On the other hand, this expansion has lead to great variability in the quality of care available. As the need for professionals increased, particularly in allied health positions, the standards of service delivery and technical knowledge and skills were sometimes lowered, or at best, not comparable from institution to institution. In response to these phenomena, many of the allied health fields organized professional organizations to promote training and high standards of service delivery.
These organizations also established mechanisms for recognizing those who had achieved acceptable levels of performance and assuring comparable standards among institutions. NPA provides a certification examination in the field of phlebotomy and maintains a Board of Registry of all those who successfully complete the certification process. Certification by NPA has the same prestige and benefits for the Phlebotomist as does certification by any other professional organization for its members.
Certification by NPA will aid in job placement for Phlebotomists and the general level and quality of phlebotomy care will be enhanced. A Phlebotomist is a key member of the medical community and their job duties typically involve:. A Phlebotomist can work in a variety of environments. Phlebotomists can also be found at mobile or stationary donation facilities and other health care settings where blood is taken and analyzed.
The National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences NAACLS accredits phlebotomy programs and aspiring phlebotomists are encouraged to research post-secondary programs to make sure they meet the highest academic and professional standards. NAACLS-accredited phlebotomy programs generally have two courses and a clinical component such as an externship as well. This is the most common career pathway, but other routes are available to meet the exam eligibility requirements which are detailed below.
The exam questions are multiple-choice and the test is computer-adaptive, meaning when a test-taker answers a question correctly, the questions get progressively more difficult or easier depending on whether a correct or incorrect answer is selected.
Questions cannot be skipped. Questions are weighted depending on the level of difficulty. To apply for the exam, test-takers must create an account with ASCP and complete an online application. Required documentation and official transcripts are submitted at this stage. There are seven unique eligibility pathways to earn a PBT certification.
Requirements vary, but generally, these prerequisite requirements must be met prior to pursuing phlebotomy training programs:. The ASCP accepts the following eligibility pathways, often a combination of education and work experience, to be eligible to sit for the PBT exam.
Please note: high school graduation or equivalent is required for all of the following eligibility pathways. PBT certification is valid for three years. Every three years, PBT certification-holders can renew their credentials. The content available through this program keeps PBT-holders up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the field of phlebotomy. To be eligible for renewal, PBT-holders must complete nine points of courses in the following areas:.
Nearly all employers prefer phlebotomists who have earned professional post-secondary certification from an accredited organization such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology ASCP or a similar organization. For this reason, the majority of phlebotomy technicians hold professional certification. More info: AMT official website. More info on NCCT site here. While not offering phlebotomy-specific certifications, ABOR certifications are still very popular among phlebotomists working in clinical labs and taking additional responsibilities.
Established in which makes it one of the oldest in the industry , the American Association of Bioanalysts Board of Registry offers two certifications that are desirable for those technicians who look to expand their skillset in a laboratory setting:. However, they include subjects like chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, andrology, embryology, molecular diagnostics.
More info: AAB website. NPA is a reputable organization in the field of phlebotomy which was founded in and now offers certifications for phlebotomy technicians, instructors, and accredits training programs. More info: official NPA website.
ASPT has established itself as a reputable organization in the field of phlebotomy. Unlike many others, ASPT certification includes a practical phase, not only theory. Maintaining this certification means completing six hours of continuing education per year provided by the organization, P.
More info: ASPT official website. Their PTC certification includes theory exams only without clinical practice tests. Examination details: 2-hour written exam with multiple-choice questions. AMCA also gives you a chance to sit a so-called combo exam, where you can combine phlebotomy certification with that of EKG Technician and Patient Care technician, for a reduced fee. More info: AMCA website. ACA is one of the few agencies that offer online phlebotomy certification exams.
However, you will still need to accomplish a practical part of the exam in a hospital or a lab. Examination details: online assessment along with practical part in a hospital setup. More info on ACA website. AAH is a private California-based company that offers certifications in a number of allied health occupations, including phlebotomy. Examination details: exam can be taken either online or at one of the AAH-affiliated testing centers. More info: AAH website. Getting formal education in phlebotomy is not always necessary.
Some organizations have a so-called Experience Route when you can be eligible for the exam by having relevant work experience usually 1 year or more. At the same time, graduating from a phlebotomy training course or any similar allied health training will broaden your certification opportunities and chances to get certified.
Many schools have arrangements with certifying agencies so that upon graduation their students are automatically registered for a certification exam.
0コメント