Essential Phlebotomy Career Training Programs and Requirements
Phlebotomists are an integral part of the clinical laboratory team. They specialize in drawing blood from patients using venipuncture and micro techniques, and then taking specimens to laboratories for testing. Most of them work in clinical laboratories, hospitals and doctors’ offices. What is great about phlebotomy is that it can be a stepping stone to other careers in health care. Depending on additional training or certification obtained, a phlebotomist can go on to become a head phlebotomist, nursing assistant, or even a doctor.
Phlebotomy Career Training Requirements
- Aspiring phlebotomy students must complete a high school education or its equivalent.
- They must have current immunizations and successfully pass a background check.
- They must complete a 6 to 10 week training program in venipuncture in preparation for entry-level positions.
- They must have adequate communication skills, so they can properly explain the procedure to patients and allay any concerns regarding venipuncture.
Formal Education
To enhance knowledge and skills, and have better chances of landing a higher position, phlebotomists should enroll in training programs accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. This type of formal education would normally lead to a certificate of completion. Unlike a regular training program, graduates of formal phlebotomy career training programs will be able to carry out all the tasks required of a phlebotomist, including making sample micro collections.
On-the-Job Training
A trainee phlebotomist can have on-the-job training in hospitals and health care agencies, if it is being offered. With theoretical and practical knowledge as part of the program, it will surely enable students to take blood from different patient groups, from children to elderly, understand the role of phlebotomy in the pathology department, and familiarize professional standards and codes of practice, among others.
Licenses and Certifications
Phlebotomy students must complete eligibility requirements and prepare for a certification examination. Several agencies offer such examination, including the American Medical Technologists, the National Health Career Association, and the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians.
Certificate of Completion in Phlebotomy
This is one certification every aspiring phlebotomist must have. The training program involved provides students the skills, training and clinical experience necessary for them to do their job well. This accredited phlebotomy training program includes 42 hours of classroom training, covering subjects in physiology, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, anatomy, medical terminology, and health care law. It also includes 120 hours of clinical experience that is obtained through various training sites. Students are given an opportunity to carry out various tasks, while being supervised by experienced technicians.
Workshops and Seminars
Joining workshop and seminars will prove beneficial for phlebotomists, regardless of where they are in their career. Many certifying agencies sponsor hands-on workshops to help students prepare for the certifying examination. The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, on the other hand, provide cross-training for phlebotomists, so they can advance to other career fields, such as drug collection specialist, paramedical insurance examiner or EKG technician.
Professional Development
Once phlebotomists acquire the training, knowledge, skills and certification required for the job, they can start working in various laboratories, clinics and other venues where their skills are needed. Prior work experience is usually not a requirement for entry-level positions, but it is important that phlebotomists acquire job-specific trainings while they are employed, so they can advance to supervisory and other higher positions.
It is also important that they maintain their certification, which could entail 5 to 6 hours of continuing education per year. Some certifying agencies, however, may only require a recertification fee and proof of current employment as a phlebotomist.
Programs and Requirements
Phlebotomists are an integral part of the clinical laboratory team. They specialize in drawing blood from patients using venipuncture and micro techniques, and then taking specimens to laboratories for testing. Most of them work in clinical laboratories, hospitals and doctors’ offices. What is great about phlebotomy is that it can be a stepping stone to other careers in health care. Depending on additional training or certification obtained, a phlebotomist can go on to become a head phlebotomist, nursing assistant, or even a doctor.
Phlebotomy Career Training Requirements
- Aspiring phlebotomy students must complete a high school education or its equivalent.
- They must have current immunizations and successfully pass a background check.
- They must complete a 6 to 10 week training program in venipuncture in preparation for entry-level positions.
- They must have adequate communication skills, so they can properly explain the procedure to patients and allay any concerns regarding venipuncture.
Formal Education
To enhance knowledge and skills, and have better chances of landing a higher position, phlebotomists should enroll in training programs accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. This type of formal education would normally lead to a certificate of completion. Unlike a regular training program, graduates of formal phlebotomy career training programs will be able to carry out all the tasks required of a phlebotomist, including making sample micro collections.
On-the-Job Training
A trainee phlebotomist can have on-the-job training in hospitals and health care agencies, if it is being offered. With theoretical and practical knowledge as part of the program, it will surely enable students to take blood from different patient groups, from children to elderly, understand the role of phlebotomy in the pathology department, and familiarize professional standards and codes of practice, among others.
Licenses and Certifications
Phlebotomy students must complete eligibility requirements and prepare for a certification examination. Several agencies offer such examination, including the American Medical Technologists, the National Health Career Association, and the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians.
Certificate of Completion in Phlebotomy
This is one certification every aspiring phlebotomist must have. The training program involved provides students the skills, training and clinical experience necessary for them to do their job well. This accredited phlebotomy training program includes 42 hours of classroom training, covering subjects in physiology, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, anatomy, medical terminology, and health care law. It also includes 120 hours of clinical experience that is obtained through various training sites. Students are given an opportunity to carry out various tasks, while being supervised by experienced technicians.
Workshops and Seminars
Joining workshop and seminars will prove beneficial for phlebotomists, regardless of where they are in their career. Many certifying agencies sponsor hands-on workshops to help students prepare for the certifying examination. The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, on the other hand, provide cross-training for phlebotomists, so they can advance to other career fields, such as drug collection specialist, paramedical insurance examiner or EKG technician.
Professional Development
Once phlebotomists acquire the training, knowledge, skills and certification required for the job, they can start working in various laboratories, clinics and other venues where their skills are needed. Prior work experience is usually not a requirement for entry-level positions, but it is important that phlebotomists acquire job-specific trainings while they are employed, so they can advance to supervisory and other higher positions.
It is also important that they maintain their certification, which could entail 5 to 6 hours of continuing education per year. Some certifying agencies, however, may only require a recertification fee and proof of current employment as a phlebotomist.
