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What Things Are Covered In Phlebotomy Training Courses?

Health care workers who would like to improve their careers might want to consider taking up a phlebotomy training program in preparation for becoming certified professionals. What are the things usually covered in a training program?

In the past, phlebotomy certification was not a requisite for career advancement. It was only a process learned by medical workers on the job. However, as the health care industry began to grow, doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners had new responsibilities that took away the time they were supposed to allocate for blood testing. This particular procedure was left in the hands of allied health workers, the phlebotomists.

These days, allied health workers take up phlebotomy training in order to enhance their chances of being chosen by prospective employers in health care institutions. It cannot also be denied that those who possess the appropriate certification are usually better compensated as compared to their uncertified colleagues.

In the United States, phlebotomy certification can usually be obtained from any of three major certifying agencies, namely, the National Phlebotomy Association, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, and the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians.

These agencies help aspiring candidates obtain necessary certification. All entities provide specialized training and classroom lessons that help raise an individuals chance of passing the certifying examination for phlebotomy.

Even if these agencies have different training curricula, they all help boost a practitioners knowledge about anatomy and various venipuncture techniques. Furthermore, there are also lessons on people interaction, considering that phlebotomy is an invasive procedure that can make patients feel uncomfortable or even scared.

Undergoing training will require an individual to log in a prescribed number of hours for classroom lessons and for hands-on clinical internship. The number of hours required will vary among the three agencies. Furthermore, the individual working toward a certification will have to accumulate a specified number of unaided bloodletting in order to complete their coursework.

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Requirements for Phlebotomy Certification

What are the Requirements for Phlebotomy Certification?

The requirements to earn phlebotomy certification depend on the type of certification you wish to obtain. Not all states are the what are the requirements to be a phlebotomist are the same, but if you live in a state where there is more than 1 type of phlebotomy certification, then you need to be aware of the requirements for each type. For the purpose of this article, we are using California as our example.

 

In California we have the following types of phlebotomists:

  • Limited Phlebotomy Technician – Skin puncture blood collection only
  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician I – Venipuncture and skin punctures
  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician II – Arterial puncture, venipuncture, and skin punctures

Each type of phlebotomist has its own requirements. Remember, the following requirements are for California. Each state has its own levels of phlebotomy certification with their respective requirements. These are the current requirements for California. Additionally, all of these types require that you have high school diploma or its equivalent like a GED.

Limited Phlebotomy Technician

To receive certification for Limited Phlebotomy Technician, you will need to complete 20 hours of a basic training course. The training course must be one that is approved by the state. So before you sign up, verify that it is state-approved. You must also perform 25 successful skin punctures on real patients. These procedures must be done either as part of the training course or on the job.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician I

There are three types that California recognizes for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician I: Those with no experience, those with less than 1040 hours of experience, and those with 1040 hours or more with experience. Let’s examine the differences for requirements:

Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (without experience)

If you have no job experience, you are required to complete 20 hours of basic classes, 20 hours of advanced classes, 40 hours of practical training (this must be done in a clinical setting), and you must successfully perform 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (less than 1040 hours of experience)

If you have less than 1040 hours of experience, your requirements are similar to those with no experience, with the exception that you are not required to have 40 hours of training in a clinical setting. You will need to attend 20 hours of basic classes and 20 hours of advanced ones. And you must perform 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (1040 hours of experience or more)

Your requirements if you have 1040 hours of experience or more are lighter than the other types of Certified Phlebotomy Technician I . It’s easy to see why. Because you have so much on the job training, it is assumed you know what you are doing. You don’t need to take any basic classes, but you will need to take 20 hours of advanced classes and you must complete 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician II

This is the top level phlebotomist. To earn certification you must complete 20 hours of advanced classes during your training. And under the guidance of a licensed MD, PA, RN, CLB, CLS, or RCP, you must successfully complete 20 arterial punctures, in addition to the 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures.

Where to Get Phlebotomy Certification

Where to Get Phlebotomy Certification?

Where to get your phlebotomy certification depends on the state. Each state has its own governing agency that regulates thewhere to get phlebotomy certification phlebotomy profession. This agency likely regulates other health professions that are similar. It is this agency that approves of training programs and exams. Therefore, before signing up for a class, make sure it is on the approved list.

