Phlebotomy Technicians are critical team members at hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and blood donor centers. As advancements in medical technology rise, it’s an especially exciting time to begin a career in this thriving field. Earning your Phlebotomy Technician Certification (CPT) certification can give employers confidence in your skills and abilities.
Hospitals, laboratories, and other employers have an increasing demand for phlebotomists.
Most seek, and many require professional certification. With a Phlebotomy Certification, CPT certification, you’ll have the credentials you need to set yourself apart from other applicants as you embark on a rewarding healthcare career. As more employers require phlebotomy certifications, a CPT will help improve your marketability in a growing and rewarding field.
As a Phlebotomy Technician, you may perform some or all of the following tasks:
If you’re interested in earning your certification, there are five widely-recognized certifying bodies through which you can become a certified phlebotomist:
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The process of becoming a phlebotomist can take a year or less to complete, depending on the education program and whether a student pursues national certification. A few states also have separate certification requirements for employment in that state, and this may make the process longer. Education programs can take from as little as eight weeks to less than a year to finish depending upon the school type and program in which students enroll. Programs at vocational schools may be quicker, whereas those at community colleges could take longer. Completing both the instructional and clinical hours of a program is essential to obtaining a certificate or diploma and then to finding employment. National certification is generally not required but can be helpful in obtaining employment
To be accepted into phlebotomy programs, students should have a high school diploma or a GED. In fact, most programs can be entered directly upon completing high school. A phlebotomy education typically takes a year or less to complete. Graduates receive a certificate or diploma. These programs, available through vocational schools and community colleges, include education in anatomy, medical terminology, and physiology. While certification is not required in all states, it does increase employability. California, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington do require phlebotomist to hold a certification. Continuing certification requirements will vary based on the organization that certification was initially obtained through. An annual fee and completion of continuing education are typical requirements.
In order to take your Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) exam, the ASCP offers seven routes to eligibility:
National Phlebotomy Association
The program you attend must include:
The NHA Phlebotomy Technician Certification exam fee is $105. To be eligible for the NHA exam, you’ll need to have successfully completed a training program within the past five years. You’ll need to have successfully performed the following procedures:
The NCCT offers three ways to earn your certification:
Before you can take the test, you’ll need:
In addition to the five phlebotomist certification agencies listed above, you can also receive your phlebotomist license from The American Medical Technologists, a non-profit certification agency.
To be eligible for the American Medical Technologists exam, which grants the designation of Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT), applicants must graduate from a phlebotomy program that includes a minimum of 120 didactic clock hours. The program should also be approved by the US Department of Education.
You must also have completed 1,040 hours of accepted work experience as a phlebotomy tech within the last three years.