Phlebotomy Technician (PT-C)

A Phlebotomy Technician is a trained professional in blood-drawing. Typically working in a laboratory setting, they have acquire a vast array of knowledge regarding the care and maintenance of blood samples, as well as proper laboratory procedures. Phlebotomy Certification is becoming a top priority for employers who seek to find qualified individuals to perform blood-draws to their patients.

The exam consist of a 90-question, multiple choice assessment. Each candidate has 2 hours to complete the exam. The exam consists of the following topics:

Quality and Professional Issues

Quality Patient Care:

Possess the ability to read and comprehend written English (assessed throughout exam).
Possess the ability to understand and complete electronic or hard copy charting in English.
Use effective verbal communication skills with patients,families,and healthcare workers.
Respond to nonverbal cues when interacting with patients.
Incorporate age-related competencies into all aspects of patient care.
Recognize quality control/assurance tasks withinthe scope of practice.

Professional Development:

Exhibit behavior consistent with ethical practice.
Recognize the need for continued competence and maintenance of skills.
Present a professional demeanor (e.g.dress, behavior, speech, patient interaction).
Respond appropriately to any observation of unethical or unlawful practice.
Perform only those tasks within the scope of practice (may vary by state).

Patient Rights,Standards, and Regulations:

Identify patient guarantees under "A Patient's Bill of Rights" of the American Hospital Association.
Obtain patient consent before performing procedures.
Demonstrate an awareness of conditions that could constitute legal action (e.g. battery, negligence, malpractice).
Comply with laws governing reportable incidents.
Comply with laws and standards governing reliability and accuracy in lab testing (e.g. CLIA, CAP, COLA, AABB).
Comply with laws related to medical records and confidentiality (e.g. HIPAA).
Comply with chain of custody collection requirements when required.

Infection Control and Safety

Safety Standards:

Select a specific activation method for sharps with safety mechanisms.
Select an appropriate course of action for medical follow-up of a needlestick injury.
Describe and recognize the need to follow CDC Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions (i.e. airborne,contact, and droplet).
According to OSHA bloodborne pathogen and hazardous material standards, select the proper disposal of all phlebotomy equipment (e.g. sharps, trash,biohazardous waste).
Recall and follow OSHA standards for Health Care Workers.
Make decisions regarding the proper use of personal protective equipment (e.g.gloves, mask, lab coat, respirator).

Infection Control and Disease:

Practice infection prevention and exposure control procedures.
Understand/follow patient isolation procedures.
Recognize common sources of infection and transmission.
Recognize common causes/spread of nosocomial infection.
Identify airborne precautions.
Differentiate among the need/uses for cleansing,disinfection,and sterilization.

Terms and Anatomy

Use medical terms and abbreviations related to phlebotomy.
Recognize the major body systems and functions.
Recognize typical diagnostic tests by body systems.
Identify anatomic regions of the body.
Identify components of the circulatory system and all blood vessels.
Recognize the function of the cellular components of blood.
Apply knowledge in making phlebotomy-related decisions for patients on anticoagulant therapy or with clotting deficiencies.

Orders and Equipment Selection

Identify venipuncture equipment typically found on a blood collection tray.
Identify microsamplingequipment typically found on a blood collection tray.
Differentiate among the uses of evacuated tubes (i.e. all stopper colors) in blood collection.
Select equipment for specimen collection needs accordingto lab orders, patient age, vein and patient conditions.
Identify additives/anticoagulants added to evacuated blood collection tubes (by stopper color).
Identify the mode of action of additives/anticoagulants in blood collection tubes.
Identify the importance of inversion, recommended number of inversions, and fill-levels in tubes with additives/anticoagulants.
Select proper equipment choices for use with patients that have latex allergies.
Select proper bandaging equipment (e.g.age, allergy, skin type).

Patient ID and Site Preparation

Recognize the importance of following protocols for patient approach and identification at all times.
Recognize the possible ramifications for inaccuracies/errors in collection.
Determine appropriate site selection for blood collection (i.e. based upon varied patient conditions).
Prepare patients and site for blood collection (i.e. microsampling,venipuncture, bacterial culture).

Collection, Problems, and Corrections

Perform venipuncture on patients of all ages.
Perform capillary punctures by fingerstick and/or heelstick.
Identify the CLSl-recommended order of draw for blood samples collected by a specified method.
Recognize precautions for patients with special needs (e.g. mastectomy, IV,burns, dementia, bleeding disorders,other).
Recognize and respond to complications of phlebotomy (e.g. hematoma,excessive bleeding,other).
Select the proper steps for phlebotomy aftercare.
Understand where and how pre-analytical sources of error can occur.
Take corrective actions for problems with test requests, specimen transport, or specimen processing.

All exams are done online. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us: support@mynaht.com. If you feel ready to become certified, select the Phlebotomy Technician option on the registration page (button below) and we will call you to schedule your exam.