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to both good business practices and comprehensive technical training. The websites for each certifying agency in turn list the schools accredited in phlebotomy within their jurisdiction. Some, but not all, of the states require certification for phlebotomists.
Each of the certifying agencies have slightly different standards, but the standards for a Registered Phlebotomy Technician with American Medical Technologists (AMT) are typical: in addition to a high school diploma or GED, the candidate will have 120 hours of accredited classroom training and at least 120 hours of practicum experience; or 1040 hours of work experience within the last three years in doing a wide variety of phlebotomy skills; or graduating from a phlebotomy program accredited from either the U.S. Department of Education or a regional accreditation agency. Some of the other accreditation agencies require a one year apprenticeship and a high school diploma at a minimum if the candidate has not gone through an accredited educational program.
Some of the topics of study for phlebotomists in training are:
- Anatomy and physiology, including the circulatory system, typical blood draw sites in the veins and arteries, and the composition of the blood
- Blood draw procedures (Drawing blood from the veins—venipuncture; from heels in the case of infants or adults with compromised veins; and from fingers.)
- Patient and technician safety procedures (Infection control; prevention of unprotected needle sticks; avoiding needle sticks to arteries and muscles.)
- Handling blood specimens and collection procedures
- Patient care
- Quality assurance
- Professional standards
- Patient privacy
- Hospital and clinic legal issues
These are the kinds of topics that will be included on the certification exam.
Certification stays in effect for three years. During that period of time the candidate must take continuing education credits in order to maintain the registration. The Phlebotomy Technician certified through the AMT, for example, must take 9 units of continuing education to recertify, including a unit on safety and two units on the area of work specialty.
Training and certification to become a phlebotomist leads to a great medical career without the time and expense required in many other medical fields. Students who have great manual dexterity, visual acuity, ability to stand for long periods of time, good organizational and people skills, an interest in medical science, but the lack of time or finances for medical school or nursing may find phlebotomy to be the perfect carreer choice.
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