Phlebotomy

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[phlebotomy]Phlebotomy Certification

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Acuworld

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2020-07-15 09:08:48

Phlebotomy Certification
Believe it or not, you do not have to be certified in order to be a phlebotomist. California and Louisiana are the only states that require "all persons who are not doctors, nurses or clinical lab scientists" to be licensed in those states in order to draw blood. So under proper supervision, you can draw blood regardless of former experience or education in the remaining states; however, getting a phlebotomist job without certification is nearly impossible.
Certification gives you an edge when applying for a job. It tells your employer that you have met the requirements laid down by respected certifying bodies in your field. These certifying bodies maintain standards for education and experience. Once you meet these requirements, you are required to pass an exam as evidence of your basic knowledge of phlebotomy.
If you want to pursue your certification, there are three certifying bodies through which you can become a certified phlebotomist:
· <A href="http://www.ascp.org/">American Society for Clinical Pathology</A> 
· <A href="http://www.aspt.org/">Association of Phlebotomy Technicians</A> 
· <A href="http://www.nationalphlebotomy.org/">National Phlebotomy Association</A>
Each of these are acceptable, widely-recognized certifications.
Below are a few details about how to qualify for each:
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
For people without past experience, ASCP requires:
· High school graduation or equivalent 
· Completion of 40 classroom hours 
· 120 hands-on training hours 
· 100 successful, unaided blood collections 
Your classroom training must include anatomy, physiology or the circulatory system, specimen collection, specimen processing and handling, and laboratory operations. See the phlebotomy courses page for other courses that might be included in your training.
Another thing to note is that the ASCP specifies that the laboratory at which you intern must be regulated according to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988. This act was put into effect by the US Department of Health & Human Services to ensure quality laboratory testing across the United States.
The Association of Phlebotomy Technicians (APT)
For phlebotomy technicians with no prior work experience the requirements for certification through ASPT are:
· Completion of an accredited phlebotomy training program 
· 100 successful documented venipunctures 
· 5 successful skin punctures 
· A current membership to APT 
National Phlebotomy Association (NPA)
Similarly, without one year of prior experience as a phlebotomist, you need to attend a phlebotomy training program to qualify for certification through NPA.
The program you attend must include:
· Venipuncture techniques 
· A hands-on clinical practical internship 
· 160 classroom hours in addition to the clinical practical internship 
The entire course must equal 200 hours of practical experience either with mannequins or clinical practicum or a combination of both. Additionally, the program elements must meet the curriculum requirements of the National Phlebotomy Association.
When choosing a phlebotomy training program, find out if it meets the certification requirement of any of these associations. Also, ask if it includes an internship where you will get your required clinical practical experience.
Some programs prepare you for work as a phlebotomist rather than the certification exam. If the program you choose does not include a clinical practical internship or 200 hours, you can get this experience in the field by either finding employment or volunteering at hospitals, doctors'' offices or nursing homes before becoming certified. Working phlebotomists need 6 months full-time or 1 year part-time on the job before qualifying for certification.
Phlebotomists in California
There are three tiers of phlebotomist licensure in California which allow you to perform certain blood collection procedures:
· Limited Phlebotomy Technician – Skin puncture only 
· Certified Phlebotomy Technician I – Venipuncture and skin puncture 
· Certified Phlebotomy Technician II – Venipuncture, arterial puncture and skin puncture 
For the mid-level Certified Phlebotomy Technician I, requirements are:
· High school diploma or GED 
· 40 hours classroom instruction at an approved school 
· 40 hours practical training 
· 50 venipunctures 
· 10 skin punctures 
· Passing score on the state exam 
Certification requirements are more demanding. Fulfill those and becoming licensed in California will require only an additional application and a state exam.