Phlebotomist Certification

Steps To Becoming a Certified Phlebotomist

A person who wants to work in the medical profession might want to first work as a Phlebotomist.

A Phlebotomist is a person that is trained to obtain blood samples from patients and transport them to the laboratory for testing.

In order for someone to be employed as a Phlebotomist, they will need to pass a Phlebotomist certification exam and have successfully completed at least:

• 40 classroom hours;
• 120 hours of hands-on training; and
• 100 successful, unaided blood collections.

Pre-Certification Required Training

In order to take the Phlebotomist certification exam, a person must first complete a Phlebotomy training course at a local college or hospital. Prior to taking this course, however, they must posses either a GED or a high school diploma.

The certification exam is offered by The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT).

Upon completion of this exam, a Phlebotomist can be either a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) or a Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT).

Phlebotomist Job Duties & Income Information

Once a person is certified as a Phlebotomist, they will be able to perform venipuncture blood draws as well as finger and heel sticks.

A certified Phlebotomist usually earns between $24,126 and $39,568 annually, depending upon experience, but with certification they can earn up to $52,413 a year.

A Phlebotomist will need to have their certification renewed annually after initial certification is completed.