The National Association of Phlebotomy Technicians was formed when a need was identified for National Certification in Phlebotomy that focused primarily on the venisection procedure  as opposed to a students ability to pass a written exam.  It was noted in National studies that many Phlebotomist’s had attained certification in Phlebotomy without having to draw any blood at all.  There ability to gain certification was based solely on the quantity of hours they spent in class.

NAPT decided to change that, and determined, again through long term national research studies that the most qualified Phlebotomist’s came from schools where the students performed at least 100 live venipunctures in real arms.  Employers indicated to the NAPT that the number one struggle in hiring students directly from the Phlebotomy class setting, was the fact that the students were ill-prepared in the hands on skill set the employers felt Phlebotomist’s should have.  In addition it was noted that even when a student had a sufficient skill set they lacked the ability to cope with the wide variety of issues that a Phlebotomist can come across during a blood draw.

The NAPT in 2000 began recruiting schools nationwide who believed in focusing on an aggressive approach to hands on training coupled with just the right amount of book training.  Since 2000 the NAPT has signed up 27 schools nationwide, and is extremely selective in the process of becoming a NAPT approved school.  Certain stipulations must be met in order to be an NAPT school that correlate to owner/instructor experience, curriculum and most importantly … hands on experience.  For more information about becoming an NAPT approved training and testing facility, click here.