phlebotomy-procedures-300x200.jpg","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/prism-phlebotomy-procedures-300x200.jpg","height":"200","width":"300"},"url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/procedures-that-require-phlebotomy-proficiency\/","about":["Medical Assisting"],"wordCount":808,"articleBody":"Phlebotomy is a medical practice that involves opening a vein to take blood from a patient or to deliver fluid to their body. It\u2019s done to produce a blood sample or administer treatment. Students can develop the skills required to perform different phlebotomy procedures through the Medical Assistant training program at Prism Career Institute. We offer healthcare training programs at our locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, New Jersey. Here, we discuss the different phlebotomy practices students can learn.Phlebotomy Procedures Taught in Medical Assistant SchoolIn Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a common task medical assistants perform during their careers is drawing blood. The phlebotomy skills they can learn through schooling prepare them to conduct this work effectively and safely. The different phlebotomy procedures students can develop a proficiency in include:VenipunctureVenipuncture is a common phlebotomy procedure medical assistants perform. It\u2019s done to collect a blood sample, conduct a blood transfusion, or administer medication through intravenous (IV) treatment. Venipuncture usually occurs through an arm or hand vein, but a medical assistant may also use a foot vein. An assistant should administer venipuncture through a clear skin area to produce the best quality blood sample.Capillary PunctureMedical assistants use this phlebotomy method to take a tiny amount of blood from the capillaries, small blood vessels around the skin\u2019s surface. It\u2019s often used to conduct point-of-care testing or collect blood samples from infants, small children, or patients with difficult-to-locate veins.Blood SmearsThis is an examination conducted under a microscope after an assistant obtains a small drop of blood. Physicians examine the sample, spread over a glass slide, to study red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A physician\u2019s observation may lead to a diagnosis of conditions such as anemia, leukemia, or other blood diseases.Bleeding Time TestsThese measure how long it takes for bleeding to stop after the skin has been cut. To do one, a medical assistant cleans a patient\u2019s forearm or earlobe and then makes a small incision. They\u2019ll then run a stopwatch and blot the cut area every half minute with filter paper. After they see no bleeding from the area, they\u2019ll stop the timer and record the time. Longer bleeding times may indicate a patient has blood vessel or platelet issues, or a blood condition such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease.Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) CollectionThis form of phlebotomy occurs through the radial artery in the wrist. Physicians conduct this procedure to assess how well a patient\u2019s lungs transfer oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. The blood sample measures the carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pH levels. Detecting an issue through any of these three indicators may lead to a diagnosis related to metabolic or respiratory function.Other Types of Therapeutic Phlebotomy Therapeutic phlebotomy can address several conditions within the body often associated with an increased amount of iron. These blood removal treatments can reduce fatigue, joint pain, or weakness and lower the risk of heart issues, liver disease, or diabetes. Aspects of this form of care include:Controlled blood removal: An assistant carefully draws out an amount of blood prescribed by a physician from an arm vein.Blood discarded: This step eliminates excess material, like iron, that can develop within a patient\u2019s blood.Fluid replacement: To maintain the body\u2019s fluid volume following blood loss, an assistant administers fluid like saline intravenously or orally.Frequency: As they get better, a physician may reduce a patient\u2019s therapeutic phlebotomy sessions to potentially once every few weeks or months.Therapeutic phlebotomy also aids patients with excess iron from sickle cell anemia or thalassemia blood transfusions.Prism Career Institute\u2019s Medical Assistant ProgramAt Prism Career Institute, our Medical Assistant program provides students with in-depth training to become skilled medical assistants. Topics include:Medical law and ethicsAnatomy and physiologyPharmacologyPhlebotomyPatient history and vital signsClinical proceduresHygiene and infection controlBy enrolling in Prism Career Institute’s Medical Assistant program, students can learn about the various phlebotomy procedures involved in patient care. Our quality instructors and firsthand experiences provide the knowledge and development of phlebotomy skills medical assistant students need. Our career services can help students develop a sense of their professional direction after graduation. Once completing our MA program, graduates can take the certification exam for phlebotomy to become certified.Learn About Phlebotomy Procedures at Prism Career InstituteApply to the Medical Assistant program at Prism Career Institute to explore phlebotomy procedures and more essential skills. We offer daytime medical assistant program classes at our Philadelphia location and both day and evening classes at our New Jersey locations. We also offer financial aid to students who qualify. Contact us to learn more about the medical assistant program or apply online today."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Procedures that Require Phlebotomy Proficiency","item":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/procedures-that-require-phlebotomy-proficiency\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]