The medical industry is seeing a shortage of certified phlebotomists. With all the health issues Americans face, and with an aging population, the jobs are there but the skilled workers are not.
Learn more about taking phlebotomy classes to advance your career.
Education & Schools
Online Programs
Enroll in these online course to become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician.
Upon completion, you’ll qualify for either the CPTS exam (AECA) or the CPT exam (NHA).
Local Phlebotomy Classes
View More SchoolsHow Much Does it Cost?
The online courses listed above, which include certification preparation, cost approximately $3000. If you financed it, monthly costs would be around $115 per month.
The nice thing about online course is that you can start at anytime (open enrollment).
You may find other options for as little as $400 or as much as $7000. It just depends on what the course offers.
How Long is Phlebotomy Training?
The options outlined above feature a 200 hour, or 12 month, curriculum.
Certificate Prep Courses
The amount of time it takes to become a phlebotomist varies from state to state.
In some states, you can take a six-week course and be ready for the national certification exam. In other states, you will need to take a longer course and pass both the national exam and your state’s licensing test.
You can also become certified by taking courses online or at a community college. Most programs are 16–24 weeks long, but if you already have some medical experience, you may be able to complete the program in less time.
Associates Degree
The number of courses required for an associate’s degree in phlebotomy can vary by state; however, most programs consist of at least 50 hours of classroom time and 100 hours of clinical practice.
Degrees take longer to earn and generally require prior education or experience in the medical field. They usually consist of two years of classroom instruction and clinical training, although some schools offer accelerated programs that allow students to complete their degrees more quickly.
Advantages of Certificate Programs
Certificate programs can be completed in as little as a few months and are designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs.
Certificates typically don’t require any prerequisites, but they often include hands-on practice in an accredited training facility. Some schools also offer certificates that you can earn while taking classes at the same time.
Legitimacy: What Should You Look for in a Training Program?
At a minimum, any legit class should cover the following:
- Blood Collection – teach you about drawing blood from patients and donors, assessing a patient’s suitability for the procedure, and ensuring their comfort throughout process.
- Communication – learn how to effectively explain the process of blood drawing to patients, and how to address their concerns.
- Sample Analysis – identify abnormal results from lab tests, read glucose levels, and take care of specimens
- Equipment Handling – maintain needles, test tubes and vials, transport specimens to labs, and label and store samples
- Hands On – whether on site, or using a simulated environment, practice sessions that simulate actual real life job situations
- Certification Prep – upon completion, you should be in a position to take the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Coursework
What Do You Study?
Topics or disciplines common to any major program would include
- Basic anatomy and physiology
- Medical terminology
- Clinical procedures (including drawing blood)
- Medical ethics
You should know that there is no single curriculum used by all schools offering this type of training program; each institution may have its specific requirements regarding coursework and hours of study required before graduation.
Some programs require students to complete an externship where they get hands-on experience working with patients under supervision; others do not require this step but still provide opportunities for externships through networking with local hospitals or clinics that offer these services free of charge as part of their training programs.
Benefits of Education
Why Go to School for Phlebotomy?
Earn More
A career in phlebotomy can lead to financial stability. The average phlebotomist salary is about $41,000 per year but some can earn as much as $70,000 per year depending on their skill set and experience. This type of salary can go even higher if you specialize in a certain area such as blood banking or emergency medicine.
Below is a table with average salary and wages for each state.
