A phlebotomy training course is necessary to earn your certification as a phlebotomy technician and why. Find out why training and certification are important even if certification isn’t required in your state.
Surprisingly, only two states in the United States, California and Louisiana, require that people to have certification for phlebotomy, or the practice of drawing blood from patients for medical purposes. Because of this reason, candidates who have successfully completed a phlebotomy training program can apply to work as a phlebotomist in medical clinics and hospitals without a certification. Usually larger hospitals and medical clinics, however, hire phlebotomists who have certification from the three major entities, namely American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT), and National Phlebotomy Association (NPA). All of these associations require that candidates for the certification to have completed an accredited phlebotomy training course.
Upon the completion of a phlebotomy technician course, candidates would have fulfilled the requirement of successful hands on experience, which is also required as a qualification criterion for certification exam. The ASCP and ASPT specifically require candidates to have successfully collected 100 blood samples without aid, and all three associations ask for the completion of classroom hours. Because of such strict criteria and qualifications, it is important to seek out for phlebotomist classes that are accredited and endorsed by any of the three phlebotomy associations. The courses should include hours of practical experience, and also follow the recommended curriculum proposed by the associations.
Phlebotomy Training Course Prepares to be an Effective Phlebotomist
The key characteristic of an exceptional phlebotomist is to administer blood sampling with minimal pain and a comfortable ambience. Thus, there are largely two important aspects of a phlebotomist: Technical and Relational. Most accredited and reputable phlebotomy training course educates students the technical aspects of drawing blood. In the past few years, the equipments and technologies related to phlebotomy have greatly advanced. Thus, it is important that aspiring phlebotomists learn the details of novel methods to collect and preserve blood. Secondly, because phlebotomy is a medical practice, certified phlebotomists must have people skills to attend to the needs of patients. Drawing blood may be a unnerving and frightening experience for certain patients, and phlebotomists make sure that the procedure is completed safely and in a relaxing way.
Typically, phlebotomy training takes longer than 6 months, and shorter than a year. Community colleges and nursing schools offer classes regarding phlebotomy along with other courses as human anatomy, pathological analysis, and other related subjects. However, associate degrees or bachelor’s degrees are not a prerequisite to obtain a certification in phlebotomy, and training can be completed through a diploma.
Opinions on Online Phlebotomist Training
Through the advancement of the Internet speed and media software, aspiring phlebotomists can attend to online phlebotomy schools that offer web-based lectures. Online phlebotomist training has many advantages, including the ability to access lessons and lectures at any time for multiple times, and having an instructor continuously available on e-mail, phone, or instant messaging. Most reputable online courses provide details about how to perform a skin puncture, how to preserve and sample blood, and other required skills for a phlebotomist. However, online courses have a limitation in that students are not directly supervised for hands on experience in collecting blood. Thus, candidates should accompany online courses as a supplement to accredited in-class phlebotomy training course programs.
