Phlebotomy programs prepare people to draw blood from patients' veins. Students learn about blood flow and bodily structures. They learn to puncture skin and veins to collect samples. They also learn safety procedures and record keeping.

With all its focus on drawing blood, phlebotomy may at first make you think of Dracula. But if you look at the bigger picture, you'll see that phlebotomists carry out the first step in a very important process: determining the health of a patient. Each sample of blood that a phlebotomist successfully collects is used to diagnose a disease, track the progress of a disease, or decide on a treatment. Dracula never did anything that useful!

As a student in this program, you learn different ways to collect blood. You learn to package and transport samples. You also learn to take patients' vital signs.

Also, if you've ever met someone with a fear of needles, you know that interpersonal skills can be very important in phlebotomy. For that reason, many programs also teach you to effectively communicate with people.

There are about 55 accredited programs in phlebotomy. These programs are offered by a variety of institutions, from degree-granting colleges and universities to proprietary schools and hospitals. You can earn a certificate, which usually takes about a semester to complete.