subject: Getting Your Phlebotomy Certification [print this page] If you want to become a phlebotomist, a certification is not a legal requirement in most states. Only California and Louisiana mandate a phebotomy certification in order to draw blood. With that being said, finding a phlebotomy job its much more difficulty if you are not certified, partially because you will be going up against those that have their certification and therefore already have a substantial advantage from and employers eyes.
A phlebotomist's main job is to draw blood from patients and collect medical samples. There are many employment options, including hospitals, private offices, blood banks and clinical laboratories. Demand for phlebotomy jobs is high, and is expected to increase for years to come.
Obtaining your phlebotomy certification requires you to attend one of many accredited colleges. As mentioned earlier, becoming certified is well worth the cost as it makes employment much easier. Your certification proves to employers that you have received education from a certified body, and that you have been educated accordingly.
There are currently only a handful of "certifying bodies" that overlook the standards required to obtain a phlebotomy certification. The most well know certifying bodies are ASCP, APT and NPA. Although similar, each organization has it's own special requirements that school must abide by. Certifications from all three bodies are well recognized and employers don't generally favor one more than the other. Some of the qualifications that differ from each organization include: - Number of hours of hands-on training required - Number of hours of classroom or online trainings required - High school course qualifications (ie. types of courses completed) - Completion of prerequisite courses Classroom and online training include anatomy, physiology, venipuncture, and lab lperations.
In addition to proper educational training, it is recommended that those interested in becoming a phlembotomist consider searching out positions as trainees or volunteers in hospitals or medical offices to gain prior experience. Undergoing practical training prior to attending formal education allows an edge to those searching for jobs in the field of phlembotomy following formal training. It also provides familiarity within a laboratory or hosgovernment economists predicted an increase in number of job positions in the field of phlembotomy over the next few years. Studies published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics have also demonstrated earnings for an average individual working within the phlembotomist field to be making upwards of $45, 840 annually.pital environment for those who do not otherwise have prior knowledge of medical practices, as well as policies or procedures. Writers employed by the College Board within the United States have noted that
