Phlebotomy Certification Guide

A Phlebotomy technician‘s role in the health care field is an important one, since their main job is to draw patient’s blood for testing. They are employed in a number of different settings such as:

– Hospitals
– Private clinics
– Blood laboratories
– Blood banks
– Nursing homes

Demand for phlebotomy technician’s is high, and therefore those with the right credentials have little difficulty finding jobs.

Although only two states legally require that their applicants have a phlebotomy technician certification, very few institutions throughout the United States will hire those who are not certified. It should also be noted that those with certifications will earn a higher salary or hourly wage than those who are not. Fore these reasons, we recommend that anyone considering becoming a phlebotomy technician become certified.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologists and the American Society for Phlebotomy Technicians offer testing that awards the title Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) or Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) to those who pass. Certified phlebotomy technicians must obtain continuing education credits or complete certification management programs to maintain their status.

Phlebotomy Technician Responsibilities

In addition to a phlebotomist technician’s main duty of drawing patients blood, there are a number of other duties that are expected to be perform on a day to day basis.

Those additional duties include:

1. Labeling and storing blood samples, and transporting them to laboratories.

2. Monitoring patients’ blood pressure, pulse and respiratory readings.

3. Computer data entry and record keeping, entering patient information and blood testing results.

4. Clerical duties, such as reception work, answering the telephone, writing down requests for blood draws and cleaning/sterilizing equipment.

Since a phlebotomy technician will be interacting with patients on a daily basis, strong interpersonal skills are considered an asset.

Phlebotomy Technician Salary

The salary of a phlebotomy technician will depend on a number of factors, but will generally range from between $18,000 – $25,000. Hourly wage ranges from $8.00/hr – $12/hr. Full time workers that hold a certification will earn the most money.

Phlebotomy Technician Educational Requirements

Becoming a phlebotomy technician requires a high school diploma or equivalent and usually 6-8 months of specialized training, either on-the-job or through a formalized program. Online phlebotomy training is also a convenient and cost effective option that will allow you to obtain your certification without having to attend classes.

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.

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.

In developing third world nations, the most commonly used tools to collect blood are a needle and syringe. However, in western cultures, such as North America, certified phlebotomists use a wide array of phlebotomy supplies and tools. Through training courses, volunteering and work experience, a phlebotomist becomes highly familiar with all the tools of their trade, and how to operate them in a safe and highly hygienic, sterilized manner.

The amount of training a phlebotomist receives is dictated solely by the preference of the course they choose to attend. However, most phlebotomy courses provide between 150 to 230 hours of training, which, aside from a wide variety of course types and required skills, also demonstrates and teaches the aspiring phlebotomists how to properly utilize the tools they will be required to become accustomed to.

Phlebotomists are required to know how to operate properly as well as safely, use a wide array of equipment. Some of the most commonly utilized phlebotomy supplies are blood collections tubes and their various colored tops for corresponding meanings, needles and needle components, multiple draw needles, built in needle safety devices, butterfly needles, lancets, syringes, tourniquets, sterilization materials, bandaging materials, blood culture bottles, gloves, and disposal containers.

As the primary (though not only), task of most phlebotomists is collecting blood samples, the primary phlebotomy supplies are therefore a needle, and all its corresponding components.
There are many types of patients that a phlebotomist will be required to draw blood from, and just as there are many patients, there also exists just as many techniques by which to draw blood from each type of patient, as well as a special type of needle to accomplish the job. In the UK and US, most blood collection is done utilizing an evacuated tube system, consisting of a plastic hub, hypodermic needle, and a vacuum tube. Butterfly needles in conjunction with syringes are also commonly used.

However, just as important as the needle, is the method by which the used needles are disposed of and the equipment which corresponds with this task as well. Phlebotomy sterilization materials often include Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), often in prep pad form, povidone-iodine solution, and swabs.

Phlebotomists are also trained to utilize sharps disposal containers to dispose of used needles. These may be found in patient rooms, but may also be available on phlebotomy trays also. Phlebotomy trays are used to carry blood samples to a patient’s bedside and should be kept sanitized on a daily basis.

Sanitization of the trays is done using a 10% bleach solution or additional appropriate disinfectant. Finally, all phlebotomists are advised to wear gloves at all times. This limits the possible exposure to blood or other infectious body fluids, or contaminated items and surfaces.

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.