The demand for medical technicians such as phlebotomists is expected to grow steadily during the next ten years, making this one of the most in-demand careers at the moment. Benefits of studying phlebotomy include the fact that you can complete a training program in approximately 84 credit hours, and can usually take courses online. The first step towards this exciting and well compensated career path is to research online phlebotomy programs, to find out more about the requirements for program completion. It's also helpful to learn a little bit more about the history and practice of phlebotomy, so that you understand what this profession entails.

A phlebotomist is the healthcare professional who is responsible for taking blood samples from patients, performing routine and specialized tests on them, and analyzing the results. Oftentimes a phlebotomist must be able to work with a physician in the analysis of these results, to detect disorders or diseases when there are no other symptoms. Phlebotomy requires clinical skills, technological skills, and an ability to work with the public. The best online phlebotomy programs will cover all of these various aspects of the career, to prepare students for real life clinical situations.

When you are comparing various online phlebotomy programs, be sure that you look for those taught by accredited, completely certified professionals who have experience in the field. You can look at online directories to see what the various locations and prerequisites are of each training program. Most will require that you have at least a high school degree, with courses in biology and anatomy being helpful as a prerequisite. The actual taught courses will be geared towards preparing students to pass the national exam, to become certified as a phlebotomist. Combining coursework at a training center, university, or technical college with experience received on the job is the best way to prepare for these exams.

Students who have already become certified phlebotomists but wish to keep building on their skill set can look at online phlebotomy programs that offer continuing education courses. Some healthcare professionals who might be interested in these courses could include working registered nurses, doctors, physicians, paramedics, and nurse practitioners, as well as phlebotomists. These courses are usually approved by the Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians, or the Department of Radiologic Health, among other organizations.

There are three main organizations which offer certification in phlebotomy, including the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians, and the National Phlebotomy Association. Each has their own list of core requirements. The best online phlebotomy programs will give you all of the technical skills that you need to qualify for these certifications. It's also a good idea to supplement online or classroom hours with work experience. Some clinical settings in which students can gain experience include nursing homes, doctor's offices, and community health clinics. This will help put you on the right track towards a fulfilling and high paid career in phlebotomy, one of the fastest growing professions in the medical industry today.