As you’re probably well aware, phlebotomy is the process of drawing blood samples from a patient, whether they are fully developed adults or infants, for the purposes of either performing blood analysis or blood transfusuions. In the United States of America, only two states require professional phlebotomy certification to practice phlebotomy; the other states have systems such as on-the-job training or short courses that you can take. However, as with any qualification or field that you may be involved in, those with higher accreditation and credentials are more likely to be looked upon more favourably by prospective employers. Therefore, it is a good idea to obtain professional phlebotomy certification is you wish perform phlebotomy of make a career out of it. Especially when you take into consideration the fact that the demand for phlebotomists is expected to grow at a rate greater than the national average over the next decade, it is not a bad idea to consider becoming a certified phlebotomist.
In order to gain phlebotomy certification, you will need to complete a course complete with its accompanying exams that is run by an accredited organisation. In the US, there are three organisations in particular that offer professional accreditation in this field. Firstly, there is the National Phlebotomy Association; the NPA was first established in 1978 and since then has gone on to provide thousands of people from many different locations with phlebotomy certification so that they can confidently, accurately and legally draw blood.
Another of the main phlebotomy certification organisations that exist is the American Society Of Phlebotomy Technicians. The ASPT have been around since 1983 and have also heled many people gain certification in phlebotomy. Unlike some of the other organisations and associations that offer certification, the Americas Society Of Phlebotomy Technicians require you to complete both a written assessment as well as a practical assessment in order to become an accredited phlebotomist; other organisations simply rely on assessing a written component. This practical section will ensure that the phlebotomist is well rounded and accurate and confident in their skills. More information can be found on the ASPT website.
The third main option for certification is to undertake assessment through the American Society For Clinical Pathology. The American Society For Clinical Pathology offers certification in a number of areas, phlebotomy included. They have a number of different routes that you can take in order to gain phlebotomy certification, each dependent on each individual’s level of experience and previous work. To apply for examination with the ASCP costs $125, which is a small price to pay considering you (hopefully) come out of it as a certified phlebotomist. More information can be found on this link to the ASCP website.
In conclusion, there are a few different options that you have to get certified. When choosing the option that suits you best it’s best to consider factors such as location, transport, cost and whether you wish to be assessed both practically and written or just through a written examination. Good luck with your phlebotomy certification.