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What You Need To Know About Phlebotomy Certification
Author : Preston Springate
Submitted : 2011-12-27 09:44:41 Word Count : 870 Popularity: 0
Tags: phlebotomy certification, certified phlebotomist, phlebotomy
If you are looking for a career that pays reasonably well, where you can be trained in a year or less and is in a fast-growing field, you need to know about becoming a phlebotomist and about phlebotomy certification.
A stable career with guaranteed growth
Is there a better field to be in these days than healthcare? We seriously doubt it. America's population is aging at an incredible rate. When people age, they just need more medical care. The healthcare bill recently passed by Congress has as its objective to make sure everyone in America is insured, which will increase the need for health care even more.
What is a phlebotomist anyway?
Phlebotomy is a medical term that describes the technique of collecting blood for sampling and testing. As you know, blood must be drawn from a patient for many diagnoses and during various examinations. It is a critical task in medical clinics, hospitals, doctors' offices, blood banks and nursing homes.
A phlebotomist typically draws blood samples from patients, prepares specimens for analysis in the laboratory, and verifies records. He or she typically conducts interviews, takes vital signs and draws and tests blood samples. To become a phlebotomist you must have a high school diploma or a GED and phlebotomy certification from a recognized association. You will rely on pre-established guidelines and instructions to perform your work and will work under immediate supervision. This can be a supervisor, manager, doctor, physician's assistant and so forth.
Phlebotomy certification
In past years, phlebotomy was something that people just picked up on the job. However today, most U.S. phlebotomists train for approximately two months to a year in a career center, trade school, hospital or medical school. Some chose to train at a community college where they then receive an Associates Degree.
Two obtain phlebotomy certification, you'll have to take and successfully pass an examination as administered by a recognized agency. Over 15,000 phlebotomists in all fifty states have been certified by The National Phlebotomy Association. It has 75 accredited teaching programs in universities, healthcare training institutes, colleges and hospitals nationwide.
In addition to the NPA, agencies that certify phlebotomy candidates include the American Credentialing Agency, the American Society for Clinical Pathologies Board of Certification, American Medical Technologists, the National Center for Competency Testing, and the National Healthcareer Association. However, it's a good idea to find out which certification is most highly regarded in your state or city. For example, many organizations that hire phlebotomists will require phlebotomy certification from the ASCP.
The examination that you will be required to take will consist of a number of multiple-choice questions. To pass the examination, you will need to have a thorough knowledge of venipuncture techniques, vein locations, how to draw blood in a way that is safe and comfortable, and specific puncture locations. You will also need to know human anatomy, particularly the anatomy of the circulatory system. In fact, there will most likely be a full section in the certification examination on these subjects.
How much you can earn as a certified phlebotomist
Phlebotomy is a well-paying career. In the United States, the median expected salary for a typical phlebotomist is $29,359. Do keep in mind that this is a median expected salary and actual salaries vary from state to state and even from city to city.
As you have read, being a phlebotomist virtually assures you of having a stable career in a growing field. It does require some training -- anywhere from a few months to a year -- but the training quickly pays off in the form of a good job in a growing industry.
Author's Resource Box
Visit PhlebotomyCertificationGuide.com to learn more about phlebotomy certification including information on phlebotomy training.
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