The Best Phlebotomy Study Guide of 2024

If you want to become a phlebotomist (also called phlebotomy technician), you may already know that it is a person who draws venous blood for tests and donations.

Depending on the state you are going to work in and the employer, you may be trained on the job without having previous experience or medical education. Many employers and states like California require you to get a diploma or certificate in phlebotomy.

In this post, we will review the best phlebotomy study guides for different providers of phlebotomy certification or your personal studying. Make sure to read a few useful tips on choosing a perfect study guide for you that we have for you at the end of the post.

If you want to just get back to studying, get our top pick for phlebotomy study guides here.

Last update: 2024-05-03

Our Favorites for Best Phlebotomy Study Guide

Phlebotomy Exam Flashcard Study System by Phlebotomy Exam Secrets Test Prep Team

This system uses repetition as the key to effective studying and passing the phlebotomy test.

The cards are conveniently structured into sections and cover information from anatomy and medical terminology to procedures and legal issues.

Offered in our post edition is designed for general test preparation. This study guide has different versions, each designed specifically for ASCP, NHA, AMT, NCPT, and NCCT tests.

Why Choose this Study Guide:

• With flashcards, you don’t need to memorize large blocks of information, as it is divided into small bits that are easy to learn.
• The language of the cards is straightforward and easy to understand without any extra terminology that you will not need.

What Makes this Study Guide Unique:

• The cards are made of high-quality heavy paper and are laser-printed. They will not smear or wear out even with extra heavy usage, which means you can buy a used copy or sell yours. The cards are also the perfect size to hold in your hands and not too small (3.67 x 4.25 inches).
• There is a Quizlet app or website with flashcards. This study guide, unlike Quizlet, offers in-depth explanations to each concept, and you won’t need to check a textbook every time.

Last update: 2024-05-03

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Phlebotomy Exam Practice Questions: Phlebotomy Practice Tests & Review for the Phlebotomy Exam by Phlebotomy Exam Secrets Test Prep Team

This study guide uses direct, educative, and pragmatic questions to prepare you for the exam.

The questions with answer keys will help practice both technical and theoretical information.

Why Choose this Study Guide:

• If you practice tests and not only study, you understand your level of knowledge and know what to work on more.
• Practicing test-like questions at home helps you feel more confident about your upcoming test. It will also improve your results because you will be familiar with the kinds of questions and answers on the real test.

What Makes this Study Guide Unique:

• The book covers all information you need for the test. Many students mentioned it covered what their school left off.
• You can probably find a phlebotomy study guide with questions and answers for free. But the answers to the tests in this book are not just one or two words. In the back of each test, you will find a detailed break-down of the question, which is easy to understand.

Last update: 2024-05-03

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BOC Phlebotomy Study Guide by Susan Phelan 

The author has more than 20 years of experience in writing phlebotomy textbooks. This study guide is published by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which means you will get quality content from it. Make sure to get the second edition of BOC Phlebotomy Study Guide published in 2018 unless a later version comes out soon. The book is conveniently divided into small sections that cover all parts of the test.

Why Choose this Study Guide:

• You get not only a textbook but also over 1300 questions to prepare for your upcoming test.
• All images and questions in the book appear just as they do on the BOC certification test.

What Makes this Study Guide Unique:

• The content of the book was evaluated by BOC-selected experts.
• You will receive exam preparation tips and a sample of study workflows.

Last update: 2024-05-03

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Runner Ups for Best Phlebotomy Study Guide

The Phlebotomy Textbook by Susan King Strasinger and Marjorie Schaub Di Lorenzo

This guide covers most procedures, descriptions of punctures, safety information, specimen requirements, troubleshooting, and much more. Also, it provides you with valuable technical and safety tips.

It is written following OSHA and CLSI guidelines.

Why Choose this Study Guide:

• It provides many step-by-step instructions with images that help memorize the exact order of procedures.
• The guide overviews all critical concepts for the exam. While we don’t recommend it instead of a textbook, it will be handy for your learning process, especially when you can’t carry a large textbook.

What Makes this Study Guide Unique:

• It is literally pocket size and will fit in your hand but a bit thick. The print is small, which can be an issue for people with vision problems.
• The book is useful for students and new professionals as it answers most phlebotomist questions and answers. It is also washable so you can sanitize it when needed.

Last update: 2024-05-04

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Phlebotomy Essentials by Ruth E. McCall and Cathee M. Tankersley

This book is the most recommended by students, instructors, and phlebotomy technicians.

New updated editions come out frequently. If you get the most recent one, you can be sure that the information in it is up to date. This guide explains everything you may ever need, including the history of phlebotomy, new laws, ethics concepts, practice tests, procedures steps, etc.

Why Choose this Study Guide:

• The book is very comprehensive and is written with new to medicine students in mind.
• This guide contains clear tables, diagrams, images, and charts. The information boxes, key terms sections, and Key Point boxes that increase your interest in the subject and make it easier to stay focused.

