How to Become a Phlebotomist in North Dakota

The period after finishing your secondary education can be a tough one, especially if you are not sure which career field to choose.

Many people find it difficult to decide which university to enroll in, or vocational school to attend, as the choice is huge.

In case you are a person interested in helping people in need, keen on working in a healthcare facility, but at the same tie, do not have enough money and time to invest in long educational programs needed to become a doctor, we have an ideal solution for you.

These short and not so demanding, as well as not too expensive courses can lead you to a degree which will make you able to find a stable and satisfying job.

We believe that you should consider finding  Phlebotomy Training in North Dakota and we are here to help you.

Pursuing a career as a phlebotomist is a great option not only for those who have never worked in the healthcare field, but also for those who are already employed, but are interested in pursuing other areas of expertise, thus improving their career prospects.

Unfortunately, unlike some larger states which offer more than 20 phlebotomy training programs, North Dakota has only one educational institution that can welcome phlebotomy students, but more than 44 hospitals, numerous private medical facilities, and 52 rural health clinics that have a growing need for medical professionals and can offer employment to new phlebotomists.

Phlebotomy Certification Requirements for North Dakota

At the very beginning of your career, you will need to enroll in a phlebotomy training course, and there are some requirements that you must meet.

The majority of programs will require that future student has a high school diploma or GED.

You may find that some programs will also require that you hold your CPR certification.

It is not uncommon that certain colleges ask that students can demonstrate proficiency in English as well as provide proof that they are current in their immunizations.

As a part of your training, you will be doing clinical rotation and prior to starting this portion of the training, you will be asked to demonstrate that you have medical insurance, liability insurance and you will have to pass drug and criminal background testing.

Even though we need to note that North Dakota is not the state that requires phlebotomists to hold the certification, it is significant to mention that certification can be very useful the moment you try to find your job.

Actually, you will find that most employers will ask that you are certified and those who possess a license will be always given preference.

Certification is not obligatory, but the possession of it shows the employer that you are fully trained and qualified, that he/she can rely on your skills and that you are serious and devoted to this profession.

Thus,  you will get a chance to negotiate a higher salary and better jobs.

Required Skills

Many people believe that phlebotomists are only required to draw and collect blood samples for diagnosis and that their job is not demanding at all.

However, they are wrong, as these people have to maintain proper records and handle other laboratory tasks as well.

Plus, they work with patients and other medical staff, meaning a variety of personalities, which is why good communication skills are obligatory.

Besides having excellent technical and medical knowledge, these professionals need to have calm, gentle, and positive behavior while performing their job so that patients can feel comfortable during the venipuncture process.

National Certifying Organizations For Phlebotomists

• American Medical Technologists. There are some requirements that applicants for this certificate must meet prior to applying and those are work experience and an oral or written exam. Once the certificate is achieved, the renewal is required every three years through CEU and re-examination.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology, These applicants must possess a required training or work experience, as well as an oral or written exam. The certificate has to be renewed every ten years through CEU.
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, This organization offers certificates to applicants who successfully pass a practical exam and written exam. There is a requirement of annual CEUs to maintain certification.
• National Phlebotomy Association. This certificate can be achieved simply by passing an oral or written exam.

Best Schools Offering Phlebotomy Training in North Dakota

Turtle Mountain Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician

School Website: www.tm.edu

Turtle Mountain College is the only educational institution located in Belcourt, North Dakota that has to offer a Phlebotomy Technician program.

During this education, enrollees of this program will have both theory and practice through classroom instruction, laboratory exercises, and a phlebotomy practicum.

As the students will be taught the techniques needed for properly obtaining blood specimens, handling, and transporting them by experienced instructors, they will become prepared to work in labs, clinics, hospitals, and blood banks upon graduation.

This program follows the requirements that are set by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

If you manage to successfully finish this program, you will not only receive a certificate from the college proving that you are qualified and well trained to work as an entry-level phlebotomist, but also you will be eligible to take the National Registry Exam for licensure.

Job Prospects And Salary Expectations for Phlebotomists in North Dakota

One of the reasons why this profession is very promising is the fact that the large population of middle-aged adults and baby boomers causes the increasing demand for skilled phlebotomy technicians in North Dakota.

This means that the career outlook for phlebotomists is very good and continues to grow, and you should not worry about whether you will get employment, especially if you possess a certificate.

Medical facilities where skilled and certified professionals can work are various, from hospitals, and blood banks to private clinics and labs.

Furthermore, they can expect to earn a satisfactory annual salary.

Phlebotomists in North Dakota have an average salary of $32962.

The hourly pay rates are approximately $12.15 – $15.5, so the most experienced ones can reach up to $36817.

However, the average salary depends on many factors.

First, as you can notice in the table below, salaries vary among various cities in North Dakota.

Then, the private practices usually offer higher salaries to their phlebotomists, but at the same time, require them to be certified.

Working hours, level of experience, and the number of responsibilities all play important roles when determining the salary of a phlebotomist.

Other advantages that future phlebotomists can expect are health insurance benefits, as well as annual salary increments and other benefits that are offered by the hospitals in North Dakota.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in North Dakota