"As a phlebotomist, I try to engage every patient that I come in contact with and need to get a draw on. First, I introduce myself and explain who I am to them. I then ask how they are and how they are feeling today and listen for cues on their overall health and well being. Knowing I am about to draw blood, I find that patients that have had issues drawing in the past will talk about that and I can at least have a heads up that I may be in for a tough stick and maybe hear the best place they have had success in the past. During the time I'm drawing, I'm talking to the patient and remain opening to any feedback that they have to see if they are in pain or feeling good."

"While lab tests, blood pressure and vital signs can tell a lot about a patient at any given time, nothing is more important than the words that come out of their mouth about how they are feeling. When I am with a patient, two way dialogue is extremely important. On my end, it is important that I introduce myself and explain what I am doing with them at that given time to help build a trust with them. Once I do this, I am hopeful that the patient will open up to me when I begin asking questions on their current state. When they talk, I use reflective listening skills to ensure that I am hearing and understanding exactly what they are saying."