| State | Per Hour | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $17.28 | $35,940 |
| Alaska | $23.29 | $48,440 |
| Arizona | $21.23 | $44,160 |
| Arkansas | $17.64 | $36,690 |
| California | $25.18 | $52,370 |
| Colorado | $22.49 | $46,780 |
| Connecticut | $22.50 | $46,800 |
| Delaware | $23.38 | $48,630 |
| District of Columbia | – | – |
| Florida | $19.08 | $39,680 |
| Georgia | $20.12 | $41,860 |
| Hawaii | – | – |
| Idaho | $20.37 | $42,360 |
| Illinois | $20.89 | $43,450 |
| Indiana | $18.47 | $38,410 |
| Iowa | $19.11 | $39,750 |
| Kansas | $19.03 | $39,570 |
| Kentucky | $18.76 | $39,020 |
| Louisiana | $16.89 | $35,130 |
| Maine | $19.55 | $40,670 |
| Maryland | $23.55 | $48,970 |
| Massachusetts | $23.34 | $48,540 |
| Michigan | $19.96 | $41,510 |
| Minnesota | $21.20 | $44,100 |
| Mississippi | $16.02 | $33,330 |
| Missouri | $18.99 | $39,510 |
| Montana | $19.65 | $40,870 |
| Nebraska | $18.61 | $38,700 |
| Nevada | $20.99 | $43,660 |
| New Hampshire | $21.69 | $45,110 |
| New Jersey | $22.39 | $46,570 |
| New Mexico | $19.38 | $40,310 |
| New York | $24.09 | $50,110 |
| North Carolina | $19.55 | $40,670 |
| North Dakota | $21.16 | $44,020 |
| Ohio | $18.76 | $39,010 |
| Oklahoma | $18.00 | $37,440 |
| Oregon | $22.94 | $47,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $20.72 | $43,100 |
| Puerto Rico | $12.11 | $25,180 |
| Rhode Island | $22.93 | $47,690 |
| South Carolina | $18.79 | $39,090 |
| South Dakota | $18.04 | $37,520 |
| Tennessee | $17.80 | $37,030 |
| Texas | $19.79 | $41,170 |
| Utah | $18.31 | $38,080 |
| Vermont | $20.37 | $42,380 |
| Virginia | $20.95 | $43,580 |
| Washington | $24.42 | $50,800 |
| West Virginia | $17.79 | $37,000 |
| Wisconsin | $20.94 | $43,560 |
| Wyoming | $19.19 | $39,910 |
source: data.bls.gov
Occupation: Phlebotomists (SOC Code 319097)
Learn More
When you go to school for phlebotomy, you will be able to learn about all aspects of this field, from cardiovascular disease to blood pressure. This knowledge can help you in many ways throughout your career, as well as give you a better understanding of what goes on in the body.
Gain Valuable Experience
The more experience you have in phlebotomy, the better your chances are of landing a job or promotion within the field. Going back to school for additional training shows employers that you are dedicated and willing to go above and beyond for their business.
Credentials
After completing an online or on-campus program at one of our schools, students tend to feel more confident about entering the workforce and performing their duties as phlebotomists without supervision from another health professional like a physician or nurse practitioner.
Becoming a Phlebotomist
The two main steps to becoming a phlebotomist are:
- training
- certification
Expectations for prospective phlebotomists may vary based on location and employer. Still, future professionals will be expected to have a baseline level of certification involving completing an accredited educational program and a state’s corresponding exam responsible for certifying allied health professionals.
Experience
Apprenticeships and prior work experience are not required to pursue a career in phlebotomy. Most prospective phlebotomists fulfill any hands-on training requirements by completing clinic hours offered by their educational program.
Prospective phlebotomists who do not meet the age qualifications necessary to undergo training may gain work experience in adjacent fields by volunteering in medical facilities.
Education
Completing an accredited training program in phlebotomy is often a necessary prerequisite to taking any statewide or national certification exams.
A variety of institutions may accredit these training programs, including the American Certification Agency (ACA), the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT), the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA), and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), among others.
Students may be expected to complete a certain level of clinical training, often offered as a component of these training programs. Upon completion of a certification program, prospective phlebotomists may need to complete a national or regional certification exam, depending on state and employer requirements.
Local Guides
- Becoming a Phlebotomist in FL
- Becoming a Phlebotomist in GA
- Becoming a Phlebotomist in IL
- Becoming a Phlebotomist in NY
- Becoming a Phlebotomist in PA
- Becoming a Phlebotomist in TX
What is a Phlebotomist?
Phlebotomists are responsible for collecting blood and tissue samples in patients.
The responsibilities of a phlebotomist may include:
- Venipuncture:
- Locating suitable veins for blood draws with efficiency and patient comfort in mind.
- Performing venipuncture using sterile equipment and techniques.
- Collecting blood samples for laboratory tests.
- Specimen Handling:
- Properly handling, labeling, and documenting collected specimens.
- Ensuring collected samples are stored, transported, and maintained according to laboratory protocols.
- Infection Control:
- Maintaining a sterile work environment with adherence to infection control and safety procedures, including using personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Record Keeping:
- Maintaining accurate records of each blood draw, including patient information and the tests ordered.
- Documenting any complications or issues during the procedure.
- Equipment Maintenance:
- Cleaning and maintaining phlebotomy equipment, including needles, tubes, and other tools used in venipuncture procedures.
How Old Do You Need to Be to Become a Phlebotomist?
Most employers will seek individuals over 18 due to the education and training required for the career.
Most educational programs and employers require a high school diploma or equivalent, and completing an accredited phlebotomy program may be mandatory to acquire certification. These programs may take up to a year to complete.