How to Become a Phlebotomist
The Definitive Career Guide

What is a Phlebotomist?

Phlebotomists are responsible for taking patients’ blood samples.

This can be done by placing a needle in the arm of the patient and using a syringe to pull the blood out.

A Phlebotomist may also attach an IV to a patient to take blood or to insert medication.

Often, you can find Phlebotomists working in labs and in hospitals or doctor’s offices.

This career takes a bit of training and hand-eye coordination but can be a great profession or a step toward a promising medical career.

Duties

Salary

Working as a Phlebotomist can be considered an entry-level career in the medical field.

Since this career only requires one year of education, and sometimes less, the salary can reflect that.

Most Phlebotomists in the United States will make about $37,380 annually.

After several years of hands-on experience working as a Phlebotomist, and earning certifications, it’s possible to make up to $48,490 a year in this career.

However, this isn’t the salary you should expect when just beginning your journey in this field.

Those who are just beginning their career will make close to $28,990 or less, depending on the type of facility you work in and the population of the surrounding area.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

How to Become a Phlebotomist

Popular Programs

Education

Since phlebotomy requires a skillful hand and knowledge of the medical field, it is important that a Phlebotomist get the education that they need.

Most phlebotomy programs in the United States can range anywhere from 8 weeks to 2 years and offer different levels of education.

It’s important to make sure that the program you enter is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.

There are training schools that provide phlebotomy programs online, and it’s also possible to earn a certificate or a degree through a community college or university in person.

To be eligible to enter most phlebotomy programs, you must have the following:

• High school diploma or GED
• Be at least 18 years old
• A GPA of 2.5 or higher

You will learn many different things in a phlebotomy program, including classes on subjects like:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Biology
• Laboratory Departments and Organization
• Specimen Collection
• Equipment and Techniques

While working toward a certificate, students will likely need to partake in an internship or clinical studies.

This can be done through many different facilities, including:

• Hospital labs
• Patient care centers
• Doctors offices
• Nursing homes

Tuition for an online program can be as little as $25 in some areas, and as much as $2,500 for other programs.

If you are looking for more education and want to earn an Associate’s degree, this will take around two years.

There are many types of degree programs for Phlebotomists, including medical assistants and medical technicians.

These programs will go more in-depth than a one-year or less program, and you will take courses that include:

• Microbiology
• Hematology
• Blood Banking
• Chemistry
• Urinalysis
• Laboratory Math

This type of degree will also require an internship and/or clinical studies.

Clinicals can provide students with hands-on experience so that they don’t go into the workforce completely confused.

Having an Associate’s degree as a Phlebotomist can set you apart by showing employers that you have the knowledge it takes to do a good job.

Video About The Career

Certification and Licensing

After enrolling in a program and passing you will earn either a certificate or a degree, depending on the type of program you choose.

Gaining a couple of years of experience as a Phlebotomist will help you in your question to gain certification.

Earning a certification as a Phlebotomist can open many new doors, but you must make sure that the association you are going to get certified with is accredited.

Some of the accredited associations include:

• American Society of Clinical Pathologists
• American Medical Technologists
• National Health Career Association
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians

Although certification is voluntary in most states, many employers like to see one on your resume.

For that states that do require certification, please follow state laws when finding the association to connect with.

The states the require certification are:

• California
• Louisiana

This is because it shows the employer and the patients that you have knowledge as a Phlebotomist, and can do the job that needs to be done.

There are several certifications that can be gained through various associations.

Some of the most popular certifications are:

• Phlebotomy Technician from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician from the National Health Career Association
• Certified Phlebotomist from the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians

All of the certifications require that you have at least a year of experience as a Phlebotomist in the last five years before you are eligible to apply.

Most certifications require that you pass an exam, which can cost anywhere from $60 to $250, depending on the certification and the association.

Earning a certification as a Phlebotomist can provide extra job support, as well as introduce new promotions and raises.

These certifications are good for two years and must be renewed in order to stay up to code in the medical field.

It may be hard to find a career without certification as a Phlebotomist.

Certification Example:

Average Training Program Duration: 1-2 Years

It doesn’t take too long to become a Phlebotomist, as little as 8 weeks in some areas.

However, you don’t want to enter a program that isn’t long enough, as you won’t learn the required knowledge and have a harder time finding a job.

Most phlebotomy programs take around 8 months to a year to complete, and that includes clinical lab work and possibly an internship.

