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
Many Georgia trade schools, community colleges, and even vocational high school programs offer phlebotomy tech 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.