What Makes this Study Guide Unique:

• Many students said this book alone was enough to prepare for their tests. But if you are not convinced, an optional Exam Review book, Workbook, and internet resources are available to help you study.
• This book is designed not only for students but also for professionals of any level. It has a lot of information that will help in your career.

Last update: 2024-05-04

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Phlebotomy: Worktext and Procedures Manual by Robin S. Warekois

This study guide overcomes all other ones in terms of technical details.

With storyboard illustrations of step-by-step procedures, updated content on emergency procedures, new laboratory tests, safety tips, job duties, it will prepare you for the examination, and most importantly, for your future career.

Why Choose this Study Guide:

• Each theoretical section ends with test questions that help you understand how well you learned the information.
• The book focuses on the real-life challenges of phlebotomists and provides useful tips instead of only teaching theory. Theoretical information is also excellent.

What Makes this Study Guide Unique:

• The book is excellent information-wise, but many students complained about the quality (ink stays on hands, pages fall out). We recommend buying an ebook version.
• Its online resources collection includes an audio glossary, interactive tasks, animations focusing on physiology and anatomy, and numerous videos.

Last update: 2024-05-04

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Value Pick for Best Phlebotomy Study Guide

Phlebotomy Study Guide for Certification: Exam Review Book with Practice Test Questions for the ASCP BOC Phlebotomy Technician Examination by Ascencia Phlebotomy Exam Prep Team

This study guide will provide you with a full review of the information for your upcoming certification exam.

Other guides by this publisher available specifically for NHA, NCCT and NCPT tests.

Why Choose this Study Guide:

• A full practice test is included in the guide so that you will be better prepared for the real exam.
• The book will familiarize you with examples of real-life phlebotomists’ problems and teach you how to deal with them and any issues that may occur.

What Makes this Study Guide Unique:

• This study guide will provide you with all information you need quickly without any extra textbooks.
• The textbook is excellent! What’s even better is the free online flashcards, practice tests, tips, and study cheat sheets that you get with this guide’s purchase. You can easily use them on your smartphone or tablet.

Last update: 2024-05-04

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How to Choose the Best Phlebotomy Study Guide for You

To know which study guide is best for you:

1. If you are planning on becoming a certified phlebotomy technician, pick a training course first. They will provide you with the required books, and at least one of them will be a study guide.
2. Most likely, the course will also recommend a certification agency that will set the exam. Or you can look through certification agencies and pick one yourself if there are no limitations from your future employer or your training program. Pick a study guide written for each particular test when possible.
3. Think of learning techniques you like to use. For example, if you think that repetition works well for you, consider using flashcards; if you remember visual information best, choose a guide with many pictures, tables, and graphs.
4. Check if study guides offer any extra material like apps, online resources, etc.

Well, there are a few things you need to know before you pick your study guide.

• Always look for the most recent edition of the study guide you want to get. The latest version will be updated with the most accurate information and corrected mistakes. Many guides publish new editions every year.
• Don’t necessarily buy books at the campus stores; their prices are often way too high.
• We highly recommend purchasing new study guides, especially if you are preparing for a test. The used ones often have notes, highlights, test answers marked. You can probably find phlebotomy study guides published not later than 2018, but if you want the newest ones likely 2020-2021, you will need to buy them. In most cases, if there are online supplements, you won’t get access to them with a used guide or downloaded free one.
• Even if you have the best textbook, make sure to practice as many test questions as possible, and review other materials.

Is being a phlebotomist worth it? Only you can decide that for yourself, but we will list some pros and cons that may help.

Pros

• No medical education needed other than a training program and obtaining a certificate
• Stable salary which increases with your experience
• Low unemployment rate (4%)
• Benefits typically provided by employers (health insurance, 401k, paid sick leave)
• Healthcare industry is always a secure one to work in
• Many places to work at (hospitals, emergency clinics, private practices, nursing homes, blood banks, etc.)
• Growth opportunities

Cons

• Training and certificate cost (≈ $700-$3000 training program, ≈ $200 books, ≈$90-$150 certification)
• Working with sick people and pathogens (not in all cases)
• Stressful work environment (long hours, inflexible schedule, unpredicted situations, stresses colleagues)
• Seeing and dealing with difficult situations (severe injuries and illnesses, sick kids)
• Stressed and unpleasant patients that require individual approaches

Wrapping Things Up: The Best Phlebotomy Study Guide

Putting everything together, in this guide we reviewed the following:

Last update: 2024-05-03

The guides we reviewed are the most recommended by the training programs, students, and phlebotomists. With their help and with sufficient effort, you will pass your certification test and improve phlebotomy knowledge much needed for your career.

But before you pick a study guide, choose a training program. You will get a list of required texts, and one of the mentioned in this post books is most likely to be on it. Try to choose a guide written particularly for the test you will be taking. Remember that new textbooks often offer many additional online resources and will have no markings on their pages. Please read our advice for more useful tips and the pros and cons of being a phlebotomist.

Becoming a phlebotomist is an essential step in your career. Even though it can be confusing at first, we are confident you will make it.

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