How to Become a Phlebotomist in Montana

If you believe that you are a person responsible enough to perform drawing and collecting blood specimens from patients, you should consider becoming a phlebotomist in Montana.

However, it is not possible to become a phlebotomist unless you complete a certificate or degree program.

Upon successful graduation, you can either look for employment in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, or blood banks or advance in your education by gaining a certificate, thus improving your chances of getting a better-paid job.

Phlebotomy Certification Requirements for Montana

National certification is not mandatory in Montana, but phlebotomists as well as their employers find it very useful.

On one hand, it is proof of a person’s devotion towards this career choice and his/her quality, while on the other a license is your way of reaching higher employability.

Enrollment in vocational schools and colleges in Montana will enable you to get phlebotomy certification and finish degree courses.

In order to pass the certification exam, you must have completed your high school education or an equivalency test as well as completed the proper training course at an accredited organization.

There is also a requirement that each applicant for a license must have proof of a minimum of 50 venipunctures and 100 successful skin punctures performed on his/her own during the training.

By getting a license, you will become a preferred candidate for employment, but it is very significant to mention that your phlebotomy license will be valid only for two years after you obtain it and it is necessary to renew it on time.

Required Skills

A professional training program typically includes a minimum of 40 hours of classroom work and 40 hours of practical laboratory training, which enables students to gain medical skills that will be necessary once they gain employment.

However, personal qualities also play an important role when successful job performance is in question.

Actually, phlebotomists must have the ability to work for long hours and handle emergency situations, have an eye for detail and they must be gentle, empathetic, and kind towards the patients due to the fact that some people are afraid of needles and drawing blood in general.

Excellent communication skills are necessary as these professionals constantly cooperate with patients of various kinds, as well as other medical staff.

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 Montana

Flathead Valley Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician

School Website: www.fvcc.edu

At Flathead Valley Community College you can enroll in its phlebotomy program designed to be completed in three months.

As it is required by the certification agencies, it consists of 40 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of clinical rotations.

The enrollment is competitive, as only the first 8 students who complete their application packet and register will be accepted.

Graduation from this program makes you eligible to become ASCP board-certified and being that not many people can enroll in this amazing program, you are suggested to apply and register for this program as soon as the enrollment process opens.

Helena College University of Montana

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Preparation

School Website: www.campusce.net

Another excellent educational institution that offers a phlebotomy program is the Helena College University of Montana.

You will be attending 90 hours of training which includes both classroom instruction and lab exercises.

The program can be finished in 2 months’ time and the cost of this program is $1599.

The Lifelong Learning Center

Programs Offered: Certificate of Phlebotomy

School Website: www.missoulaclasses.com

An educational institution worth mentioning when the phlebotomy program is in question is the Lifelong Learning Center, located in Missoula.

After 75 hours of training and instruction during which students will be taught to draw blood, assemble equipment, communicate with patients, test blood samples, and many other necessary skills, they will be awarded a Certificate of Completion in Phlebotomy.

The tuition costs are $399.

Miles Community College

Programs Offered: Certificate of Phlebotomy

School Website: www.milescc.edu

Miles Community College is located in Miles City, Montana, and it welcomes students to its Certificate of Phlebotomy program that is designed to be completed in two semesters and is a total of 24 credit hours.

If you want to become eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the Phlebotomy Technician, and the Phlebotomy Donor Technician certification examinations, you should enroll in this program.

Montana State University

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician

School Website: www.ato.montana.edu

At Montana State University, aspiring phlebotomists can complete the program in one month.

For the price of $895, they will get 30 hours of online instruction, 15 hours of classroom instruction, and 100 hours of supervised clinical laboratory experience.

Graduates will be allowed to sit for their Certified Phlebotomist Technician examination.

So as to become a student at this university, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and proof of certain immunizations.

Job Prospects And Salary Expectations for Phlebotomists in Montana

There are many factors that influence the rising of the phlebotomist’s job outlook, such as the increase in population, the constant advancements in medical science, and the need for quality healthcare.

These all have caused both an increase in job opportunities for phlebotomists and in their salary.

The exact salary that you can expect cannot be determined, as experience, place of employment, and location will influence it, but generally speaking, the average annual income for phlebotomy jobs in Montana is around $31821.

Being that Montana has a low cost of living, which is lower than the national average, this can also affect the possible salary of phlebotomists, but at the same time, by becoming employed within this field, you will secure a good-paying steady position and a stable salary.

Furthermore, you do not have to worry about employment, as the need for skilled phlebotomists will exist in the years to come.

We need to mention that in Montana, experienced, and certified professionals usually work in private clinics and tend to get paid a higher salary unlike those who work in blood banks or hospitals.

Also, salary will vary among major cities around Montana, as can be seen in the table below.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Montana