How to Become a Phlebotomist: Education & Certification Requirements
Our world moves at a lightning pace, and we like for our careers to keep up. Phlebotomy is an excellent career choice for anyone looking to hit the ground running in a fast-paced job after a very short period of schooling. With little more than a technical certificate in phlebotomy, you can jump into a career that might lead to a different position in the medical field. Depending on your interests, the simple decision to become a phlebotomist may lead to your eventual development into a medical assistant or a lab technician after some additional education.
Education Requirements
A two- or four-year degree is not required to practice phlebotomy. Typically, phlebotomists can start their careers after four months to a year of education. However, before you pick up your first vacuum tube, you should consider where you want to end up. Certain degree programs will offer you more opportunities for advancement than others.
There are three degree levels an aspiring phlebotomist can choose from:
- Certificate
- Associate's
- Bachelor's
Degree Types
If you're looking to enter the phlebotomy field as quickly as possible, you should focus entirely on the physiology, equipment, technique, procedure, and terminology of the profession. A certificate program will focus on these aspects exclusively. Such a program will mix lecture and lab time in order to provide a brief academic experience that segues into a clinical rotation meant to provide practical experience.
Associate degree programs offer you the opportunity to expand your general education as well as your phlebotomy skills. If you want to have greater flexibility after graduating, you should consider this option as a way to prepare for eventual positions as a medical assistant or laboratory technician.
At the bachelor's degree level, a phlebotomist is preparing for a supervisory role in the phlebotomy field, or even an eventual position as a medical technologist.
Phlebotomy Curriculum
Regardless of how far you decide to take your medical career, it all begins with the same basic curriculum. A standard curriculum is rooted in anatomy and physiology, which prepares you for the extraction of blood, as well as any potential complications that may arise. You will be taught to utilize, adjust, assemble, and maintain lab equipment in order to perform your collection and culturing duties. Additionally, you will receive a foundation in relevant medical chemistry, which can greatly improve your efficiency and understanding of the phlebotomy process.
A standard phlebotomy program should also include courses on psychology and interpersonal communication. Learning how to calm, question, and assess a patient without causing undue stress should be an essential part of your phlebotomy education.
Finding a Certificate Program
In order to jumpstart your phlebotomy career, contact local hospitals, community colleges, and trade schools and inquire as to whether or not they offer seminars or short-term technical certificate programs in phlebotomy. Or, visit our list of accredited phlebotomy certificate programs. There are two major advantages to these programs:
- Invaluable clinical experience
- Reduced tuition cost
Online or in-person, the average cost of a basic phlebotomy certificate runs between $1,500 and $3,500. Of course, the cost is a minor annoyance when compared to the priceless hands-on experience that normally accompanies these intense courses. This practical experience in the field is the most important part of a phlebotomy education, and it gives students the clinical know-how that employers want. If a program does not include clinical hours, you should look elsewhere for a program that will meet your needs.
Certification Requirements
Not every state requires phlebotomists to be licensed and registered, but every state does have legislation regarding what is required to practice phlebotomy. Before looking into any certification programs, it is a good idea to check with your state's department of health services to find out the pertinent regulations.
California and Louisiana, for instance, require that phlebotomists have completed at least 40 hours of class time, 40 hours of clinical practice, 50 venipunctures, and 10 skin punctures before they can be approved for licensure.
If you want to take your professional licensing a step further, you can work towards certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology or the National Phlebotomy Association. To receive certification, these agencies require that phlebotomists have completed more than 100 venipunctures and at least 140 hours of practical experience.
Article Resources:
Victor Valley College
National Phlebotomy Association
Phlebotomy / EKG
Southeastern Technical College
Moraine Valley Community College
Edison Community College
Laboratory Field Services Licensing and Certification
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts