Phlebotomy certification is required in most states to work as a phlebotomist, with some states legally requiring it. Programs are available at accredited schools and can take a year or more to complete. Certification can be obtained from various organizations, with continuing education required to maintain it. Phlebotomy Technician II status is important for increased employment opportunities.
While this can vary by state or country, most people need to be certified in phlebotomy to work as a phlebotomist. Some states, Louisiana and California, legally require anyone hired as a phlebotomist to be certified. While other states in the US may not legally require this, a phlebotomist is generally expected to hold a phlebotomy certificate. There may be three levels of certification in certain states, particularly California, and these are Phlebotomy Technicians Limited and Phlebotomy Technician I and II. Each requires training and then application for certification in phlebotomy.
Most programs that teach this profession require students to complete training at an accredited school. Length of classes can vary, but generally include classroom time and then lots of hands-on activities. There are programs available at various schools across the country. This can include community colleges and many vocational or vocational schools. Programs can take a year or more to complete, and sometimes less time. If the school offers an associate degree with graduation, programs are usually two years in length.
When different levels of employment are offered in a state such as California, Phlebotomy Technician II status is important in increasing the ability to obtain employment. Phlebotomy technology jobs allow workers to do venipuncture (draw blood from veins) and skin punctures. Tech II designation means that the worker can draw blood from veins or arteries. Arterial blood samples are sometimes required. It is possible to only be trained to the Tech I level, but clearly programs that train to the Tech II level are more useful when it comes time to look for jobs.
Upon completion of the program, including the required internships, individuals can apply for phlebotomy certification with a number of different organizations. It is unclear whether one is perceived more favorably than the others. There are several organizations from which a phlebotomy certificate can be obtained, including the American Society of Clinical Pathology, the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians, and the National Phlebotomy Association.
These organizations may also accredit the programs in which people train, and it may make sense to obtain phlebotomy certification through the same organization that accredited the phlebotomy program in which a person participated. The reason for this is that certification requirements often line up exactly with each school’s organization’s credentials. People will need to not only meet these requirements, but also pass exams showing their competence.
Like most healthcare jobs, phlebotomy may require continuing education to maintain phlebotomy certification. Certifying organizations will vary, but most will eventually need additional training. For a person entering the field qualified to only do venipuncture and skin puncture, training can be an ideal time to learn how to remove blood from arteries as well. Technicians also routinely need training as medical equipment and methods change.
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