RTC Phlebotomy Blog Continues on as Valuable Archive

       Although the RTC Phlebotomy Blog is no longer actively maintained, it still functions as an
        archive and valuable reference for students in the program and for those who are considering
        phlebotomy as a career.
          Clicking across the tabs at the top of the page, newcomers can find a welcoming page with a
        greeting by Simone's Avatar, a page of success stories about students that overcame a lot of
         barriers to complete the program.
          Students have access to CPR links, captioned in-service videos, lab skill practice activities
        and information about your background check and vaccinations.
        The QUIKLINX button board still contains many useful links and of course the blog itself is a
        repository of hundreds of student blood draws that can help students to learn and master the art
        of phlebotomy more quickly and efficiently.
        You can also find links to our YouTube "legacy projects," class-wide projects that were intended
        to highlight some skill or aspect of phlebotomy while allowing one class to "pay it forward" to
        an incoming class and share a phlebotomy technique or insight with new, aspiring phlebotomists.
        We hope you'll find this blog to be a useful resource, whether you are a teacher, student or
        hopeful newcomer!

__Welcome to Week Zero of the Spring 2014 Phlebotomy __Technician Program at RTC!

          Hello Everybody and Welcome to Week Zero of the           
          Spring 2014 Phlebotomy Technician Program at RTC!
          Welcome to Week Zero of Phlebotomy! where we gear up for our phlebotomy
          class!
          On behalf of Simone and myself, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all of our incoming students!

This is our Main Textbook

We will be using  Phlebotomy Essentials (5th Edition) by  Ruth E. McCall and Cathee M. Tankersley  (Available at the RTC Bookstore) You will also need to purchase these two texts: First Aid, CPR and AED Standard BLS for Healthcare Providers Student Manual       You will need these for CPR and 1st Aid While you're at the RTC Bookstore don't forget to pick up your scrubs. You'll need to get a red top and bottom and a white lab coat (or red smock). We usually get into the lab during the first week, so you'll want to get your scrubs soon!

We will be covering a lot of ground during this class and you might want to consider buying some flashcards (3x5 cards cut in half work nicely) because we’ll be memorizing a lot of new information every day! 

      Please click around our site and make yourselves at home. 

Also, be sure to check out our  

I-BEST Phlebotomy Blogs where you can learn about Cloud Computing, RTC Student e-Mail, Canvas (where your Grades and Assignments are stored) and Diversity at RTC plus have online access to the Phlebotomy Program course content. 

        

Fall 2013 Legacy Project Complete -- World Premiere Today!

     We don't always manage to complete a "legacy" project each term...    
     Sometimes we just get too busy and we don't have the resources... This term, however, with a great group that really pulled together, we were able to complete an unprecedented TWO PROJECTS! The first one (our "Caroling Project") was published a couple of weeks ago. 
     The latest one, which has some educational value, was published today and is intended to help incoming students master the ETS Order of Draw more easily, using music, mnemonics (Order of Draw Nails and, for the first time ever, Order of Draw Henna!) and other types of cues to help students retain the somewhat arbitrary order of draw.
     Special thanks to everyone who participated in the video production. 
Starting with    Simone, who fueled the day with a surprise breakfast, 
                          Our enthusiastic "guy students," who boldly stepped up to the 
                          plate (some wearing PPEs!) in the spirit of learning and 
                          solidarity, 
                          A barista, who had a cameo appearance fixing hot chocolate,
                          A nail "fashionista" who thrilled many students with her 
                          incredible "swirling" technique, and 
                          A henna artist who came out of nowhere to surprise and delight 
                          the class with a new mnemonic for learning Order of Draw!
                          A class of enthusiastic learners whose "can-do" attitude and 
                          perseverance carried them through the program. 
     On behalf of Simone and myself, I would like to thank everyone for all of the efforts you made in the face of a challenging quarter! 

     Next stop, Clinicals and then, 
THE WORLD!  

Go get 'em phlebotomists!

                        

Warmest Winter Wishes from the Phlebotomy Technician Program!

'Twas sometime before Christmas and throughout the school,
Students went caroling, but it was all cool...

12092013 Lab Activities

Just two days to go! We had a visit from the AT (Anaesthesia Tech)  students as well as Sarah Redd's Biology Class, who dropped by for blood typing.