Programs that take 8 months or less may not provide an internship in some areas.

Another important thing to consider when looking for programs is if they are accredited, some shorter programs do not have accreditation.

Job Outlook

Every year, it seems that there are more and more medical facilities popping up all over the country.

Thanks to all of the new hospitals, doctor’s offices, and laboratories, Phlebotomists should not have a problem finding a job in the next decade.

In fact, this career will grow around 22 percent over the next ten years.

Compared to other careers in the medical field, the growth rate for Phlebotomists is much faster.

Taking a patient’s blood is still an extremely reliable and essential part of the medical field, so this career will likely be around for a long time.

Phlebotomists are often found working at blood drives and blood banks, which can create more job opportunities as well, especially during a public health emergency situation.

Employment Growth Projection: 22%

That's a higher than average projected growth of 28,800

Should You Become a Phlebotomist?

Overall Satisfaction: Medium

Having a career as a Phlebotomist can be a bit stressful, especially when working in a big hospital or lab.

The stress can come from how many patients need to be seen at once, and the orders from doctors.

There isn’t much upward mobility without education in this career, either.

This can cause a bit of trouble for Phlebotomists who want to maintain a great career.

Depending on the location of the job, the hours can be stressful.

Those who work in labs or doctor’s offices will likely have hours from 9-5, while those who work in hospitals may have different shifts.

Working as a Phlebotomist is a good entry-level career in the medical field, but will not provide much upward mobility.

Average Salary: Low

Most Phlebotomists in the United States will make around $37,380 a year on average.

Those who are just starting out as a Phlebotomist will likely make closer to $28,990 in most areas.

Having a solid education, earning certifications, and having many years of experience can provide a salary close to $48,490 a year.

There are many things that can determine the salary of a Phlebotomist, including the location in which they work.

Phlebotomists working in large populations like California or Washington D.C. will make closer to $50,000 a year.

While Phlebotomists who are working in states like Iowa will make closer to $30,000 a year on average.

Job Growth Outlook: High

If you are looking to begin a career as a Phlebotomist, now would be the time to start your journey.

This career will grow around 22 percent over the next ten years, which is much higher than many other jobs in the medical field.

Phlebotomists are essential in hospitals and labs because taking blood is still one of the most accurate ways of diagnosing and treating patients.

Having certifications or further education will provide many more career growth opportunities in this career.

Education Duration: 1-2 Years

There are a few different options for the length of programs when becoming a Phlebotomist.

Some people choose to enroll in an 8-week program, which can teach the basics of Phlebotomy.

Other programs offer more extensive education and can take up to a year to finish.

Programs should teach you how to draw blood and provide hands-on experience working in labs.

It doesn’t take long to become a Phlebotomist, anywhere between 8 weeks and 1 year, with the average length being about 8 months, depending on the program.

Personal Skills Needed

In order to have a successful career as a Phlebotomist, you must not have a fear of needles or blood, and you should have a steady hand.

Other personal skills that will help you to do well in this career include:

• Compassion
• Detail-oriented
• Ability to multitask
• Team player
• Excellent communication skills
• Understanding of insurance and payment processing
• Understanding of medical terminology
• Empathy
• Customer service skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Physical stamina

Being kind-hearted in this career can be helpful because some patients may be scared, injured, or upset when getting blood drawn.

Phlebotomist Info by State

Phlebotomist Resources

• 14 Pros and Cons of Being a Phlebotomist
• American Red Cross Phlebotomy Training & Information
• Entry Level Phlebotomist Resume Tips & Advice
• History Of Phlebotomy
• How Much Does Phlebotomy Technician School Cost?
• How to Boost Your Phlebotomy Salary
• How to Deal with Rude Patients in Phlebotomy
• How To Draw Blood
• How to Get a Phlebotomy Job (Without Experience)
• Is Phlebotomy a Good Career Choice?
• Is There a Shortage of Phlebotomists in America?
• Online Phlebotomist Training Programs
• Phlebotomy Job Outlook
• Phlebotomy on the Job Training: What Should You Expect?
• Phlebotomy Order of Draw
• Typical Phlebotomist Job Duties & Job Description
• What is a Phlebotomy Technician?
• What to Expect with Phlebotomy And EKG Training
• Where Can a Phlebotomist Work?
• Where to Look for Entry Level Phlebotomy Jobs

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