Phlebotomy is one of the easiest areas of the medical field to enter and requires the least amount of training. Only four states, California, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington, require phlebotomy technicians to obtain certification.
The majority of employers nationwide prefer professionals with a phlebotomy certificate. Certification opens the door to more job opportunities, more variety in job responsibilities, and higher pay. The national average phlebotomy technician pay is $33,713 per year or $16.21 per hour.
If you are wondering how hard it is to get into a phlebotomy program and obtain certification, keep reading. We will share everything you need to know about this lucrative, in-demand career.
What is Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is the process of obtaining blood from a vein. This requires puncturing a vein with a needle. The purpose is to remove blood for diagnostic tests or to remove the blood for medical treatment.
Phlebotomy Technician vs. Phlebotomist
Phlebotomy technicians and phlebotomists earn the same certificate regardless of their job title. The job duties are to draw blood, take care of patients in the lab, ship samples, and take care of lab equipment.
The only difference between the two positions is what the employer chooses to use as a job title. The salary each earns depends on their job duties, experience, and the size of the office or lab where they work.
Phlebotomy Programs
The steps to becoming a phlebotomist are simple:
- Complete High School or obtain GED
- Complete an accredited phlebotomy program
- Obtain your certification
You want to enroll in an accredited training program to obtain your certification. If you use a program that offers online training, you can usually complete your certificate within six months of registration.
Your phlebotomy program cost is around $600. Training takes about 170 hours of course time and covers about 35 different areas of instruction, including:
- Compassionate patient care
- Documentation and record keeping
- Hazardous materials management
- Health and safety for patients
- Locating veins and troubleshooting hard-to-find veins
- Proper phlebotomy technique
- Use and maintenance of equipment
- Standards and codes you must follow
You must pass a certification exam for each course to receive your certificate. You will also need to participate in an internship, including 30 vein punctures. Each blood draw must be supervised, and a sign-off on the blood draw must be on a log.
Once you obtain a certificate saying you qualify as a phlebotomy technician, you will want to get a certification that receives recognition nationwide.
Obtaining a NAPTP Phlebotomy Certificate
Once you receive your phlebotomy technician certificate, you will want to go for the gold standard of phlebotomy technicians—NAPTP certification.
To achieve certification, you need to score 85% or higher on a 100-question exam covering a wide range of topics relative to phlebotomy. This includes competency in HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
To take the exam, you must complete at least 65 live blood draws within two years or 30 live draws if you graduate from a phlebotomy program within the past six months. Your phlebotomy certificate cost depends on the exam and study materials that best fit your needs:
- NAPTP Exam—$129
- NAPTP Exam and PDF Study Guide—$225
- NAPTP Renewal Exam—$99
- Phlebotomy National Exam and Review Course—$459
- Immunization Certification Course and Exam—$359
- Phlebotomy Instructor Certification—$639
Upon passing the phlebotomy certification exam, you will receive a certificate with an affixed seal and a hand-sewn patch to wear on your lab coat. The certification will be on the NAPTP website for verification by your employers.
Where to Get a Phlebotomy Certificate
When seeking certification, you want to use the nation’s leading organization for phlebotomy technicians and phlebotomists.
To obtain a phlebotomy certificate, call the National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP) at 877-437-6470. You may also reach us by using our online contact form.
Don’t hesitate; get started on your new career today!
