ASCP Board of Registry to Certify Phlebotomists

ASCP Board of Registry to Certify Phlebotomists
The ASCP Board of Registry will administer itsfirstcertifying examination forphlebotomy technicians on August 18,
1989. The deadline for applications is June 1,1989.
The new certification category will be known as phlebotomy technician (PBT[ ASCPJj.
The Board of Registry assumed responsibility for certification from the Phlebotomy Certification Board of the Consortium of Indiana Medical Laboratory Educators, a group that has administered an exam since 1983. Through 1988, over
988 phlebotomy technicians have been certified by the Consortium. As with all other BOR certification categories, there is
a specific committee comprised of experienced laboratory professionals who will develop the new Board of Registry examination.
To be eligible to take the examination next August, a phlebotomist must fulfill one of the following criteria:
1. High school graduation (or equivalent) AND completion of NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences) approved phlebotomy program within the last five years, OR
2. High school graduation (or equivalent) AND completion of an acceptable formal structured phlebotomy program
which includes the following: 120 clinical hours with a minimum performance of 100 successful venipunctures and 25 successful skin punctures; observation of 5 arterial punctures; and 8 hours of orientation in a full- service laboratory, AND 40
clock hours of didactic training including anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system, specimen collection, sped-,
men processing and handling, and laboratory operations (eg, safety, quality control, etc). This program must be completed
at a regionally accredited college/university or an accredited laboratory within the last five years, OR
3. High school graduation (or equivalent) AND completion of one year of full-time acceptable experience as a phlebotomy
technician in an accredited laboratory within the lastfiveyears. This experience must include venipunctures, skin punctures, observation of arterial punctures, and orientation in a full-service laboratory. (Full-time experience is considered
thirty-five hours per week.)
For an application, write Géraldine Piskorski, Director of Applicant and Certificam Activities, ASCP Board of Registry, PO
Box 12270, Chicago, IL 60612, or call (312) 738-1336, ext 364. The application fee is $60 and, as mentioned above, the
deadline forapplying is June 1,1989D
Laboratory Medicine May 1989 297
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In announcing the certification, Dr Paul Cherney, chairman of The Board of Registry, said, "The Board of Registry believes
phlebotomists play an important role in the laboratory. They are highly visible and are sometimes the only laboratory representative the patient sees. They also perform thefirststep in the testing process. Their competent collection and identification of blood samples are crucial to accurate test results. By recognizing the competency of the phlebotomist through
certification we can help assure the quality of medical testing."