Changes to California Phlebotomy Training Programs

California is often a pioneer in healthcare industry workplace regulations. We wanted to inform LabNotes readers of this very important change taking place in California in the area of phlebotomy certification, as it may be the start of a trend that other states or the federal government will soon follow.

As of January 9, 2003, long-awaited phlebotomy regulations were signed into law by California's Secretary of State. These regulations took effect on April 9, 2003. As of this date, all phlebotomy training programs must obtain approval from Laboratory Field Services (LFS) before offering any phlebotomy instruction. Please be aware of one area of serious concern to existing training programs:

• Instructors: Phlebotomists with three out of five years of current experience and presently employed as phlebotomy instructors may continue to teach up to December 31, 2003. However, from now until December 31, 2003, the instructors must become a "Certified Phlebotomy Technician I or II" under the new standards. This means that they must attend an approved training program and pass a certifying examination given by an approved certifying organization. Licensed instructors (MD, RN, CLS, CLB, RPT) must pass a certifying examination by December 31, 2003 in order to continue teaching in the future.

In order for a training program to prepare for the approval process once the regulations go into effect, the program personnel can obtain from Laboratory Field Services (LFS) the following documents:

1. Application Form labeled "LAB 180"
2. Instruction Sheet
3. New Regulations and Statute
4. Excerpts From California Statutes and Regulations Governing Unlicensed Laboratory Personnel Performing Phlebotomy
5. "How to Obtain a Phlebotomy Certificate"
6. Regulation Overview
7. Regulation Time line
8. Internet Addresses
9. FAQ's
10. Certifying Organizations List

The above information was taken from a letter issued by the California Department of Health Services. For further information, please contact the authors Gwen Wong (510) 873-6449 or Nancy Stone (510) 873-6434 at the California Department of Health Services, Laboratory Field Services 1111 Broadway, 19^th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-4036 or visit the website at www.dhs.ca.gov.

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