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NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam GuideUpdated August 2020OverviewThis document is designed to give instructors guidance on preparing students to become Certified Phlebotomy Technicians.The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) provides an industry certification in phlebotomy that can be taken by high schoolstudents. NHA’s certificate is called the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT).This document is based on the September 2018 version of the NHA CPT exam.OutlineIn this guide, you will find:1.2.3.4.5.NHA CPT exam eligibility requirementsCertification exam topic outlineHealthCenter21 modules recommended for CPT exam prepAn in-depth crosswalk of HealthCenter21 to the NHA Test PlanAdditional resources for NHA CPT exam prepPage 1 of 15

1. Eligibility Requirements for the NHA CPT ExamIn order to sit for the NHA CPT exam, students must have all of the following:1. A high school diploma or GED equivalency2. Successful completion of a CPT training programHigh school students may earn provisional certificates prior to graduation. Key information to note includes:1. High school students who meet eligibility requirements must register for the exam within 12 months before graduation2. A provisional certificate expires 12 months from the exam date3. After graduation, graduates may apply to convert the active provisional certificate to a full certificate2. NHA CPT Exam Topic OutlineCore knowledge for a phlebotomy technician includes: Phlebotomy FundamentalsSafety and CompliancePatient PreparationRoutine Blood CollectionsSpecial CollectionsProcessing SpecimensThe NHA CPT exam measures this knowledge by asking questions across six domains:1. Safety and Compliance2. Patient Preparation3. Routine Blood Collections4. Special Collections5. Processing6. Core KnowledgeFor more details on the NHA CPT exam content, see www.nhanow.comPage 2 of 15

3. HealthCenter21 Modules Recommended for CPT Exam PrepHealthCenter21 has many modules that will help your students pass the CPT exam. The chart below is an overview of theHealthCenter21 modules that prepare students for the exam:Health Care Foundations Anatomy & Physiology Bloodborne Pathogens CPR and Basic Life Support Emergency Care Infection Control Legal & Ethical Responsibilities Personal CharacteristicsPatient Care Technician Phlebotomy Specimen Collection and Testing The Health AssistantMedical Office Assistant Medical Office AssistantSee the next page for an in-depth crosswalk between HealthCenter21 and the NHA CPT Test Plan.The coverage of each topic within HealthCenter21 is broken down as being High, Medium, Low, or Not Covered.Page 3 of 15

4. Crosswalk Between NHA CPT Test Plan & HealthCenter21Domain 1: Safety and ComplianceHealthCenter21 LocationHealthCenter21 CoverageTasks:T1. Adhere to regulations regarding workplace safety (e.g.,Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute forOccupational Safety and Health).T2. Adhere to regulations regarding operational standards (e.g., TheJoint Commission, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, Centerfor Disease Control).T3. Adhere to HIPAA regulations regarding protected healthinformation.T4. Adhere to scope of practice and comply with ethical standardsapplicable to the practice of phlebotomy.T5. Perform quality control for laboratory equipment (e.g., maintainlogs for equipment inspection, reporting and troubleshootingequipment issues).T6. Perform quality control (e.g., machine calibration, test controls,storage controls) for CLIA-waived tests.T7. Identify and dispose of sharps and biohazards according toBloodborne Pathogens Standard.T8. Follow exposure control plans in the event of occupationalexposure.T9. Follow transmission-based precautions (e.g., airborne, droplet,contact).Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 1HighModule: Bloodborne PathogensUnit 3, Lesson 1Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 1, Lesson 1Module: Medical Office AssistantUnit 3, Lesson 1Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 1, Lesson 1Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 4, Lesson 5Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 4, Lesson 5Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 1HighHighHighHighHighHighModule: Bloodborne PathogensUnit 3, Lesson 1Module: Bloodborne PathogensUnit 3, Lesson 2Module: Infection ControlUnit 3, Lesson 1Page 4 of 15HighHigh

T10. Follow standard precautions regarding personal protectiveequipment (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks, shoe covers, respirators).T11. Use aseptic and infection control techniques throughout thephlebotomy process.T12. Follow hand hygiene guidelines to prevent the spread ofinfections.T13. Initiate first aid and CPR when necessary (e.g., check for DNRbands).T14. Comply with documentation and reporting requirements.Module: Phlebotomy,Unit 1, Lesson 1HighModule: Infection ControlUnit 3, Lesson 2Module: Phlebotomy,Unit 1, Lesson 1HighModule: Infection ControlUnit 1, Lesson 3Module: Infection ControlUnit 1, Lesson 4Module: CPR and Basic Life SupportAll UnitsHighHighModule: Emergency CareUnit 1, Lesson 1Module: Bloodborne PathogensUnit 3, Lesson 4HighKnowledge Of:K1. Resources and regulations regarding workplace safety (e.g.,Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute forOccupational Safety and Health, Center for Disease Control)K2. Operational standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, Clinical andLaboratory Standards Institute, College of American Pathologists)K3. HIPAA regulationsK4. Manufacturer recommendations for laboratory equipmentK5. Quality control and assurance procedures (e.g., maintaining logs,checking reference ranges, troubleshooting)Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 1HighModule: Bloodborne PathogensUnit 3, Lesson 1Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 1, Lesson 1Module: Medical Office AssistantUnit 3, Lesson 1Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 4, Lesson 2Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 1, Lesson 1Page 5 of 15HighHighHighMedium

