How To Find Good Phlebotomy Schools

Currently, the phlebotomy profession is still very unregulated, and that means that there aren’t really any standards or minimum requirements for phlebotomy schools, except in California. This is subject to change, so you may want to check your local regulations to be sure.

Just because phlebotomy schools are still largely unregulated does not mean that you should just go with the first program you find. On the contrary, it means that you need to be more discerning because there is usually no regulating body ensuring that each program offers quality training.

The most important thing when looking for a good program is that you want to come out of it with a marketable skill that meets the needs of local employers. After all, the whole point of going through the training is so that you can get a good job when you are finished.

When you evaluate a program, you want to look at it from an employers point of view and make sure it meets all the quality guidelines they would be looking for. It is a good idea to consult with employers in your area first, or speak to a phlebotomy supervisor at a local hospital to find out what guidelines they would recommend.

There are some general indicators of a quality program that you can look for that I will share here. Be advised however that we can make no guarantee that a program that meets these criteria will be reputable and that students who attend such a program will graduate with the required skills. It is very important to do your own due diligence to ensure that you choose a quality and reputable program.

Signs Of A Quality Phlebotomy Training Program:

• At least 40 hours of a classroom component
• A clinical component that allows students to interact with real patients in a healthcare environment
• The classroom component is based on standards set forth by the Clinical And Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
• The clinical component requires that students complete at least 100 blood speciman collections successfully without any help in a laboratory regulated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). That should cover both venipunctures and capillary collections.
• After completion of the training program, students should be eligible to take a national certification exam given by one of these agencies:
1. American Credentialing Agency (ACA)
2. American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
3. National Center For Competency Testing (NCCT)
4. American Medical Technologists (AMT)

Again, it is advised that you should do your own due diligence by getting in touch with local employers or healthcare institutions to make sure a phlebotomy training program meets their guidelines. This is the best way to find out what programs are quality.

You could even just ask a phlebotomy supervisor at a local healthcare institution what phlebotomy program they would recommend in the area.  This would give you a direct answer and a good starting point in your search to find the best phlebotomy school that will put you on track to get a great job when you graduate.