Where To Obtain Your Phlebotomy Certification
August 27th, 2010Phlebotomy is an excellent alternative to nursing. The pay is reasonable, and phlebotomy certification can be accomplished in as little as 8-12 months. This article will explain more about how and where you can get your certification…
First, when determining on a reasonable phlebotomy program , look for an organization that is accredited or approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), uses materials and examinations that reflect CLSI standards, and qualifies graduates for an test through an external certification agency.
Currently, there are ten phlebotomy certification organizations in the USA. The most well know certifying bodies are ASCP and NPA, however, there are a number of others that should not be overlooked such as ACT, NPA and ACA. Each certifying body has it’s own requirements for phlebotomy certification.
The American Certification Agency (ACA) for Healthcare Professionals offers two types of certification for phlebotomists; phlebotomy techs and phlebotomy instructors. In order to qualify for the phlebotomist examination, one hundred hours of on-hands phlebotomy training must have been completed (this includes one hundred successful venipunctures and 10 dermal punctures). Obtaining your phlebotomy certification isn’t as easy as writing an exam online. You must also pass a practical test where actual job duties must be performed on patients. A phleobtomy certificate is required in order to apply to be a phlebotomy instructor. No written exam is required; but applicants must provide 3 years of blood drawing experience in addition to 1 year of teaching experience.
Those interested in obtaining their certificate for phlebotomy can receive it through AMT. Applicants must have attended a phlebotomy course commissioned by the US Department of Education, a program accredited by the Regional Accrediting Commission, a phlebotomy program consisting of 120 hours of instruction and 120 hours of clinical work, or have completed at least 1,040 hours of acceptable work experience within a three year period. The applicant must also have performed at least fifty venipunctures and 25 skin punctures. In order to make certification easier, AMT offers a number different manuals and reference material to their applicants.
Two certifications can be obtained from NCCT; standard phlebotomy certification, and donor phlebotomy certification. Both certification types necessitate the applicant to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Phlebotomy applicants must be graduates of an approved phlebotomy program or possess one year of experience. The NCCT also requires a phlebotomy performance form. Due to state laws, California and Louisiana require additional forms. The requirements of donor phlebotomist certifications are slightly different than traditional phlebotomist certification. In order to qualify for this exam, you must possess 6 months donor experience and eighty successful donor collections. In order to apply for an NCCT phlebotomy certification, you can either submit their form online, or print if off and mail it in.