Phlebotomy Training in Ireland

Phlebotomists are the skilled practitioners that draw blood from patients and blood donors. Ireland's national governing body for phlebotomists is the Phlebotomy Association of Ireland, and they accredit the Certificate in Phlebotomy.

Person Specification

• To become a phlebotomist, you need a certain set of skills and aptitudes. While you do not need any major formal qualifications to be a phlebotomist, people who have previously studied a relevant course will be put at an advantage over other candidates. Any science or health related discipline will put you in good stead.

  In terms of personality and skills, one essential quality is not being squeamish around blood and having the confidence and calm bed-side manner to draw blood from patients and donors. A cheerful and positive manner will help to assuage any fear that some people may have of needless.

Applying For The Course

• The Phlebotomy Association of Ireland oversees the Certificate in Phlebotomy. There are two different sub-divsions of this course, with one available to new entrants and another available to already practicing phlebotomists.

  The new entry course is a 21-week program, available to health service employees subsidized; non-health service professionals are required to pay the €2,500 course fee.

  New entrants are required to have some relevant health care experience.

Distance Learning and Module One

• The first section of the course is distance learning. The course leaders will send you the course materials, which is the equivalent of 10 one-hour lessons.

  Students then advance to module one, a three week course at the National Ambulance Service College in the Irish capital, Dublin.

The Second Module

• Module two is also based at the college, lasting two weeks and ending with a series of Objectively Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) before a student moves on to module three.

Module Three and Final Examination

• In module three, the student will carry out three two-week placements in a clinical environment. Students also undergo more OSCEs at the end of each of these placements before sitting a final exam at the end of the third module. Successfully passing this exam leads to a Certificate in Phlebotomy and you are now a fully-qualified phlebotomist.