Here are the videos and stills from today's lab sessions.

Hemophilia Care Kit

In phlebotomy, we learn a little about COAG studies, how blood clots, but did you know that there are close to 30 factors and substances that help the blood to clot? Did you also know that there are many types of hemophilia each dealing with some particular aspect of the condition that interferes with your blood's ability to clot?
The friend of a phlebotomy student lives with "Type D Moderate" hemophilia and has an infusion kit that he uses when his condition is triggered.

Here are some images of one such kit. It's fascinating to consider that we all rely on the clotting ability of our blood to survive and that the process is made up of dozens of different steps!




To read more about hemophilia in Simple English, check out this link!

Simple English Wikipedia on Hemophilia

12042013 Lab

I got a pretty good assortment of stills and videos today. Please go through these and try to determine what aspects were good and what were not....

12022013 Lab

Just two videos from today's lab session...

Enjoy!

Phlebotomy Career Paths

Here are some career paths you can consider with an education in phlebotomy.

11262013 Mr. Grant "Thrills" the Class with his A/V Shunt

RTC Outreach Coordinator David Grant paid the class a visit so that they could see and feel what an A/V shunt or fistula is like. A/V in this case stands for Arteriovenous and the shunt is where an artery and vein are joined together directly. Normally, arterial blood must pass through the capillaries before returning to the veins. In the case of Mr. Grant's left arm, the blood from one of his arteries goes directly back to the heart at high speed and pressure. The location of the shunt means that his pulse can be felt right at the surface of the skin. That pulse, or "thrill," is something to hear about and to feel! Be sure to watch the video of the students' impressions at the end of the slide show.


P.S. Good luck with your procedure tomorrow!


Thank you for visiting on such short notice today, Mr. Grant!

11262013 Family Phlebotomy Day

After Liliana's lecture, the class retired to the lab to see how procedures can be adapted for pediatric patients. We had patients ranging in age from 8 months to about 10 years old.




Thank you everyone for sharing this opportunity!

11262013 "Pre-Fessor" Liliana's In-Class Debut!

Today we had a "family day" in the classroom. Many of the students brought their children in and the students had a chance to practice pediatric procedures (without poking!) on small children.
We started the day with a guest presentation from Simone's Niece Liliana, who gave the class some pointers about proper vein survey palpation, tourniquet location, application and safety.
Thank you for visiting our class today Liliana!

11252013 In-Patient Draws

Today, we worked on in-patient draws, among other things. Here are a few of the draws that I got on video.

11222103 Order of Draw Nail Salon (Now with Henna, too!)

Today was a really fun day to end the week with! Simone brought breakfast for the whole class and we reviewed our order of draw by opening our in-class nail salon. One enterprising student (thank you Vilena!) had the idea to introduce henna hand/arm designs into the mix, so some students were sporting order of draw nails and henna!
It was a great day and I think some students even learned the order of draw while having a great time!

11212013 Lab Stills and Videos

Here are some of the stills and videos that I captured in the lab today.

11202013 Lab Activities

Today, we had a sort of "open lab" day. Industrious students were able to get as many as five draws!
We also saw several students earn their "500 μL" badges, our first "Teachable Moment" badge and a number of "Order of Draw" badges.
We will be coming up on the "25th Draw" badges soon as a class. Of course, if you were someone that drew five others today, you will be there pretty darn quick! Tomorrow, I hope to capture more of you on video. All in all, today was a super busy day...

11192013 Videos

Today we did Capillary Blood Draws (Fingersticks) in the morning and then butterly dorsals in the afternoon. Here are some videos...

11182013 Videos

As you can see in these videos, our skills as phlebotomists have really grown! Good thing, because we're now half-way through the program! Just three weeks left until we're done with the lab and theory portion...

11152013 Stills

Here are some stills taken from today's lab activities. Remember, if there's one that you like, you can download it and print it yourself!

11142013 First Aid Training Stills

Here are some stills of everyone practicing tying a sling and immobilizing a victim/patient's arm. CPR and First Aid training is an arduous process, but, when done correctly, it is a valuable skill set that will stand you in good stead for a career in Allied Health!