Archive for the ‘Phlebotomy Certification’ Category
Certificated Phlebotomists Have a Bright Future
March 22nd, 2011 | 
Author: If you have the desire to become a certificated phlebotomist you will have the responsibility of taking blood from patients. You will not be responsible for analyzing the blood but you will be responsible for making certain it reaches the laboratory safely and in a timely manner. Although this may sound very basic it is known that there are times when one patients withdrawn blood is mislabeled with another patients blood. Obviously, this can cause a number of problems. Can you imagine if one of these patients is having blood drawn to determine if his testosterone is at an appropriate level and this blood is confused with another patient who is being tested for diabetes?
In order to become a phlebotomist you will need to complete a course consisting of different classes. Some of these programs last for as few as four months. Others require 24 months of attendance before certification is offered. Usually the shorter term programs are offered by vocational schools. The longer courses are generally found at community colleges where you will not only receive certification but you will also receive a degree. Just like with any other educational program the curriculum will vary from one school to another. You will study human anatomy, the techniques for withdrawing blood, laboratory procedures, and other similar courses.
If you are considering phlebotomy as a profession, aside from certification, you will also need some person skills. The most important of these is your ability to interact with people and help them to relax and feel comfortable. A phlebotomist deals with all types of personalities which means that some patients can be very difficult. When you are ready to withdraw blood you will extract it through the veins, arterial puncturing and drawing blood through the capillary bodies. This is why it is very important for the student to thoroughly understand the vein location, puncture point, as well as comfortable punctures.
If you decide you seek a certificate in phlebotomy you first need to determine that you will not become panic stricken by blood. If the site of blood causes you to become uneasy then you should most likely re-think your career choice. If you decide to become certified you will find that there are a variety of job options available. These options and new jobs are expected to grow in the future. Future phlebotomists will quickly learn that many employers not only look at certification but they are also interested in some training courses and schools over others. If you are thinking about working at a specific location then you might want to discuss this with a future employer before choosing the school you plan to attend.
It is suggested that you take several factors into consideration when reviewing the different programs available to you. One of these considerations is that the school you choose should be accredited or approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. You will also want to make certain that your future school uses materials and examinations that reflect on the CLSI standards. Finally, your future school should also qualify graduates for an examination through an external certification agency.
There are a number of recognized certifying agencies in the United State. Each agency sets their minimum requirements for certification. Among some of the top agencies you will find includes the American Certification Agency, the American Medical Technologists, and the National Center for Competency Testing. One agency, the American Certification Agency for Healthcare Professionals has two different types of certification they offer for phlebotomists. The first is phlebotomy technician and the other is the phlebotomy instructor. For certification in the first a student must complete 100 clinical hours, 100 successful venipunctures, along with 10 successful dermal punctures. The latter requires that the person has been certified as a phlebotomist. A candidate can also be a certified or registered RN or LPN. A candidate to be an instructor must have documented proof that s/he has successfully worked for a minimum of three years as a phlebotomist and have one year of teaching experience.
Certificated phlebotomists have a bright future. They also have a varied group of employers offering different settings. This can prove to be a highly satisfying profession.
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Phlebotomy Certification Exam
A phlebotomist is a medical practitioner who of draws blood from blood vessels and does other laboratory tests and procedures. American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certified phlebotomist is hired by most blood banks, hospitals or other blood collection health centers. To be a qualified phlebotomist, a person must take the phlebotomy certification exam. This exam can only be taken in the qualified and globally recognized licensing bodies like ASCP where clinical pathology is the main focus in the exam. The study of tissue samples and blood is called pathology and this study makes it possible for health practitioners to make definitive diagnosis of a disease.
To take the phlebotomy certification exam, a person should have undergone formal learning in phlebotomy and also received a good experience on practical part of the course. The courses that are taught in phlebotomy in classrooms include; anatomy, specimen collection, physiology specimen handling and processing, laboratory operations and also circulatory system. These are only few examples of the courses that a person should have done before taking the phlebotomy certification exam.
In any exam whether in classroom or in front of the board, a person should check out the previous study guide and also practical tests. These studies will prepare a person who is about to take the phlebotomy certification exam on what to expect in relation to actual questions on the exam. This exam will only test what the student already knows: laboratory procedures, and therefore should not create anxiety because it is done in front of a board.
Phlebotomy certification gives a person an added advantage when applying for a job. This certificate shows your employers that you are very qualified because you have met all requirements demanded by the most valued certifying bodies in medicine such as ASCP. Experience and standard of education is highly maintained by ASCP, this makes the certificate very important in your field of study and also employment. A phlebotomist who has ASCP certification earns more salary as compared to one who is not certified.
The other certifying bodies that a person who wants to take the phlebotomy certification exam should check out are: Association of Phlebotomy technicians and National Phlebotomy Association. For people who do not have any undergraduate degrees in phlebotomy, ASCP requires the following for a certification exam: graduation from High school, 40hours classroom learning of phlebotomy, 120 hours of practical work and 100 unaided, successful blood collections.
How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist
If you are interested in becoming a certified phlebotomist, begin by completing an approved training program in your area. As a rule, the coursework is divided into two or three sections, and you will be required to complete 40 hours of training that includes basic science and is non-technical. This is usually followed by 40 additional hours stressing practical experience in your chosen field.
