How to Become a Phlebotomist in Iowa

If the healthcare sector interests you and you want that your work helps saving somebody’s life, but you do not have opportunities to attend long educational programs and cannot afford an education at the university, then phlebotomy is an ideal, yet the very popular choice of profession for you.

Phlebotomy Certification Requirements for Iowa

It is a good thing to know that the state of Iowa does not require a phlebotomist to hold a certificate for people who want to find a job after their secondary school, but in order to be the more attractive and preferred candidate for employment, you should consider becoming certified.

Certification is achieved after you finish an accredited program offered usually in hospitals, vocational schools, or technical colleges and pass a state-approved examination.

The American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) requires that each and every applicant has achieved a minimum period of 200 hours in the classroom and clinical training, and at least 100 venipunctures.

Required Skills

The main duty of these professionals is to draw blood from a patient for clinical testing.

However, their responsibilities are much greater as they must adhere to numerous health policies.

Besides medical and computer knowledge that a good phlebotomist must be familiar with, he/she has to be talkative, communicative, compassionate, and patient as he/she will have to deal with various kinds of people.

National Certifying Organizations For Phlebotomists

• American Medical Technologists. Work experience, followed by an oral or written exam is obligatory so as to get this certificate. Plus, a renewal every three years through CEU and re-examination is required.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology, Besides training or work experience, an oral or written exam has to be completed to be able to get this license. The renewal every ten years through CEU is an obligatory requirement as well.
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, This certificate can be reached after passing a practical and written exam, An annual CEUs is required to maintain certification.
• National Phlebotomy Association. This certificate can be achieved easily if you pass an oral or written exam.

Best Schools Offering Phlebotomy Training in Iowa

Des Moines Area Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Specialist Certificate Program

School Website: www.dmacc.edu

Students at Des Moines Area Community College have to attend the phlebotomy program for 13 weeks.

Besides the background checks for criminal history which is obligatory to be done prior to clinical practicum, all applicants are required to complete an application, attend a registration session, and have proof of a high school diploma/GED so as to be allowed to enroll in this school.

Then, they will  need to reach 5 credit hours through the courses: Principles of Phlebotomy and a Phlebotomy Clinical

Eastern Iowa Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Training Program

School Website: www.eicc.edu

Eastern Iowa Community College boasts a 12-week option for future phlebotomists.

The whole curriculum is focused on preparing students for a national certification exam if they want to reach it, or for entry-level jobs if graduates just want to have the knowledge needed to work in a medical facility.

Indian Hills Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Certificate Program

School Website: www.indianhills.edu

Indian Hills Community College has a curriculum that requires 9 credit hours and has its own admission criteria.

In order to be accepted as students in this educational institution, students must possess a high school diploma or GED and submit to a criminal background check prior to starting the clinical part of the training.

Iowa Valley Community College District

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Career Certificate Program

School Website: www.ce.iavalley.edu

If Iowa Valley Community College District is your chosen educational facility, you should know that its phlebotomy training program consists of 90 hours and once you reach graduation, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Still, the enrollment is not allowed to everyone and in order to be accepted as a student there, you must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and be willing to pay the tuition which is $1,599.

Iowa Western Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program

School Website: www.iwcc.edu

Iowa Western Community College also has an excellent phlebotomy training program for its students.

After completing 64 hours of classroom training, 120 hours of clinical hours, and 8 hours preparation for a national certification exam, students will not only be equipped with amazing knowledge and experience but also will be ready to become certified and increase job opportunities and possible salaries.

You will have to pay the cost of this program which is $895,  have a variety of immunizations, and submit to a criminal background check if you want to enroll in the classes.

Kirkwood Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program

School Website: www.kirkwood.augusoft.net

Kirkwood Community College also welcomes aspiring phlebotomy professionals and offers a program that consists of 60 hours of lecture and lab and 80 hours of clinical.

So as to graduate, students must successfully complete 100 venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures.

The admission criteria for this educational institution includes:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age
• They must take the COMPASS Reading Placement Test
• Applicants must have all of the required immunizations
• Each and every applicant must submit to an Iowa DCI criminal background check prior to starting the clinical portion of the training.

Northeast Iowa Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Certificate

School Website: www.nicc.edu

At Northeast Iowa Community College, the phlebotomy program includes 60-hour classroom instruction and 120-hour clinical work at local laboratories.

Phlebotomy Services

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program for Medical Professionals

School Website: www.phleb.com

What makes this program stand out is that it is just a 3-day phlebotomy training.

Actually, a 2-day online training curriculum is followed by a hands-on training day.

Students must go through lessons and quizzes given on the internet and upon completion, they can attend the hands-on training portion.

The only enrollment requirements are that students must have a high school diploma or GED.

Saint Luke’s College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Certificate Program

School Website: www.stlukescollege.edu

Saint Luke’s College also welcomes students who want to pursue a career in the medical field, actually phlebotomy.

Besides the classroom training, students will have to complete the 120 clock hours in a clinical location and do 100 successful venipunctures and 25 dermal punctures.

The admission criteria are very strict for this program as applicants will need to pay the tuition, which is $800.00, pay the textbook cost of $50, pass a criminal background check, have a high school diploma or GED,  two written references from non-family sources, and pass a personal interview with a program official so as to be allowed to enroll.

Job Prospects And Salary Expectations for Phlebotomists in Iowa

Prospective phlebotomists should be familiar with the average salary for this job, even though it may vary among the major cities.

A Phlebotomist in Iowa can expect to earn around $33594 per year, but those with greater experience and training can reach as high as $37523.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Iowa