Phlebotomy Certification: ASCP Is More Equal Than Most

Down on George Orwell’s Animal Farm, all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. It’s an axiom that also might also apply to some agencies when students go looking to obtain a phlebotomy certification.

Even the most astute student can become overwhelmed as they seek to become certified by an agency that will not only best prepare them for a career in phlebotomy, but also look best on a resume.

But which agency should you choose?

One source cited four such agencies: The American Certification Agency, American Medical Technologists, National Center for Competency Testing and the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Of them all, the American Society for Clinical Pathology is the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest. That’s because ASCP is universally recognized as the preeminent certification agency of non-physician laboratory professionals, including phlebotomy technicians.

Founded May 22, 1922 at the American Medical Association annual meeting in St. Louis by Dr. Ward Burdick and a group of 39 physicians, the ASCP’s mission was to “achieve greater scientific proficiency in clinical pathology, and to maintain the status of clinical pathologists on an equal plane with other specialists.”

The doctors were so convinced of the association’s mission that it drafted its bylaws overnight. The next day, more than 100 physicians were in attendance as the Society came to fruition with 145 charter members.

Today, ASCP boasts more than 130,000 members, ranging from pathologists and other physicians to laboratory professionals and students. The organization offers more than 300 Continuing Medical Education (CME) and self-study programs for pathologists and laboratory medicine professionals each year.

Just as importantly, the ASCP’s Board of Certification — itself accredited by the American National Standards Institute — is considered the “gold standard” for pathologists’ assistants and laboratory professionals. The board is administratively independent from ASCP, and prepares relevant standars and develops procedures to ensure the competence of non-physician medical laboratory personnel.

ASCP’s Board of Registry (as it was then called) became the first certification agency for laboratory personnel in 1928, six years after its founding. This new function came about as more physicians and clinicians began to recognize the quality of laboratory test results (and the impact that those results could have on patient care) depend not only on the clinical pathologist but also upon the training and qualifications of the person directly performing the test.

Even today, that remains an important consideration as ASCP’s Board of Certification (BOC), an approved certification organization by the California Department of Public Health, offers a certification examination in Phletobomy Technician, PBT (ASCP) as well as a Donor Phlebotomy Technician, DPT (ASCP). Exams are administered on computer year round by appointment, but it is the student’s responsibility to complete all licensure requirements of their state.

The first step in the BOC licensure process, is simple: You must meet the eligibility requirements. The second step is to submit the required documents — a completed PBT application form, completed PBT phlebotomy reference form for California Approved Phlebotomy Programs and a release form.

Step 3: If it is determined from your documentation that you are eligible for examination, you’ll receive an admission notice from the Board. You will be instructed to call and make your appointment for taking the exam on the computer at a testing location of your choice. along with a non-refundable application fee ($125) to the ASCP Board of Certification office.

Step 4: Study for the exam. Study materials can be found on the ASCP web site, and include online practice tests, study guides, exam content guidelines and a reading list.

Step 5: Take the exam. Upon completion of the test, you’ll immediately see your pass or fail result on the screen.

Step 6: Receive your examination scores within 10 business days. If you completed and submitted the release form, you scores will also be mailed to the California Department of Public Health.

Step 7: Receive your certification — which is good for three years — and your Certification Maintenance Program packet to maintain your certification.

The final step? Smile —you’re now a little more equal than other non-certified phlebotomists.

For more information on certification and the ASCP, visit www.ascp.org or call 1-800-267-2727.