QualiTEST Recognises Phlebotomists in Guyana’s Health Sector
Five Donor Room Attendants from Regions 3, 4, 6 and 10 received four days of Phlebotomy Training at and in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service.
Within most healthcare facilities, there are dedicated personnel who are solely responsible for collecting and handling blood samples. These individuals are known as Phlebotomy Technicians or Phlebotomists.
They are the ambassadors of the laboratory, who provide critical contributions to accurate laboratory information leading to the accurate detection, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. They can be found working in all types of healthcare facilities including hospitals, outpatient care centres, doctor’s offices and long-term care facilities.
Acknowledging the importance of this profession, the American Medical Technologists (AMT) established Phlebotomists Recognition Week in 2019 to recognise and celebrate phlebotomists’ vital role in maintaining patient health and promoting lab efficiency and effectiveness.
This year Phlebotomists Recognition Week was observed February 17-21; a week also used to raise awareness of the profession.
Taking the lead, QualiTEST, which is well known for their allied health training services which include a Phlebotomy Technician course that prepares students for AMT Certification, kicked off the recognition week by providing training.
The week was concluded with a Meet & Mingle Event organized by QualiTEST on Friday, February 21, at Herdmanston Lodge.
The formal programme included addresses by GPHC Medical Laboratory Director, Dr. Pheona Mohamed on the role of phlebotomy within the Central Medical Laboratory and a representative on behalf of Joyce Whyte-Chin, National Coordinator, Medical Laboratory Services of the Ministry of Public Health on the role of the phlebotomist within the preanalytical phase of laboratory testing.
Additionally, Nolan Hawke emphasised the importance of certification and the phlebotomist, followed by Davon VanVeen who spoke on membership of phlebotomists with the Medical Technology Association of Guyana.
Guest of honour, Dr. Patricee Douglas delivered the feature address on behalf of Minister of Public Health, the Honourable Volda Lawrence. In her charge to the phlebotomists, the minister encouraged them to conduct their duties to the best of their abilities.
Concluding the event, Phlebotomists from the National Blood Transfusion Service, National Medical Laboratory Services, Guyana Public Hospital Corporation, and QualiTEST were recognised with awards for over 10 years of service, those who perform phlebotomy in 38 health centres across Region 4, and certificates. Also, one lucky attendee received a fully paid tuition prize for a Phlebotomy Technician course from QualiTEST valued at more than $200, 000 GYD.
QualiTEST thanks all phlebotomists for their role they in health care and all persons and health care institutions who contributed and participated in the week’s activities especially MEDITRON who assisted through sponsorship for the event.
Note: Phlebotomy is a common medical procedure that involves collecting blood specimens from a patient’s body. Blood analysis is an extremely important part of diagnosing, monitoring, and treating a variety of medical conditions.