Phlebotomy Certification Schools - 3 Top Phlebotomy Schools

Tweet

After studying to become a phlebotomist, the next step is to obtain a phlebotomy certification that can be your passport to better job opportunities in the field.  Although there are now several schools and hospitals that offer phlebotomy training programs, not all follow the standards required by the CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute). 

In order to be assured of quality instruction in the field of phlebotomy, look for an organization that provides training which follows the standards set by  CLSI and one that is accredited with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Graduates of an accredited phlebotomy training program can then take the phlebotomy certification exam which is currently being conducted by ten nationally acknowledged certifying organizations in the US. 

A few of these agencies are the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the American Certification Agency (ACA) for healthcare professionals and the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).  Each organization has its own set of rules and requirements that a future phlebotomist must comply with.  Here is a brief discussion of what these three agencies require:

1.  AMT

The American Medical Technologists (AMT) requires that applicants for certification should have completed a phlebotomy training program that is accredited by the Department of Education.  The program should also be recognized by the Regional Accrediting Commission and should have at least 120 hours of on-campus training hours and 120 clinical practice hours.

Alternatively, an applicant is also qualified to take the certification exam if he or she had completed a minimum of 1,040 hours of practice as a phlebotomist in a medical laboratory or a hospital.  The applicant should have done at least 25 successful skin punctures or 50 venipunctures. The AMT website offers several study resources to anyone who plans become an AMT certified phlebotomist.  Study guides, an exam outline, a practice test and a candidate handbook can all be downloaded from the AMT website.

2.  ACA

The American Certification Agency (ACA) conducts two types of certification exams for phlebotomists - one for phlebotomy technicians and another for phlebotomy instructors.  The phlebotomy technician exam requires that the applicant must have successfully completed 100 venipunctures and 10-25 skin punctures (depending on the state requirement), as well as 100 clinical hours. 

The written exam may be taken online, but there is also a practical component which tests the skills of the applicant.  The phlebotomy instructor certification is given to applicants who are already certified phlebotomists, or to those who are already working as Registered or Licensed Practical Nurses.  An applicant should have acquired at least three years of working as a phlebotomist and at least a year of teaching experience.

3.  NCCT

The National Center for Competency Training (NCCT) has a program for both phlebotomist and donor phlebotomist certification.  The applicant should have at least a high school or GED diploma, should have graduated from a recognized phlebotomy training program and/or should have at least one year of phlebotomy work experience. 

The donor phlebotomy certification requires that the applicant should have at least 6 months of experience in the field and should have successfully completed 80 donor collections.  Application forms can be downloaded from the NCCT website and may be submitted electronically or mailed as a hard copy.