Month: December 2022

Phlebotomists are an essential part of a healthcare team and play a vital role in patient care. Doctors depend on phlebotomists to draw the blood needed for patient diagnosis and treatment.

There are many phlebotomy certifications you can get, depending on what specialty you’re interested in.

If you’re thinking about phlebotomy certification or expanding your phlebotomy career, we can help!

Here’s a look at some options for phlebotomy certifications.

Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PBT-ASCP)

The American Society for Clinical Pathology offers this certification. You must have a high school diploma and complete a certified phlebotomy program.

Requirements also include completing 40 hours of in-class training as well as 100 hours of practice. To obtain certification, it’s helpful to have hands-on experience working in an accredited lab as a phlebotomy technician.

Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC-ASPT)

This certification is provided by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. There are several criteria listed in order to qualify. You must qualify for at least one of these.

Some qualifications include:

• Completing six months to a year of part-time work as a phlebotomist
• Completion of a Phlebotomy program
• Upon graduation, you need proof of work experience

Experience in specimen handling and venipuncture is recommended.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-NHA)

Phlebotomy is a rewarding career, and earning certification is fast, compared to other healthcare careers. You can earn CPT-NHA phlebotomy certification from the National Healthcare Association.

This certification has multiple levels, including a Limited Phlebotomy Technician and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (1 and 2).

Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT-AMT)

The American Medical Technologists offer this certification. You must pass a recent accredited phlebotomy course in the last four years to qualify.

You must have at least 1040 cumulative hours of experience as a phlebotomy technician in the last three years to obtain RPT-AMT certification. 

Certified Phlebotomist Technologist (CPT-NPA)

The National Phlebotomy Association provides this certification. You must complete training hours, including allied health training and venipuncture. 

To qualify, you need 360 hours of phlebotomy training. This includes 160 classroom hours and 200 hours of hands-on application. You must submit proof of qualifications to the National Phlebotomy Association to qualify for certification.

Advancing your career in phlebotomy can help you open doors to new opportunities and more income. Earning additional phlebotomy certifications can help you expand your career options in this growing field.

Exploring Phlebotomy Certifications

Phlebotomy is a popular and rewarding career in the medical field. If you’re looking for a way to help others, work in a medical setting, and advance in your field, phlebotomy may be a great choice.

Phlebotomists are vital members of the healthcare team. Doctors depend on these healthcare professionals to perform essential blood draws and testing for patient diagnosis and treatment. 

There are many options and phlebotomy certifications to choose from. At NAPTP, we help thousands of phlebotomists and phlebotomy technicians. We give them the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers.

If you’re interested in phlebotomy programs and certifications, contact NAPTP to learn more.

Are you interested in pursuing advanced certification in phlebotomy?

There are many different platforms and programs designed to help you further your career. The key is choosing one that’s accredited, reputable, and appropriate for your needs. 

Today, we’re sharing a few ways to make sure you choose the right school as you take the first step toward achieving your phlebotomy certification.

1. Consider Your Schedule

Your first decision will be whether to pursue the program online or in person. If you choose an in-person course, make sure it fits your schedule and is located close to you. 

If you work full-time, this will likely mean taking an evening course, perhaps at a local community college. It can be challenging to fit this coursework around your daily activities, so an online course may be more feasible. 

The certification program that we offer at the National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP) is 100% virtual. 

To prepare beforehand, you can purchase a hard copy or PDF review book through our site. You can also access our review course, which includes all the material you need to pass the exam and achieve your phlebotomy certificate. 

2. Research Program History

Be wary of any organization that advertises phlebotomy certifications but doesn’t have any type of well-reviewed longevity. If you’re unsure when the program started, ask a representative.

The NAPTP was founded in 1998. In more than two decades, we’ve built a strong reputation as a trusted leader in the field. This includes establishing a:

• Industry-leading Code of Ethics
• Comprehensive Scope of Practice
• Certified National Testing Program

Seek background information on the program you’re eyeing. Ask when and why it was founded, as well as any other elements that it includes. 

3. Understand the Course Options

Before you can take the exam to achieve your national phlebotomy certification, you’ll need to complete a review course. 

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of program. You will have lots of options to consider. Think about how you plan to use your certification and what other types of training you might need.

Planning to take your exam through the NAPTP? If so, you’ll have a few different options. These include:

• Phlebotomy National Exam + Review Course (Includes access to our self-paced online review course and the NAPTP exam)
• Immunization Certification Course + Exam (Includes access to our self-paced online review course and the Immunization Technician Certification Exam)
• Phlebotomy Instructor Certification (Includes access to our phlebotomy review course, NAPTP exam, and NAPTP Instructor course)

You can learn more about each of these options on our website. 

Pursue Your Phlebotomy Certification Today

Achieving your phlebotomy certification is a great way to expand your career and earning potential. 

When you’re choosing a course, look for one that’s convenient for your schedule, such as an online option! Then, research the credibility and history of the program. Finally, break down all of the course components and ensure make sure they include everything you need. 

Interested in pursuing your certification through the NAPTP? If so, register today to sign up and learn more!

Today, there are 132,750 phlebotomists in the US, and there are plenty of job opportunities in places like hospitals, laboratories, and private physicians’ offices.

Becoming a phlebotomist can be an interesting path, especially if you have an interest in healthcare jobs but don’t want to be a doctor or nurse. Your main duty is to draw blood from patients, then label, store, and handle the samples safely.

It’s a relatively simple job to get into, so are you curious about the steps? Then read on. Here’s a short guide to becoming a phlebotomist.

Get a High School Diploma

At the very least, you’ll need to graduate high school first before you consider this career. However, if you’ve dropped out, you still have a chance to become a phlebotomist.

You’ll need to get the equivalent of a high school diploma by getting a GED (General Educational Development). Once you’ve passed the GED tests and received the credential, you can move on to the next step.

Sign up for a Phlebotomy Course

There are plenty of phlebotomy courses offered by community colleges and trade schools. Make sure that when you’re browsing your choices, you only consider those that are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. That way, certification will be easier.

Keep in mind that there are other requirements for enrolling in a phlebotomy program, besides having a high school diploma or GED. You’ll need to go through a background check, and you’ll also need CPR certification and up-to-date immunization records.

Get Your Phlebotomy Certification

Technically you can work as a phlebotomist after you’re done with the program. But the reality is, the majority of employers want to see phlebotomy certifications. So to up your chances of finding a job, and a good paying one, you should consider getting a certification offered by:

• The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• The National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• The American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• The National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP)

The NAPTP is the gold standard for phlebotomists. What’s great is the courses are 100% online, and you can go at your own pace, so you won’t have to worry about falling behind.

Once you pass the exam with a score of 85% or more, you’ll be able to be a phlebotomist in all of the US.

Look for a Position

Now you’re set to look for a job. You can look in various places, like the ones we mentioned before (hospitals, laboratories, and private practices). It can be helpful to update your resume and have someone look it over to ensure you stand out against the crowd.

Get Started on Becoming a Phlebotomist

Becoming a phlebotomist can be rewarding. Not only is this one of the quicker medical careers to get into, but it’s also in high demand.

If you have the right prerequisites, you can be on a fast track to phlebotomy careers within a year. Just think: in no time, you’ll be in a job you love.

If you’re ready to become a phlebotomist, then register for the NAPTP exam today.