Purpose of The NHCWA Certification Exams
The purpose of the NHCWA examination is to ensure that healthcare professional’s demonstrate the necessary level of competence for entry into the healthcare profession. Critical to the validity of the examination process is the premise that the exam content truly reflects the nature and scope of professional practice. This vital link of assurance is established through the exam development process, which includes the job analysis study, determination of test specifications, and construction of the exam content outline.
Benefits of Certification
NHCWA Certification allows healthcare workers and employers to validate their knowledge and abilities and the mastery of industry-specific skills. Meanwhile, recertification reflects a commitment to ongoing learning and meeting new practice requirements. Organizations that are NHCWA certified can successfully demonstrate to patients, employees and other companies that they use industry-respected best practices.
Additionally:
Certification provides individuals with:
- Certification helps demonstrate to stakeholders that the healthcare business is run effectively.
- Achieving certification improves overall performance, removes uncertainty and widens market opportunities.
- Maintaining certification shows that an organization is continually improving and refining its activities.
- The regular assessment process helps improve staff responsibility, commitment and motivation.
- Public recognition of professional achievement
- Credential that demonstrates expertise in healthcare
- Enhanced credibility to clients and employers
- Competitive advantage over non-certified individuals
- Improved likelihood of employment and advancement within the field
Employers use certification to make informed decisions. Certification provides employers with a means to:
- Identify potential new hires that already possess your company’s required expertise
- Promote your company’s capabilities by employing certified healthcare professionals
- Enhance services provided from both a quality and financial perspective
- Maintain a more productive human asset
- Ensure ongoing professional development and proficiency of employees
- Motivate employees to expand their knowledge and skills
NHCWA Certification Benefits for Healthcare Professionals: By becoming certified, healthcare professionals can validate their expert knowledge and skills. They can therefore position themselves for appropriate recognition and a critical sense of confidence and achievement.
NHCWA Certification Benefits for Employers: Achieving NHCWA certification (and meeting the continuing education requirements necessary to maintain it) can contribute to an environment of professionalism and a culture of employee retention. This is especially critical given the severe shortage of qualified healthcare workers. Certification is also a vehicle for hospitals to distinguish themselves from competitors. It demonstrates to consumers that the organization attracts only the most skilled and experienced healthcare professionals.
NHCWA Certification Benefits Patients and Families: Knowing that the healthcare professional caring for them has been certified can give patients and their families peace of mind. NHCWA certification provides validation that the medical organization and its employees have demonstrated the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the complex requirements of their specialty.
Standards of Certification
Standards of certification are distinct from those of licensure. While state licensure provides the legal authority and is required or mandatory for an individual to practice patient care, private voluntary certification is a statement that one has completed a course of study, passed an examination, or otherwise met specified criteria for certification. In addition Certification is obtained through individual patient care certifying organizations and reflects achievement of a standard beyond licensure for patient care practice. Possession of a Board certificate does not indicate total qualification for practice privileges, nor does it imply exclusion of other healthcare professionals not certified.
Certification/Licensing: Each individual state decides licensing requirements for Phlebotomy Technicians, but most states do not at this time.
Check the state’s requirements if you live in California or Louisiana before you register for the phlebotomy Exam.
California and Louisiana requires all Phlebotomy Technicians to be certified and to have a state license.