If you want to be certified, you need to take care of any requirements that are expected of you to be completed. The process is multi-tiered, and it usually looks like this:

  • Prerequisites
  • Training
  • Exam
  • Application
  • Prerequisites

Prerequisites are anything that must be completed before you can begin your training program. This includes having a high school diploma. If you don’t have a high school diploma, you will need its equivalent, such as a GED. If you received your education outside of the United States you will need to submit your diploma or a document at least equivalent to a high school diploma to AACRAO for evaluation, or submit an official translation of the foreign transcript. The training class may not request the prerequisite, but the state agency certainly will if it’s required.

Training

With your prerequisites in order, you should start look for a phlebotomy course to enroll in. But do not sign up for just any class. You need to check if the class you are interested in singing up for is approved by the state. Each state provides an up-to-date list of programs that are approved. Make sure the class is on the list.

Training varies from state to state. There is no national regulation of the profession, so each state determines its own requirements for students to complete. Some programs are longer than others, and some will be more comprehensive.

To give you an example, California’s phlebotomy training program is multi-tiered. Each type of technician has its own class and practical training requirements

  • Limited Phlebotomy Technician
  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician I
  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician II

Students in the Limited Phlebotomy Technician program must complete 20 hours of basic classes and 25 successful skin punctures.

Those in the Certified Phlebotomy Technician I program are required to do, not only 20 hours of basic classes, but 20 also hours of advanced classes. They are only required to do 10 successful skin punctures, but they must also do 50 venipunctures.

If you are in the Certified Phlebotomy Technician II program, you do not have to take basic classes, but you must do the 20 hours of advanced classes. Like Technician I, you must do 10 skin punctures and 50 venipunctures, and additionally you must complete 20 arterial punctures.

Exam

At the end of your training course, you are eligible to sit down and take the exam. Just as states regulate which classes are approved, they also approve of the certifying organizations to give exams. Although the states approve of the organizations, your potential employer may favor one over the others.

Application

After you have passed the exam, you may not apply for your certification with your state. Each state has a particular department or agency in charge. You are expected to apply through them. The application process consists of furnishing the following:

  • Submitting copy of high school diploma (or its equivalent)
  • Certificate of completion of training program
  • Certificate of completion of exam
  • Documentation of punctures (skin, venipunctures, arterial) if applicable
  • Application fee

Once everything has been submitted, including the fee, your application will be processed. If everything is successful, you can expect to receive your certificate certifying your position as a phlebotomist.

Phlebotomy Certification Online

Phlebotomy Certification Online: What to Expect from Web-based Courses

Online phlebotomy certification is the answer for busybodies who want to start a career as phlebotomists but are too busy to go to traditional school.

A certification course online spells convenience for individuals who cannot attend a classroom set-up. Online courses have a hands-on training for practical component of the course because the field of phlebotomy requires both theory and skills. Although classroom time is less in online courses, the programs offered online are extensive and as comprehensive as those offered in college. Online programs include modules in anatomy, physiology and laboratory methods such as venipuncture. Reading materials are usually provided as well as media-instructions via video clips or live chats for interactive learning. Minimum hands-on hours are still required for students who are enrolled in a certification program online before they can graduate.

Most schools and online training programs require a high school diploma before enrollment in any course. Applicants are also encouraged to do volunteer work in a blood clinic or any form of laboratory work to increase their chances of acceptance in a phlebotomy program. It is also important to choose a program that is accredited since most employers hire graduates from recognized institutions over programs that do not meet the standards of any national certifying organization. Online phlebotomy certification programs and diploma courses can be finished in 3 months while associate programs in phlebotomy can take up to 18 months. If you are serious about a career in phlebotomy then a college degree can take generally 2 years to finish.

After you obtain a phlebotomy certification online, there are many job opportunities for phlebotomists in a variety of settings which include hospitals, blood banks, private clinics and research laboratories.

If you think you are too busy to go back to school then it is best to consider an online phlebotomy certification course. Whatever schedule you have, you can view materials in your own time and convenience. Studying online while keeping a full-time job is possible with web-based courses. Get your phlebotomy certification online now – it’s convenient, comprehensive and extensive.