K6. Guidelines related to CLIA-waived testsK7. Bloodborne Pathogens StandardK8. Requirements related to biohazards (e.g., cleaning of blood spills,disinfection, disposal, OPIM)Requirements for sharps disposalK9. Requirements for sharps disposalK10. Exposure control protocols (e.g., eye washing, handwashing,showers, notification requirements)Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 1, Lesson 1Module: Bloodborne PathogensUnit 3, Lesson 1Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 1HighHighHighModule: Infection ControlUnit 3, Lesson 2Module: Infection ControlUnit 3, Lesson 1Module: Phlebotomy,Unit 1, Lesson 1K13. Personal protective equipmentK14. Hand hygiene guidelinesHighHighModule: Bloodborne PathogensUnit 3, Lesson 1Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 1Module: Bloodborne PathogensUnit 3, Lesson 5Module: Phlebotomy,Unit 1, Lesson 1K11. Standard precautionsK12. Transmission based precautions (e.g., airborne, droplet, andcontact)HighHighHighModule: Infection ControlUnit 3, Lesson 2Module: Infection ControlUnit 1 Lesson 4Module: CPR and Basic Life SupportAll unitsK15. First aid and CPRHighHighModule: Emergency CareUnit 1, Lesson 1Page 6 of 15

Domain 2: Patient PreparationHealthCenter21 LocationHealthCenter21 CoverageTasks:T1. Introduce yourself to the patient and provide information, such asname, title, and department.T2. Positively identify the patient based on specific identifiers whilefollowing HIPAA guidelines.Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2HighModule: Safety PrecautionsUnit 1Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2T3. Receive implied, informed, or expressed consent from the patient.T4. Review and clarify the requisition form.T5. Verify patient compliance with testing requirements (e.g., fasting,medication, basal state) and proceed accordingly.T6. Interview patients to identify special considerations that mayimpact collections (e.g., allergies, medications, recent surgeries,history of fainting) and proceed accordingly.T7. Explain the phlebotomy procedure to be performed to thepatient.T8. Position the patient to maximize comfort and safety and optimizespecimen collection.HighHighModule: The Health AssistantUnit 6, Lesson 1Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2Not CoveredModule: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2T9. Determine site for specimen collection, based on the Clinical andModule: PhlebotomyLaboratory Standards Institute standards, to minimize patient risk andUnit 4, Lesson 4optimize outcome.Page 7 of 15MediumMediumNot CoveredHighHighHigh

T10. Instruct patients on collection of non-blood specimens (e.g.,stool, urine, semen, sputum).Module: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 1, Lesson 2HighKnowledge Of:Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2K1. Patient IdentifiersHighModule: Safety PrecautionsUnit 1Module: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2K2. Informed, expressed, or implied consent requirementsHighModule: Safety PrecautionsUnit 1K3. Requirements of requisition forms (e.g., patient demographics,physician information, diagnosis code, tests ordered, test priority)K4. Timing requirements of draws (e.g., peaks and troughs, stats,routines, time of day).K5. Testing requirements (e.g., fasting, medication, basal state)K6. Patient interviewing techniquesK7. Variables that may impact collections (e.g., allergies, medications,recent surgeries, history of fainting)K8. Special considerations (e.g., age, physical and mental condition)K9. Non-blood specimen collection proceduresK10. Minimum and maximum blood volume requirementsK11. Patient positioningK12. Site selection criteriaNot CoveredNot CoveredNot CoveredNot CoveredNot CoveredModule: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2Not CoveredNot CoveredNot CoveredNot CoveredModule: Specimen Collection and TestingUnit 1, Lesson 2Not CoveredModule: PhlebotomyUnit 1, Lesson 2Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Not CoveredPage 8 of 15MediumHighNot CoveredHighHigh

Domain 3: Routine Blood CollectionsHealthCenter21 LocationHealthCenter21 CoverageTasks:T1. Select and assemble equipment (e.g., evacuated tube system,syringe, winged collection set) needed for blood collection(s).T2. Verify quality of equipment (e.g., sterility, expiration date,manufacturer’s defects).T3. Follow standard tourniquet application and removal procedures.T4. Select final site through observation and palpation, for specimencollection.T5. Apply antiseptic agent to blood collection site.T6. Anchor below venipuncture site.T7. Insert venipuncture device.T8. Follow order of draw when performing venipuncture.T9. Ensure patient safety throughout the collection by identifyingproblematic patient signs and symptoms (e.g., syncope, diaphoresis,nausea, seizure).T10. Recognize and respond to potential complications resulting fromprocedure (e.g., lack of blood flow, hematoma, petechiae, nervepain).T11. Remove venipuncture device.T12. Invert evacuated tubes with additives according to proceduralguidelines.T13. Perform dermal puncture for capillary collection based onpatient age and condition.T14. Follow order of draw when performing capillary collection.Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4HighHighHighHighHighHighHighHighModule: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 5LowModule: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 5HighModule: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 4Module: PhlebotomyUnit 2, Lesson 1Module: PhlebotomyUnit 4, Lesson 3Page 9 of 15HighHighHighHigh