Who is Eligible to be a Certified Phlebotomist?

Students who have met the requirements of one of the 10 possible organizations that certify them capable Phlebotomist have better outlooks on their careers then those who are not certified. They have better opportunities at finding employment at better institutions by being amongst the top of the resumes to be handed in and are likely to gain better pay and opportunities from the employer.

These institutions have their own standards as well before you can apply to be certified by them. They require things such as having to be re-certified at a later date and the need to continue your education to maintain being certified.

The Organizations that oversee Certification

There are many organizations that offer phlebotomy certification, but they all have their own set standards. Some are more reputable then others for different things in the field. For example, some of them set their standards to other institutions such as the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). When you go to pick which organization and program you are going to follow to gain certification, be sure to find one that is approved by Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Be sure that they follow the standards set by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. That they use the materials and give the proper exams that are representative of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute standards and qualifies students for a test through the external certification or phlebotomy certification industry.

They have the highest set of standards in the field, and are of a higher degree of recognition then others. Some institutions require this level of certification; it would be easier just to get the difficult part out of the way, then to have to worry about it later.

Standards Required to be Certified

There are ten agencies in the United States that are nationally recognized. These include but are not limited to the American Certification Agency, the American Medical Technologists, and the National Center for Competency Testing, the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the National Phlebotomy Association.

They all have a standard set of requirements to become a certified and recognized phlebotomy technician. They require things such as certain amounts of successful procedures such as a certain amount of time of work in a clinic setting, in the range of 100 to 120 hours or have completed at least 1,040 hours in a three year time frame.

They also require a certain amount of successful venipunctures, in the range of about 100 successful procedures as well as about 10 successful dermal punctures. Some states do vary in the amount of procedures before being able to have an opportunity to be certified. Some of the certifying institutions will provide an applicant with a guide book before attempting to become certified. They have other requirements that include having a high school diploma or G.E.D, and have graduated from an approved and recognized school or program that has educated them in the field of phlebotomy.

Benefits of being Certified

The process of becoming a certified phlebotomist may appear intimidating and out of hand when thinking about the process, but when it’s all laid out, it appears to be quite easier and less intimidating then it once was. Being a certified phlebotomist presents a person with more opportunities in the field for gaining a job and for advancement. Some states even require it, so it’s best to have it because you never know where you may end up, or when the laws of the state you occupy may change.