What you can expect
The courses being offered locally will probably vary in length, and they are based on the related class schedules, which are designed to meet students’ needs. As a result, you can enroll in a six-week or full semester program, depending on whether you want to study on a full-time or part-time basis. (The latter option is usually preferred by those who have other responsibilities, such as part-time employment or caring for their children.)
In your search, you will find that schools offer a one-year program in which students are awarded a diploma, and a two-year program leading to an associate’s degree. In addition, while you can complete the first 40 hours of coursework online if that option appeals to you, find a program that enables you to set up the internship you need to fulfill the clinical requirements for certification.
Obtaining certification
Once you have completed your training, you will be able to take the examination required to become certified as a phlebotomist, which is required in Louisiana and California. The test is usually administered by one of three agencies that are recognized nationally by the medical profession—the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians, the American Society of Clinical Pathology and the National Phlebotomy Association. The written portion of the exam will test your knowledge of the science and ask you to explain the various procedures a phlebotomist should follow. To become certified, you may also need to complete a specified number of dermal and venipuncture procedures and a 200-hour internship spent working in a clinical practice.
Note that many hospitals will also want you to have a specified number of hours of on-the-job experience before you can assume the position of phlebotomist on their staff, and this possibility for advancement is frequently offered to their employees as well.
Phlebotomy Certification – Secure your future now!
A phlebotomist is a person who draws blood from the patients for medical testing or blood exchange. Like most of the medical professions, phlebotomy comes with rewarding wages and high employment prospects. However, in order to ensure a sound profession, phlebotomists are encouraged to undergo a certification course. Currently, only two states in United States, Louisiana and California, do not require certification. Although uncertified phlebotomists are widely employed, employers usually tend to look for certified phlebotomists, as it greatly reduces the risk of lawsuits in healthcare sector. Not only do certified phlebotomists get higher wages, their patients also trust them with their jobs.
There is a common misconception that phlebotomists are in fact nurses. Although some nurses can work as phlebotomists, nurses do not specialize in taking out blood. On the other hand, phlebotomists are only experts in drawing blood, unless they are trained for medical or health related tasks.
For all those who wish to excel in the medical field, acquiring a phlebotomy certification can be a useful step. However, in order to get a phlebotomy certification, one needs to enrol in phlebotomy courses first. In United States, there are currently ten institutes that certify the phlebotomists. Out of these, the most renowned are National Phlebotomy Association, The National Society of Clinical Pathology, and The Association of Phlebotomy Technicians.
Each institute has different pre-requisites for enrolment in the courses. Usually interested candidates need to have a high school diploma, single-handed blood transfusion experiences, certain classroom and training hours along with an internship certificate. However, the training period may differ, depending upon the course of study one adopts. For instance, a certification can be obtained in a few months, whereas, an associate degree in phlebotomy may require two years. Furthermore, the institutes follows separate curriculum that generally includes collecting of blood specimens, anatomy, basic laboratory training and detailed study of circulatory system. At the end of the term, the students are required to take a few tests that include a written examination with few demonstrations. Upon completion of the certification, the respective institutes help their students in acquiring internships at different places. Students can complete their required work hours in hospitals, private clinics or nursing homes.
Qualified phlebotomists can work in various fields including healthcare, nursing homes, medical laboratories, blood banks and hospitals. Although the phlebotomists are always in demand, an ordinary phlebotomist earns from $ 20,000 to $ 30,000 per annum. On the contrary, a qualified phlebotomist can easily make up to $ 50,000 or more in a single year.
How To Become A Certified Phlebotomy Technician
Phlebotomy technician are medical professionals who have been specifically trained in order to draw blood from patients so that tests can be conducted and blood donations made. A phlebotomist needs to know exactly how to safely and carefully draw blood.
At the same time they also need to be very good on and interpersonal level. Many people find it very difficult giving blood regardless of whether this is for donations or tests. As such, a phlebotomist needs to be able to make any patient feel at ease during the process.
In order to become a technician there are several stages that you need to go through. The first thing is to attend a proper training program in order to become fully certified. These programs can easily be found through colleges and technical schools. A regular curriculum is likely to incorporate lectures, lab hours, and also clinical rounds. Search around for some suitable schools in your area and consider various programs that you could take.
You may also be able to get trained online. These days it is becoming more and more popular for people to train as a phlebotomist through an online program. These provide flexibility for those who don’t necessarily have the time to commit to full-time study. Again, spend some time searching for relevant courses.
Once you have completed your training you will then need to start looking around for relevant jobs. You will be able to apply for jobs in labs, medical centres, hospitals, clinics, and all sorts of other medical facilities.
Now you need to determine your eligibility for becoming certified. Before anyone receives their phlebotomy certificate they will need to have completed either 12 months in a part-time capacity, or six months in a full-time capacity in the role. In addition you will also need to provide proof that you have completed a relevant training program.
The final stages to complete an exam so that you can become fully certified. Roughly 6 or 8 weeks after completing the exam you will be told about your results and will then receive your final certification. Once you have done this then you can look for full-time positions as a phlebotomist in the local area. It may well be that you continue in the current role that you have been taken up either in a full-time or part-time capacity before gaining full certification. If not, start searching for relevant opportunities elsewhere.