"The biggest mistake I've made as a phlebotomist was mixing up the labels on two patients' samples. The patients had come in within minutes of each other, so I didn't have time to label the samples between visits. When they both left, I labelled the test tubes wrongly and we didn't realise it until the test results came back. We had to call the patients and get them to come in again to take a new sample. I learned to always label samples immediately to avoid mix-ups." 

"If a patient fainted when I was drawing blood, I would remove the needle and cover the area with a cotton bud and band-aid. I would then lie them down and elevate their knees to increase blood flow to their head. I would call for a colleague to get them water and something sweet to eat when they wake up to raise their blood sugar."

"I have been a phlebotomist for five years. Over the years, I have worked at donation centres, hospitals, and plasma centres. I preferred working at a donation centre, such as yours, because no one was sick or upset, they were just coming in to donate blood and help out their community. It was great working in such an uplifting environment."

"One of the biggest reasons people faint when giving blood is because your blood pressure can drop or your heart rate can slow down suddenly, leading to light-headedness, nausea, or fainting. Another reason is dehydration. It's important to drink a lot the day before your appointment to avoid this."

"A hematoma is a collection of blood that is outside of blood vessels, causing bruising and tenderness. To prevent a hematoma, I take my time when drawing blood. I make sure I don't insert the needle too deeply and before I remove the needle, I take off the tourniquet. When I take the needle out, I press a cotton ball to the site and bandage it swiftly."

"When adult patients are scared to have their blood drawn, I will explain the process, let them know that they will be okay, and distract them with conversation. If it's a younger child, I will let the parents come in with them as it provides a welcome distraction. I also try to distract the child by telling them to choose a sticker they will get afterwards."

"I actually enjoy the routine work even though it gets repetitive. The repetition helps me get better at my job and improve my skills. I also have the opportunity to meet and talk to plenty of people while drawing their blood, so that makes the job more interesting and motivates me to do my best."

"When patients make an appointment to have their blood drawn, I always tell them to drink plenty of water beforehand and the day before. This makes veins plumper and easier to access. I also tell them to eat a well-balanced meal to prevent fainting. I ask them to wear layers or a short-sleeved shirt as well to make taking the sample easier for both of us."

"My greatest skills as a phlebotomist are my communication skills and my attention to detail. My communication skills help me comfort and reassure patients that may be scared, making the process easier for them. My attention to detail ensures that all samples are organised and I take them properly, eliminating mistakes in my work."

"If I couldn't find a vein to draw blood from, I would ask the patient to drink a glass of water and wait to see if that helps because dehydration can cause veins to be faint. If I still can't find a vein, I would apply a hot washcloth to the area or swing the patient's arm to encourage blood to enter the area. If both steps failed, I would ask one of my superiors to take a look."

"A sample tube should include the patient's personal information, including their full name and health card number. It should also include the date and time the sample was taken, as well as the phlebotomist's initial or signature."

 "I start by tying a tourniquet around the patient's arm, two to three inches above where I plan to puncture. Then, I disinfect the area and palpate the veins to find the best one to collect blood from. Once I find one, I insert the sterile syringe at a 15- to 30-degree angle and draw blood out, putting it into a sample tube. I remove the tourniquet then the needle, and bandage the puncture site."

 "One of the biggest challenges phlebotomists face is patients that are scared of needles or having their blood drawn. It can be a frightening experience for some, so I try to overcome this challenge by reassuring patients. I give them as much time as they need until they're ready, and be as gentle as possible when I draw blood. I want to create a positive experience for them so they aren't as scared next time."

 "I have been a phlebotomist for ten years, so I have worked with patients of every age, from newborns to the elderly. I am comfortable working with any patients, no matter how old or young, as I can easily adapt my approach to anyone."