If you're asking yourself about the individual responsible in obtaining a sample of your blood each time you get sick, they are known as phlebotomy technicians or phlebotomists. After being delivered to the laboratory for testing, results will then be labelled, showing the nature of the patient's sickness. Because of its utmost value, the job demands accurate and correct drawing of blood samples without hurting patients by any means. Technicians are also required to label the specimens and then transfer them to the correct laboratory destination for testing.
Not all medical jobs need certification before being able to practice the career and phlebotomy is a good example of that, meaning so long as you have completed a phlebotomy training program, you will be considered for the position. It is even interesting to notice that some cities like Texas have this not so stringent policy on training programs, as they allow those without any proper education and learning to work as a phlebotomist. However, one can find states just like Texas with higher level of standards; strictly hiring only those with certification and not permitting those who do not have a license to legally work inside the state.
If you're one of those who have an interest in becoming a phlebotomy technician some day, it's important to take note of the several agencies capable of offering phlebotomy certification. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT), and American Medical Technologists (AMT) are among the several certifying bodies which grant certification to individuals who are deserving. Each body has their very own specific qualifications; and it is now the responsibility of the student to choose which body offers the requirements very easy for him to accomplish.
If you are one of those inexperienced phlebotomy students planning to get certified, ASCP is a body that offer certification upon finishing of the following: 40 hours of classroom discussion on theories and concepts, 120 hours of rigid hands-on clinical activities, 100 successful blood retrievals, and a high school diploma or its equivalent. APT has qualifications of their own as well that include the following: a regular membership to the APT family, completion of an accredited phlebotomy training program, 5 successful skin punctures, and 100 cases of excellent venipunctures. Lastly, NPA automatically certifies all those who have practiced at least one year of phlebotomy. For not experienced candidates to get certified, they are expected to complete hands-on laboratory training sessions along with 160 hours of in-depth classroom discussions.
Phlebotomy certification requirement common to these three bodies is the attendance to an accredited phlebotomy training course which covers classroom and clinical training hours. This training program aims to teach basic and advanced knowledge and skills to be able to prepare students for the challenge ahead. Texas is known to be home to most numbers of community universities and training centers that provide this type of program. Most training programs have a duration of twelve weeks in which you can find observed variations in training costs varying from one school to another. It was revealed that in Texas, trainees usually shed around $1,000 for a proper training of twelve weeks inclusive of training books, clinical fees, along with other add-ons.
There's nothing to be afraid of, as long as you have a Certified Phlebotomy Technician title below your name, opportunities will be endless for you.