Phlebotomy License

In order to obtain your Phlebotomy certification which then results in the candidate being issued with their Phlebotomy License, an examination has to be written and passed. Whoever conducts this examination, the state you live in or the US government, it is proof that a qualified Phlebotomist will be allowed to practice as a certified Phlebotomist. Not all US states insist in this certification, but in California – they are very strict – no license, no practice, no work.

The Importance of being a Licensed Phlebotomist

Whether the Phlebotomy study course took a year or 6 months to complete, or maybe even a 4 year long and involved degree, a license is required to show that you have reached the required standard to become a practicing Phlebotomist. Skill and experience are not enough – understand that very clearly. An uncertified Phlebotomist will not progress very well in her career as there will be this continual doubt in the employers mind about just how she qualified…

If medical science is your favorite subject, and a lot of interest is shown over the last year or so in the Phlebotomy career, then perhaps that is the path for you to follow. There are plenty of ‘on-the-job’ training courses with the emphasis on the practical nature of the job itself. And at the end of the course, find out about the certification examination and make sure the exam is taken and passed.

Without a license, mistakes can be made and they can turn into a very big issue for you if you are not protected by your license and you have no recourse to any backup from the accreditation agency. By not having a license, a person leaves himself wide open to be sued for malpractice suits and that is something really worth avoiding so early in a career.

How to Get a Phlebotomy License?

What is the procedure to follow to get a Phlebotomy license? Well, whatever school you are studying at, you have to complete the minimum number of courses they require for Phlebotomy certification. The study course must have met the Health Department guidelines set out in that State. A year or so of experience helps expand the knowledge base. States all differ in their expectations of students qualifications, but the norm is around 1 000 hours of work as a Phlebotomist in the laboratory. This counts very well towards one’s license requirements.

There are many certification schools around and agencies online who offer certification courses. At the end of it, a written examination takes place, as well as a demonstration of skills of what has been learnt and whether it has been put into practice successfully or not.

These practical skills are listed here for ease of referral:

  • preparing the patient before blood extraction / bedside manner
  • both techniques have to be demonstrated – i.e venipuncture and arterial puncture
  • quality of care shown to the patient during and after the procedure
  • methods of safety while delivering the samples to the lab, and processing the blood samples or bodily fluids specimen
  • preventative procedures used against infectious diseases
  • discuss the ethics and legalities involved in phlebotomy
  • show the quality assurance techniques used in the labs
  • show how to use the materials and reagents in the lab

If all of these points are carried out 100% correctly, the candidate is extremely deserving of his or her Phlebotomy license.

Phlebotomy Licensing Institutions

As we know by now, only 2 states require licensed Phlebotomists, but it certainly gives you a better start in the job market. The person employing a Phlebotomist with a license can be assured that they are getting a very competent member of staff – and that’s the whole point. The candidate is rated by an international or national organization and that puts employer’s minds at rest. That is why these institutions exist – to implement and carry out regulatory checks and to have an acceptable norm in the industry with which to compare applicants.

Places such as The American Society for Clinical Pathology, the National Phlebotomy Association and the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians all adhere to these standard norms and principles.

Phlebotomy Certification Courses

Phlebotomy Certification Courses: Get Your Phlebotomy Certification Online Today

In the medical field, phlebotomy is the procedure of blood getting from a patient for analysis, treatment and transfusion. To become a phlebotomist, one needs to go through specialized training and obtain a phlebotomy certification in order to put their knowledge into practice. A certification is a guarantee that a medical practitioner is qualified to practice blood extraction. This certificate will be recognized by laboratories, clinics and hospitals when they employ a competent phlebotomist.

Phlebotomy Certification

Why is there a need for phlebotomy certification? This medical certification will be your badge when you want to practice blood collection in hospitals and medical laboratories or even in clinics. This is a basic requirement before you can actually practice blood collection.

When you attend a phlebotomy training school you take courses that will help you in the practice and once you finish the program you will be awarded a phlebotomy certification that will be the proof of your competency and credibility.

