If you want to turn into a phlebotomist, a certification is not a legal requirement in many states. Only California and Louisiana mandate a phebotomy certification in order for a phlebotomist to draw blood. With that being said, finding a phlebotomy job its a lot more difficulty if you are not certified, partially because you are going to be going up against people with their certification and thus already have a considerable advantage from and employers eyes.
Phlebotomy is a career within the field of clinical technology. Phlebotomists are professionals trained to draw blood and collect medical samples in safe and hygienic manners for analysis. Phlebotomists often work in clinical laboratories, hospitals, and medical offices; it's really a highly desired career that has a bright, stable and rewarding future.
Obtaining your phlebotomy certification requires you to attend one of the accredited colleges. As mentioned previously, becoming certified is well worth the cost simply because it makes employment less difficult. Your certification proves to employers that you have received education from a certified body, and that you have been educated accordingly.
There are three certifying bodies presiding over the education standards within phlebotomy including the American Society for Clinical Pathology, Association of Phlebotomy Technicians, and the National Phlebotomy Association. Each of the three societies or associations have their very specific requirements that schools and institutions must comply with, though certification through each is widely accepted, and recognized throughout the United States. Qualifying details include specific numbers of hours of hands-on as well as classroom training, specific high school acceptance qualifications, certain amounts of unaided blood collections, memberships to particular agencies, or completing prerequisite courses.
Classroom training itself may include courses in anatomy, physiology, circulatory systems, specimen collection, and laboratory operations. The governing societies and associations may also specify certain requirements regarding standards for laboratories in which practical training is accomplished, including, though not limited to laboratory conformation on the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988.
In addition to proper educational training, our recommendation is that those interested in becoming a phlebotomist consider searching out positions as trainees or volunteers in hospitals or medical offices to achieve prior experience. Undergoing practical training prior to attending formal education allows an edge to individuals searching for jobs in the field of phlebotomy following formal training. It also provides familiarity within a laboratory or hospital apparatus. The government economists predicted an increase in quantity of job positions in the area of phlebotomy on the years to come. Studies published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also have demonstrated earnings for an average individual working within the phlebotomist field to be making upwards of $45, 840 annually.