Where To Obtain Your Phlebotomy Certification

August 27th, 2010

Phlebotomy 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.

Nursing Or Phlebotomy Certification? You Make The Call

August 20th, 2010

Some of you that are considering Nursing as a career may also want to look in to phlebotomy. Becoming a phlebotomist takes less time, and the pay is still respectable. If you are unfamiliar with what a phlebotomist does, this article will explain everything you need to know.

Getting to be a phlebotomist is a worthwhile career. Phlebotomists would be professional medical care employees that will work together with individuals without the stresses that comes with being a medical doctor or nurse. Phlebotomists draw blood for examination, the results of which physicians use as an important diagnostic tool. Like all health care employees, getting to be a phlebotomist usually requires a solid education. Becoming a phlebotomist means learning and knowing human anatomy and physiology, blood collection skills, basic safety protocols, first aid and CPR.

Being a phlebotomist starts off with high school. Phlebotomists will have to possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Phlebotomists then go through a phlebotomy training program. Phlebotomy courses are often given by training colleges, many hospitals, on the internet, career and vocational schools. There are really three choices of phlebotomy courses: certification, associate, and bachelor’s degrees. Certificate training programs are the most common among students that have the intention of being a phlebotomist. Certification programs last 12 weeks on up to one year and will cost you $1500 to $3000 to finish. Associate and bachelors degrees need two to four years and cost five to ten times more than certificate programs. An individual serious about being a phlebotomist want to be certain to opt for a course which has already been recognized by the United states Department of Education, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NAACLS), or other agencies. Recognized or accredited courses match the specifications and regulations set by 2 very important institutes, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Becoming a phlebotomist does not conclude after graduating from a training course. Accreditation is actually the next step in learning to be a phlebotomist. Though not demanded by law of professional phlebotomists, other than in California and Louisiana, most employers probably won’t employ non-certified phlebotomists. Possession of certification usually means that the phlebotomist is totally educated with collection practices and techniques as well as standard procedures and protocols. Official certification is provided via ten nationally acknowledged certifying organizations. These organizations include the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), and the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA). Phlebotomists will have to make an application for official certification (which usually can be sent in online) then successfully pass a standardized exam.

People excited about a career in the health care industry should think about being a phlebotomist. There is definitely huge demand, as the health sector is constantly expanding due to an aging general public. For that matter, the US Bureau of Labor predicts a 14% boost in employment opportunities from 2006 to 2016. Phlebotomists earn an average hourly wage of $12.84 and an average annual income of $26,710. Many employers provide worker benefits to phlebotomists, including vacation, paid sick days and accessibility to healthcare and pension plans.

To conclude, for some of you Nursing will still be the right choice. But for others that think they may not want to attend school for up to 4 years, phlebotomy is an excellent alternative.