Phlebotomy Courses

Phlebotomy Certification Courses – What Is Involved

Those who have phlebotomy courses and have gone on to write their phlebotomy certification are know as “phlebotomist’s”. They are responsible for drawing blood from patients a variety of different patients. This blood is then analyzed in a laboratory to help identify whether any health problems exist. The phlebotomist is not responsible for analyzing the blood, but must make sure that it reaches the laboratory in a safe and timely manor.

Phlebotomy Courses & Training

In order to become certified, one must complete a phlebotomy course. These courses can range from as little as 4 months all the way to 24 months long. The courses that are shorter in duration are offered through vocational schools, while the longer courses are offered through community colleges where you can obtain a degree upon completion. Although similar, phlebotomy course curriculum’s will vary slightly from school to school. All courses focus on human anatomy, blood drawing techniques, lab procedures and more. Expect both practical and theoretical teaching methods regardless of the course you choose.

Phlebotomy Certification

Upon graduation from one of these phlebotomy courses, the student can then write their certification exam and officially become a phlebotomist. Although it is still legal to work as a phlebotomist without a certification in 50 out of 52 states, finding employment without a certification is getting more difficult. This is because those that are hiring are expecting well qualified and trained applicants, and those without a certification will have a hard time “proving” that they have the necessary job skills. Before you attend a phlebotomy course, find out the specific requirements of your state by contacting your local department of health.

Simply put, the cost of a phlebotomy course will pay for it’s self since you will earn more money, and will also find it much easier to find employment.
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Benefits Of Online Phlebotomy Certification

Phlebotomists are healthcare workers that draw blood samples for analysis. Doctors use the results as an important diagnostic tool. Phlebotomists are knowledgeable of human anatomy and physiology, especially of the cardiovascular system. They receive specialized training and many choose to become certified technicians.

There are many benefits to obtaining one’s phlebotomy certification. Certification of practicing phlebotomy technicians is not required by law in the United States, except in California and Louisiana. However, the many employers of phlebotomists (including hospitals, private healthcare clinics, laboratories, and blood banks) choose only to hire certified phlebotomists. Having offline or online phlebotomy certification demonstrates that the phlebotomist has a thorough understanding of blood collection standards and protocols set by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Many phlebotomists acquire online phlebotomy certification.

Completing an online phlebotomy training program is not the equivalent of offline phlebotomy certification. To be eligible for offline and online phlebotomy certification, technicians must complete a phlebotomy training program. A program must be accredited to be recognized by certifying agencies and employers. Accreditation is awarded through the United States Department of Education, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NAACLS), or similar. Good training programs use the materials and guidelines set by the CLSI. Like many other training programs, phlebotomy training is available in a traditional classroom setting as well as online. Traditional programs, offered through community colleges, medical facilities, and career or vocational colleges, provide hours of classroom and hands-on clinical instruction. Choosing an online program can give the student the freedom to set their own schedule, which is especially beneficial for those working part or full time. However, it is important to select an online program that also provides clinical instruction or helps students set up internships. Hands-on experience is necessary to qualify for certification exams.
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Phlebotomy Test – What To Expect

While not all phlebotomists are required to be licensed, most employers do require that their resident has his or her phlebotomist certification. Generally it depends on the state that you reside in as to whether or not a Phlebotomist requires any formal training or licensing. Many Phlebotomists require only the skills they have learned while practicing on-the-job training; while others pursue a formal education in the area. In order to obtain proper certification however, the individual must complete a standardized Phlebotomy exam to be considered a qualified Phlebotomy professional.

The best method to passing any test, is ensure that one has prepared themselves well. As Phlebotomy profession focuses mainly on sample collecting and venipuncture, it is well advised to study these two topics as thoroughly as possible. As venipuncture is considered one of the most routinely carried out procedures, review the instructed methods of blood collecting, the techniques, and equipment involved. Recap theory and method information in great detail while studying and preparing. Information such as which veins which are most commonly used to collect the blood, (such as the median cubital vein), located on the anterior forearm, as well as the reason why this vein is the most commonly used, (due its close proximity to the skin), will make certain that the information you have studied prior to the exam will provide you with well rounded answers and background knowledge.

Develop a study guide to ensure that you cover all the material you feel you will need to know when completing the phlebotomy certification exam. As you study the information, this organizational tool will assist you in keeping track of which information you have already covered in your studying efforts, and which material you have yet to review.

Another useful tool to study for your phlebotomy test is the internet. There are several highly useful websites online, available at the touch of a button, that will give you prepared practice tests with a wide range of questions. This will help you test your knowledge before hand, and help you determine which areas of knowledge you might be weak in, so that you can study those particular areas harder. It will also prepare you for how the test may be formatted, and give you an idea of what format the real test questions may appear in, such as long answer, multiple choice, or a combination of both.

In addition to the internet, teleconferences can also be a wonderful preparation tool, and can be registered for and researched online. Educational teleconferences offered on the program guide of the American Society of Clinical Pathology, provides sessions discussing preparation strategies for the phlebotomy exam. They also offer a number of sessions covering laboratory operations and procedures.
Finally, other common methods of studying that may be useful are flashcards. Flashcards aid in repetition; generally, the more times you repetitively cover a subject, the more likely you are to remember it.

