Illinois is the #4 state in the USA for phlebotomy employment, according to the Bureau of Labor.
It’s a great place to start a career in this high demand healthcare field!
Education and Training
Before you can start applying for jobs in Illinois, you’ll need to complete an accredited training program.
Several Illinois trade schools and community colleges offer phlebotomy tech courses for students looking to learn the tools of the trade.
How Will You Benefit From a Training Course?
The courses above are designed to help you pass the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam from the NHA.
More information on these certifications below.
How Long Does it Take?
The time period to complete the course is 12 months.
Students that dedicated a lot time to studying each week can finish even sooner. Its up to you, because online classes are self paced.
What is the Cost?
$2300. Note: this cost will also covers the exam fee.
What Do You Study?
Below is a breakdown of typical study topics:
Role and Responsibilities
- Summarizing the role and responsibilities of a phlebotomy technician
- Choosing ethical behavior that upholds the rights and dignity of patients
Anatomy and Medical Terminology
- Basic anatomy as it applies to blood and its functions
- Medical Terminology:
- The Musculoskeletal System
- The Cardiovascular System
- The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
- The Respiratory System
- The Digestive System
- The Urinary System
- The Nervous System
- The Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
- The Integumentary System
- The Endocrine System
- The Reproductive System
- Medical Laboratory Terminology
Safety and Infection Control
- Personal and patient safety
- Infection control
- Applying quality and safety measures as they relate to phlebotomy
- Universal precautions and safety procedures
Legal and Ethical Matters
- HIPAA regulations and patient privacy guidelines
- Legal and ethical matters
Blood Collection Process
- Foundations and preparation for blood collection
- Performing sample collections
- Venipuncture with syringes, butterflies, and vacutainers
- Finger and heel sticks
- Bleeding times, blood cultures, glucose tolerance testing
- Post-collection procedures
- Specialized techniques for difficult draws
Specialized Procedures
- Dermal puncture and capillary collection
- Post-collection procedures for dermal puncture and capillary collection
- Special collections
- Non-blood collections and less commonly performed procedures
Lab Procedures and Operations
- Lab procedures, processing, and operations
- Diagnostic procedures, nuclear medicine, pharmacology
- Quality control
- Data entry procedures and software use
Communication Skills
Some patients and blood donors have phobias that relate to needles or become anxious during blood draws.
Because of this, many phlebotomy tech programs help students develop a calming bedside manner and effective communication skills that they can use to soothe patients during blood draw procedures.
Clinical Rotations
In addition to completing traditional classroom instruction, students must undergo hands-on training before they can qualify for phlebotomy technician jobs in Illinois.
Some schools have on-campus medical simulation clinics where students can practice venipuncture sticks on medical mannequins as well as volunteer faculty and staff.
Internship Opportunities
Other institutions partner with local outpatient clinics, nursing homes, blood banks, and other medical care facilities to provide internship opportunities for aspiring phlebotomy technicians in IL.
During these programs, students work under the supervision of licensed phlebotomists and nurses, performing blood draws on actual patients and blood donors.
Other Local Trade Schools
- Chicago
- Olney, Fairfield, Robinson, Mt. Carmel
- Harwood Heights
- Springfield, East Peoria, Moline
- Springfield
City College of Chicago (Rating: 4.4 out 5)
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (Rating: 4.6 out 5)
The Phlebotomy program at Frontier Community College prepares students for a career in healthcare in just two semesters through hands-on learning and real-world experience. Students will master blood collection techniques, perform diagnostic tests, and complete clinical hours in local hospital laboratories, all while gaining essential skills in patient care, safety, and communication. Graduates are equipped to enter the workforce as skilled phlebotomists, ready to support patient health through precise and ethical blood sample collection.