There are two ways of obtaining a phlebotomy certification: first is to enroll in a phlebotomy training school and the other one is to get practical training and experience. Training includes 40 hours of medical classes, 120 hours of training experience and 100 cases of blood extractions.

People who were able to obtain a year of experience can also avail of this certification by attending training programs that will qualify them for the blood collection. The training program includes the strategies of venipuncture, 160 hours of classes and practical training.

The phlebotomy training courses include anatomy, psychology, physiology and strategies of dealing with all kinds of patients. This training will make a big difference in the practice of blood collection.

A phlebotomy certification is also very important for clinics, laboratories and hospitals because it will help them determine whether you will be an asset or liability to the organization. A certified phlebotomist will guarantee a well-defined blood letting procedure compared to one who has no certification. It is your license to the medical field that you can perform actual blood letting because you are certified.

This is also your way of being competitive in the medical field because once you have a phlebotomy certificate you have an edge over those who have none. Hospitals and laboratories will surely hire competent and well-trained individuals backed up by a certificate.

A phlebotomy certification will be issued to a medical person who had finished a phlebotomy training course and programs and had passed the exam. When you avail of a training program in a certain school make sure that the institution is accredited by National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science and adheres to the standards and requirements of the agency.

Without a phlebotomy certification you will put the hospital, clinic or laboratory you are working with in jeopardy because any minor error you commit during blood collection can actually bring a lawsuit to the organization. Meeting the requirements for a certification will require hard work and dedication but once you acquire one you are guaranteed of a medical career that will give you an edge in the medical field.

Phlebotomy Training Education and Schools

The act of making an incision in the veins is called Phlebotomy and the person who does the venipuncture job is called a Phlebotomist. They are trained individuals who extract blood aseptically from the veins for diagnostic purposes. They commonly use intravenous catheters, syringes, evacuated collection tubes and other blood collection devices to draw blood in the laboratory, emergency rooms and in the room of patient per doctor’s order. Basically a phlebotomist collects blood specimen to help the doctors in determining the current status of the patient. Being a phlebotomist is a very risky job because they work around bloods and other specimen which makes them more exposed to blood diseases like HIV, AIDS, STD and Hepatitis B. That is why proper training is essential, not just for the patient’s safety but also for the phlebotomist himself.

Demand of Phlebotomy as a Course

Phlebotomy today is quite in demand because of the increasing number of people with disease and illness. Many people are now seeking medical assistance in every sign of physical and unnatural changes they feel in their body. Since a phlebotomist is the one responsible in getting blood samples for diagnostic purposes they are very much needed in hospitals, clinics, laboratories and companies who are into research studies. Due to this demand a lot of schools all over the U.S is opening and offering the training course program.

How to Become a Phlebotomist?

To become a certified phlebotomist the candidate must first finish a formal training course program for a recognized school or institution that offers the said program. The common requirements for the certification are: GED certificate or High School diploma, legal age to work, no criminal records or history of drugs and substance abuse, must be physically and mentally fit and completed the training program from a school accredited by the American Society for Clinical Pathology or the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians or the National Phlebotomy Association. A Phlebotomy certificate will be issued once the candidate passes the Phlebotomy Technician Examination.

Job Opportunities in the Field of Phlebotomy

Once an individual holds a Phlebotomy certification, doors will be open for employment and a bright future waits ahead. A phlebotomist usually works in the hospital laboratories and pathology department, doctor’s private clinic, diagnostic centers, community health homes and other private institutions where their services are needed. Many employers seek for a phlebotomist with great work ethics, responsible, keen observer, alert, critical thinker, steady hands and able to talk to the patient with gentleness and calmness. A good characteristic and attitude towards your work is needed to be successful in your job.

Salary Expectations of a Certified Phlebotomist

The salary of a Phlebotomist would vary from state to state, depending on the population of the area or the wage offer of the institution. The lowest annual salary based on the latest statistics is around 24,000 dollars and the highest is 29,000 dollars for an entry level phlebotomist. But once they have gained experience and more seminars and training, the yearly wage would most likely increase from 35,000 dollars to 37,000 dollars. That state that offers the biggest compensation is in New York and California while the lowest is in the state of Georgia. Nonetheless a phlebotomist earns decently.