Learn about what goes into attending Phlebotomy classes and how gaining certification can help improve your career. What are the typical wages for Phlebotomists and where can you go to receive certification from a reputable agency? This is a basic and crucial skill that all medical professionals should know. If you want to be more marketable in the medical field, learning this valuable skill will definitely improve your career prospects.

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Phlebotomy is the act of drawing blood for samples, donations, or to diagnose a condition in a patient for various medical reasons. Individuals are trained to locate a vein sufficient for blood extraction (i.e. venipuncture), so it can be tested for illnesses, collected for blood transfusions or sampled for research purposes. This is a relatively simple task in the medical field so in the past individuals received on-the-job training, now though, many aspiring Phlebotomist are trained at a vocational or community school to gain certification to perform the procedure. It’s crucial and one of the most basic skills to learn in the medical field. It requires a High School Diploma or GED, and although many states have no requirements for individuals who perform this procedure, it’s beneficial to receive enough training until you’re proficient before drawing blood on actual patients.

Precautions and Certifications

When aspiring to become a Phlebotomist, it’s important that before you get in contact with anyone else’s blood, you’re in good health yourself – mentally and physically. That’s why they perform background checks and ask if you’ve kept up with all your immunity shots. They’ll also perform physical examinations and test you for tuberculosis. Once it’s been determined you’re suitable to become a Phlebotomist, you’re ready to begin your training. When searching for phlebotomy classes, it’s important to find an accredited institution that is authorized to instruct individuals in phlebotomy before paying any tuition. And If you’ve been working as an allied health professional for a number of years and have gained on-the-job experience in phlebotomy, seeking out certification from agencies can help improve your career prospects. Instead of taking formal classes, just find a legitimate agency that is nationally recognized, operates business practices with integrity and is good with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to grant you certification after passing an exam. Below are a few agencies that are suitable to certify:

• American Certification Agency (ACA)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• American Associates of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Phlebotomy Classes

The subject matters in phlebotomy classes cover anatomy and physiology – respiratory, circulatory, muscular and skeletal systems; blood and cell composition – learn about diseases and infections and how blood cells react; laboratory safety and CPR – a valuable skill that every medical professional should learn. You’ll also receive hands-on-training practicing safe blood sampling procedures until you’re proficient in drawing blood. Gaining certification or a state-license isn’t necessary for a Phlebotomist in most states (except California) but is beneficial to your career prospects, so after you’ve received the appropriate training, or feel like you have adequate experience on the job, seeking certification from one of the above agencies wouldn’t hurt.

Allied Healthcare Professional Career Growth

Job prospects for allied health professionals are good according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Healthcare is the biggest industry in America so employment opportunities are always available. Hourly wages for Phlebotomist are around 11 to 12 dollars, and of course if you increased your knowledge and skill within the medical field the more you’d earn. Again, this is a fairly basic skill to learn. Places a Phlebotomists will work include blood drives, health departments, hospitals, prison infirmaries, hospice centers, pharmaceutical labs and a doctor’s office.