Need advise

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I am not a nurse. I am a CNA. I am legally blind . I am wanting to become a medical assistant. I have to take and pass a phlebotomy class to get my certification. I am scared of this only class. With vision issues is there anyone out there that had this issue. I am worried about being able to see well enough to do the required sticks. You are welcome to email me at [email protected]

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I know this sounds strange...how legally blind are you? Are you able to be corrected enough to drive? I worked with a nurse for years that was legally bilnd not corrected....but with glasses and contancts she was fine....we worked ICU.

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That's a good question. I have a friend who is legally blind, but she notices little details about people (Is that a new gray hair?) that fully sighted people don't.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Gosh - I really don't to rain on anyone's parade, but I don't think that this do-able. Even if OP was able to successfully complete the training, employers are not going to hire her due increased liability - can imagine the patient's reaction to finding out that the problem may have been due to the fact that their phlebotomist was visually impaired? Highly likely to trigger an emotional 'lawyer-on-speed-dial' reaction.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I don't know. If she can see well enough to read orders she can see well enough to pick the right tubes etc and drawing blood is best done by palpation any way.

So, can you read and write with glasses? If so i would think you could do it.

If you are in danger of sticking their neck instead of their arm not so much.

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