Education & Training

Becoming a licensed or certified phlebotomist is an excellent career choice for someone interested in health care with real ‘people’ skills. Phlebotomist training programs can take up to a year, and the regulations regarding phlebotomy vary from state to state. In addition to learning the correct procedure for obtaining blood and other bodily fluid samples, phlebotomists receive training in lab procedures, including sterilization practices and the correct handling of bio-materials, data entry and medical record maintenance. And then there is one of the most important parts of the job: patient relations.

Employment Opportunities

A blood sample is the cornerstone of any medical diagnosis and doctors, nurses and health care institutions are increasingly reliant on trained, skilled phlebotomists to get these samples. Phlebotomy isn’t just the practice of collecting and processing blood and other bodily fluid samples in a hospital lab or doctors’ office. Trained phlebotomists have many career options including:

Supervising the operations of blood banks
Mobile services for homebound senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses
Specializing in neo-natal and pediatric phlebotomy

An ample blood supply is part of every community’s emergency preparations. Certified phlebotomists with training in public health are part of team that keeps both the supply current and the data accurate. A growing trend in keeping elderly and chronically ill patients at home has opened the door to offering more diagnostic services on a mobile basis, including phlebotomy. Babies and children present a special challenge, especially when it comes to getting blood samples, and often need special expertise.

Job Outlook & Salary

Health care remains one of the most stable employment areas with solid growth potential. A certified phlebotomist’s salary starts in the mid-20K range, however an experienced phlebotomist can double that amount. And keep in mind, these kind of career opportunities often comes with benefits including health insurance, 401ks and paid vacations. Another consideration in becoming a certified phlebotomist is it presents an excellent ‘earn while you learn’ step if you are interesting in pursuing a career in other related health care fields such as nursing, or becoming a medical assistant, x-ray, surgical or ultrasound technician, or respiratory therapist.

Take the next step! Find schools that offer phlebotomy training.