Illinois Health Careers (Rating: 4.6 out 5)
The Illinois Health Careers Phlebotomy Program is a 10-week, hands-on course designed to prepare students for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam. With flexible payment options, including discounts for military veterans and active-duty personnel, the program offers practical training and in-depth knowledge in phlebotomy techniques, patient care, and laboratory procedures, all aimed at meeting industry standards and enhancing career prospects in the healthcare field.
Midwest Technical Institute (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
The Phlebotomy program at Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) offers an accelerated, hands-on training course that can be completed in just 5 weeks, preparing students for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam. With flexible daytime classes and real-world instruction from experienced professionals, the program emphasizes practical skills in venipuncture, specimen handling, and infection control, making it ideal for those seeking entry-level employment in the healthcare field. Career placement assistance is also available to help graduates succeed in their new careers.
WorkForce Institute (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
Salary Range
Average salary in the state from major employment websites:
- $36,872: ZipRecruiter.com
- $38,513: Talent.com
- $40,708: Salary.com
- $43,450: Bureau of Labor Statistcis
- $50,071: Indeed.com
Depending on which area of the state you live in, the average salary in may differ slightly.
| Area | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $19.88 | $41,350.00 |
| Carbondale-Marion | $18.81 | $39,130.00 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $19.87 | $41,330.00 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $21.61 | $44,940.00 |
| Decatur | $20.44 | $42,520.00 |
| East Central Illinois | $19.06 | $39,640.00 |
| Northwest Illinois | $18.91 | $39,330.00 |
| Peoria | $18.70 | $38,900.00 |
| Rockford | $20.20 | $42,010.00 |
| South Illinois | $17.39 | $36,170.00 |
| Springfield | $19.91 | $41,410.00 |
| West Central Illinois | $18.79 | $39,080.00 |
source: data.bls.gov
Occupation: Phlebotomists (SOC Code319097)
Again, more experienced phlebotomy techs typically earn higher salaries, so you might eventually make closer to $50,000 per year.
If you obtain additional certifications and get a management or supervisory position, you can boost your annual earnings even higher.
Illinois Requirements
Illinois is one of many states that allow unlicensed individuals to work as phlebotomy techs.
Because of this, you can qualify for most phlebotomy technician jobs in Illinois as long as you meet the following criteria:
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Graduate from an accredited training program
- Pass a criminal background screening
- Test negative for Hepatitis and TB
- Have up-to-date immunization records
Getting Certified
Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have an official credential from an accredited certifying agency.
As previously mentioned, the courses above allow you to work with either of the associations below.
AECA
The American Education Certification Association provides the Certified Phlebotomy Technician Specialist exam.
NHA
The National Healthcare Association administers the Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam.
Other agencies include:
- The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
- The American Society for Clinical Pathology
- American Medical Technologists
Depending on the organization you choose, you may need to have at least one year of phlebotomy tech experience or submit documentation showing that you’ve completed a particular number of venipuncture sticks before you can take the certification exam.
Licensing Requirements
Each agency has its own licensure requirements that applicants must meet. In most cases, you’ll need to pass an oral, written, and practical exam in order to get certified.
Once you have a license from a nationally-recognized organization, you’ll have a better chance of qualifying for higher-paying phlebotomy technician jobs in Illinois.
Job Description
Like other professions in the healthcare and nursing industries, phlebotomy technician jobs in Illinois require a soothing, professional bedside manner and exceptional attention to detail.
During the workday, these employees must:
- Verify each patient or donor’s identity before performing blood draws
- Use proper safety, sanitation, and infection prevention methods
- Properly assemble and dispose of needles, vials, and other medical instruments
- Explain each step in the blood draw process to help donors and patients relax
- Collect blood and fluid samples for medical testing or processing
- Label sample containers and submit them for testing
- Enter sample data into the required database
Career Outlook
Experienced phlebotomists sometimes decide to obtain additional certifications and become LPNs, CNAs, or RNs. Medical facilities often need qualified phlebotomy technicians to fill the roles when these techs change careers.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10-percent increase in the demand for phlebotomy technician jobs over the next decade.