The passing grade for the standard phlebotomy test is 400 points, while the highest achievable score possible is 999 points. The difficulty level of each question will determine how many points it is worth, and the test also utilizes computer adaptive testing, meaning that for each question answered correctly, the following question will be a certain percent more difficult than the previous one. Studying and test preparation will play a key role in determining an individual’s final score outcome.

Phlebotomist Certification

Achieving certification as a phlebotomist acquires for an individual, an edge above others when applying for employment in their field. Remarkably, in every state in the United States, with the exceptions of California and Louisiana, one does not require certification as a phlebotomist in order to begin their career in their desired field.

Both Louisiana and California, state law commands that “all persons who are not doctors, nurses, or clinical lab scientists” to be licensed in order to draw blood from other human beings. However, while in most states certification in the field is not required, it is nearly impossible to obtain a job in the field without it.

While there are numerous institutions that offer training courses for phlebotomist certification, there are only three certifying bodies through which you can become certified.

Those three are:
1 – The American Society for Clinical Pathology
2 – The Association of Phlebotomy Technicians
3 – The National Phlebotomy Association

Each offer authentic certification for phlebotomists. Each certifying body is widely recognized and accepted.

In order to qualify for certification, an individual must meet specific criteria assigned by the certifying bodies, and obtain satisfactory phlebotomy training. While it is not clear as to whether any of these three bodies is more favorable than the other, the certification that can be granted by each greatly increases an individual’s ability to acquire employment throughout the United States.

Each of the three certifying bodies has its own specific set of requirements that must be met prior to certification. These qualifications follow a wide range, and differ in each certifying body but may include anything from specified numbers of completed venipunctures, to skin punctures, high school certification of graduation, specific number of classroom hours and hands on training, and prior existing membership to APT (Association of Phlebotomy Technicians).

Phlebotomy courses themselves, in order to qualify their graduates for certification, must meet certain criteria such as 200 hours of practical experience either with mannequins, clinical practicum or both, and the curriculum must meet the requirements of the National Phlebotomy Association. Some training courses for phlebotomy may focus more on training individuals for work, rather than for specifically for certification, and may then likewise not include all the required element for certification.

If the program you wish to attend does not meet the requirements, it is possible to obtain the additional experience in the field or volunteering at hospitals, nursing homes, or doctor’s offices.

Within phlebotomist certification, there also exists three specific designations. These three levels of certifcation are:
1 – Limited Phlebotomy Technician
2 – Phlebotomy Technician I
3 – Phlebotomy Technician II

To achieve each additional level, new training must be undertaken, and then the individual must apply for re-certification as a phlebotomist to include their new designation. Not all states require or recognize these additional segregations however, California and Louisiana are examples of states that do, and the recognition of these additional designations also increases an individual’s likelihood of acquiring employment.

Like many other similar fields of work, those that acquire training and employment in phlebotomy should also consider continuing training and upgrading their certification throughout their careers.

This is especially important for technicians, as medical equipment and methods of operating equipment may change regularly as technology adapts and changes. Seeking additional upgrade training and certification will maintain and possibly even enhance, an individual’s appeal to employers as the field grows and changes.

Phlebotomy Courses

Phlebotomy is a highly versatile and in-demand job. Every year in the state of Florida alone, approximately 236 jobs open up in the field of phlebotomy. However, many employers prefer to hire a certified phlebotomist with formal training, and like wise, a formal education in phlebotomy can become a highly desirable and profitable skill.

Phlebotomy is a highly versatile career. Phlebotomists have been known to find steady employment positions within hospitals, commercial laboratories, large medical offices, clinics, and blood banks. Occasionally, a phlebotomist may even have the opportunity to experience employment in a scientific field, such product development research, or marketing and sales of home care products.

However, to obtain the most highly desired positions as a phlebotomist, formal education is always an asset. Phlebotomy courses can vary in length of time depending on the preferences of the school, however, the training itself usually takes approximately between 150 to 230 hours. Courses may be available at local post-secondary schools, health facilities, trade or vocational schools, or community colleges.

Phlebotomy Curriculum

Curriculum’s for phlebotomy courses often include instruction on proper venipuncture techniques for both adults and babies, and other sample collection methods. Courses may also touch on proper bedside mannerisms and patient handling as well. Many courses for Phlebotomy are combined with training for additional specialized medical fields as well, such as Electrocardiogram, Lab or Ultrasound Technician training.

Phlebotomy training may also be included in training for other employment fields as well, such as nursing. Courses which may be included in phlebotomy training may include Anatomy and Physiology, Blood and cell composition, blood sampling procedures, laboratory safety, CPR, quality control, legal training, and computer training.

Choosing A Phlebotomy School

Once you have made the definite decision to enroll in a Phlebotomy Course, the next step is to choose which schooling institution you would like to attend and complete your course at.

When considering an institution, one should first think about its location. Take into consideration whether the school you would like to attend should be close to your current home or place of residence or if you would be open to the concept of relocation to find a better school. Also, time to completion should be taken into account as well. How long is the phlebotomy course you would like to attend, and consider how this length of time will affect your employment, or if you will have enough saved to live of without worrying about the length of the course.

Finally, the most important aspect of the course is the potential accreditation you will receive upon completion. Ensure that the eventual certification and accreditation you will receive will comply with the employment you intend to seek out once you have completed the course.

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