Although, in most states, it is not necessary to obtain certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, certification is always advisable. It can be very hard to find employment without certification, especially considering you are up against people who have put the time and effort into earning their phlebotomist certifications. There are many training programs available to you, but not all of them are created equal. In order to become certified as a phlebotomist, it is necessary that you complete a training program through an accredited phlebotomy school. Follow these instructions to find an accredited phlebotomy program:
Education Options
Many colleges, universities, and trade schools offer phlebotomist training programs, as well as a variety of online institutions. Regardless of which route you choose, verify with a school administrator that the program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Any phlebotomist training program accredited by the NAACLS will meet the curriculum requirements established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). These curriculum guidelines, which include courses in physiology, anatomy, medical terminology, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and healthcare law, will qualify you to practice as a phlebotomist.
Finding Phlebotomy Training Programs
An Internet search for accredited phlebotomist training programs will return a number of reputable schools that operate on an online basis, or that offer on-site instruction. Moreover, the NAACLS website has a searchable directory of over sixty national accredited phlebotomy training schools and, to find local schools, you may search the websites of any of the ten certifying agencies, which include American Medical Technologists (AMT), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), and the American Certification Agency (ACA), among others. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may call local doctors and hospitals and ask where they send their phlebotomists for training.
Local Preferences
In addition to finding accredited phlebotomist training, you need to make sure that your training program of choice is recognized by employers in your area. Before you enroll in a program and pay your fees, ask local medical professionals if the program in question will qualify you for employment.
Making the decision to become a phlebotomist is the easy part. Finding an accredited school, and choosing the right one for you, takes a bit more consideration. Ensure that all of the hard work you put into your education results in your ability to get certification and employment by following these tips for finding an accredited phlebotomy program.
