Which of the following tasks is within a phlebotomy technicians scope of practice?

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: . 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.