How to Become a Phlebotomist in Georgia

Wondering how to become a phlebotomist in Georgia?

Start by completing training through a specialized trade school or community college program.

After your courses, you can take a certification exam to become a licensed phlebotomist and qualify for well-paying phlebotomist jobs in Georgia.

Education and Training

Required Courses

Although each institution has a unique course curriculum, phlebotomy students typically take classes like:

Medical Lab Terminology
Blood and Blood Components
Proper Blood Draw Equipment Use and Disposal Practices
Blood Drawing Order and Practices
Venipuncture, Vacutainers, Butterflies, and Syringes
Finger and Heel Sticks
Bleeding Times, Blood Cultures, and Glucose Tolerance Testing
Techniques for Difficult Blood Draws
Universal Precautions and Safety Precautions
Charting, Reporting, and Updating Patient Records
HIPPA and Patient Rights

Additional Topics Covered

Since many patients and blood donors become nervous or anxious during blood draws, your instructor might also cover basic communication and patient monitoring practices. During these classes, you’ll learn how to develop a calming bedside manner and put patients at ease during procedures.

Clinical Practicum

Once they learn fundamental blood drawing principles and practices in the classroom, aspiring phlebotomists in GA must receive hands-on training to practice their skills. At some schools, you can complete this portion of your training program in an on-campus medical simulation lab, performing venipuncture sticks on medical mannequins.

Externships

You can also participate in an externship at a local clinic or blood donation center to earn your clinical hours. In these settings, you’ll work under the direct supervision of a licensed phlebotomist or CNA, collecting blood and fluid samples from actual patients and donors. Each school sets its own requirements for how many hours or sticks you’ll need to complete in order to graduate.

How Long is Phlebotomy School in GA?

Most training certificate courses for phlebotomists in GA take about six or seven weeks to complete. However, it might take three to six months to finish training at some schools. Students can also take intensive courses at schools that offer 48 hours of classroom and hands-on training.

Program Cost

Tuition, books, and fees for a phlebotomy tech program in GA vary, depending on where you enroll. At some schools, tuition for a phlebotomy course costs about $500. Other institutions might charge roughly $800 or as much as $1,600. Additional fees for registration and study materials might increase the price of your program by $100 or more.

Tuition Assistance

Aspiring phlebotomists who work as medical assistants, EMTs, or in other healthcare positions might be able to take phlebotomy training classes through employer-sponsored programs. Your company might cover the cost of tuition for employees who want to learn the skills to qualify for phlebotomist jobs in Georgia. Check your job’s policies and list of employee benefits to see if this perk is available.

Georgia Phlebotomist Requirements

Although a phlebotomy certification is optional in GA, having an official credential might make it easier to qualify for well-paying phlebotomy jobs in Georgia.

Certification Options

You can obtain your certification through an organization like:

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
The National Phlebotomy Association (NPA)
The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

Each of these agencies has its own requirements for earning a certified phlebotomy technician (CPT) credential.

Applying for Certification

However, hopefuls typically need to submit the following in order to be eligible for certification:

A copy of your high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Proof of graduation from an accredited phlebotomy technician educational program
Documentation showing at least one year of supervised training in a clinical setting OR proof of completion of a set number of venipuncture sticks

Registering for the Exam

After submitting these documents, you can register for your chosen phlebotomy tech certification exam. Candidates who pass their tests receive an official credential and can begin applying for jobs in their areas.

Employee Requirements

Your chosen employer might have some additional requirements that you must meet before you can become eligible for hire. For example, most hospitals, clinics, and blood and plasma donation centers expect applicants to meet the following criteria:

Be at least 18 years of age
Have a high school diploma or GED
Pass a criminal background check and drug screening

Phlebotomist Salaries in GA

While the average phlebotomist salary in Georgia is about $36,067 per year, your annual earnings may differ, depending on where you live. Check out the following list of regional wage information to learn how much phlebotomists make in GA:

Atlanta $37,066
Gainesville $38,542
Albany $38,709
Savannah $36,358
Augusta $36,629
Macon $35,901

Specific phlebotomist jobs in Georgia pay different wages, as well. For example, a mobile phlebotomist who travels between multiple job sites can earn as much as $46,500 per year. Meanwhile, phlebotomists working in medical labs might make up to $64,000 annually.

Job Description

Phlebotomists are healthcare professionals who work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and blood donation centers. During their workdays, these workers perform the following tasks:

Verify patient or donor identity before a procedure
Assemble sterile needles, tubes, and containers
Explain the sample collection process to the patient or donor
Collect blood and fluid samples for testing or processing
Help nervous patients relax throughout blood draws
Dispose of used needles and medical tools in the correct containers
Label samples and send them to the required labs for testing
Enter information for each sample collection into the appropriate database

Career Outlook

According to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomists in the U.S. might have a relatively easy time finding work over the next decade. Experts predict that the demand for phlebotomists will likely increase by about 10 percent between 2021 and 2031. Having the proper training and credentials can help phlebotomists in GA take advantage of this projected growth rate.

Phlebotomist in GA