Most people are aware that there are numerous employment opportunities available within the medical field. Yet, when it comes to considering medical careers, the first career path that comes to mind is nursing. While there are certainly plenty of career opportunities available in nursing, making this a great career option if you are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, there are many other types of jobs within the medical field that you might also want to consider pursuing. One of these areas is phlebotomy.

What is Phlebotomy?

Put simply, phlebotomy refers to the practice of drawing blood. If you have ever had to go to the lab in order to get some bloodwork completed, a phlebotomist was the person who drew the blood for you. Therefore, in order to pursue a career as a phlebotomist, you have to be comfortable with needles and with seeing blood. In addition, it is important for you to consider the comfort of the patient and to have a calming and reassuring personality. This way, you can help soothe the nerves of a patient who may be scared of needles or who may get light-headed at the sight of blood.

How Do I Become a Phlebotomist?

The exact requirements for becoming a phlebotomist vary from state to state, so it is important for you to look into your state’s requirements before enrolling in a phlebotomy school. In some states, earning a phlebotomy certificate or simply taking a phlebotomy certificate class or two beyond your nursing degree may be all that is required for you to start a career in this specialty field. In other states, you may need to attend a phlebotomy college in order to earn a phlebotomy degree before you can begin working in the field. You may also need to become certified by one of several different professional associations, such as:

· Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology
· American Medical Technologists
· National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel
· Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts

How Much Can I Earn After Becoming a Certified Phlebotomist?

After completing a phlebotomy certificate program or a phlebotomy degree program, you can potentially earn a very attractive income. According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the median hourly wage for phlebotomists working in hospitals was $11.70 in 2005. Those working in private clinics earned $12.15, while those working in a physician office laboratory earned $11.25 per hour.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that those who were working as clinical laboratory technologists earned median annual salary of $49,700 in May of 2006 while those working as clinical laboratory technicians earned a median annual salary of $32,840 during that same time period.