Now that you have training done, you are looking forward to taking the phlebotomy certification exam. Don’t just shrug the exam off your shoulders and think that the phlebotomy certification exam is just another standardized test. Many people fail when they take this exam lightly and think it will be easy to pass. Regardless, you need to study, study, and then study some more. Most people think they will ace the exam with flying colors, make future plans with their new phlebotomy career, and tell all their friends and family about it before actually taking the exam first. Well, people like this got a reality check from the phlebotomy certification exam. This happens all the time when students take the exam. Students come in unprepared thinking they will pass and walk away disappointed.
Phlebotomy Certification Exam State Requirements
Depending on what your plans in the future are, depends on the score you need to obtain on the phlebotomy certification exam. Before you take the phlebotomy certification exam, make sure you are aware of the state’s requirements. Requirements vary from state to state. Check with your local state to see what your requirements are. You may be required to take a six week phlebotomy certification course. You may be able to become a phlebotomist without taking any training and receive on the job training. You might not be able to make as much money as if you were certified this way.
Study For Phlebotomy Certification Exam
No one will ever be fully prepared for every question that will be on the exam. No matter what you think, you should study, or you might end up walking away disappointed like the other students that took the exam lightly. You need to make sure that your courses and classes are accrediting, and when preparing for the phlebotomy certification exam, use practice tests and get a review and study book. These will be very essential when getting prepared. There is also study material that you can find online to help better prepare yourself. Don’t wait til the last minute to study. If you know that the exam is coming up, study in advance to assure that you are ready for it. Cramming materials at the last minute may cause you to forget some important key factors. Dont take the risk and just start to study in advance.
Phlebotomy Certification Exam Agencies
Agencies that certify candidates with a phlebotomy certification exam include: American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Board of Certification, The National Center for Competency Testing, The American Medical Technologists, The American Credentialing Agency, and The National Health Career Association. To pass the phlebotomy certification exam, you need to master five areas to become a skilled phlebotomist, which include; human anatomy, needle technique, safety handling specimen, record keeping accuracy, and patient rapport.
The best advice to give is to get as much clinical training as possible. You need to get as much practice in as possible to perfect the techniques of venipuncture, arterial puncturing and drawing blood through capillary bodies. Keep in mind that you need to have had completed one hundred clinical hours, one hundred successful venipunctures, and ten successful dermal punctures (25 if you live in Louisiana). Learn how to deal with situations like when a patient does not want to cooperate with you. The better understanding you have of every aspect of phlebotomy, the more accurate you will be on your phlebotomy certification exam. If you are wanting to become an instructor, there is a separate exam for that as well.
