10 Best Phlebotomist Schools & colleges | How to Become a Phlebotomist
Top 10 Best Phlebotomist Schools & colleges | How to Become a Phlebotomist? There are several careers to provide for the concurrent rise in demand for medical services and Phlebotomy is one of those professions. Many programs are offered through community colleges, technical schools, or vocational schools.
There are a variety of phlebotomy schools to get candidates prepared for their certification exams and for a rewarding job in this medical field. Phlebotomy schools offer programs for these aspiring professionals which typically take less than one year to complete.
The phlebotomy classes can vary in length depending on the electives offered, the state in which the program is completed, and the accrediting body.
Who is a Phlebotomist?
The professional who takes the blood from you for any medical purpose is the Phlebotomist. The Phlebotomist job is very simple – get blood from patients for testing and transfusion. Yet, they are very vital to the allied healthcare community. With a satisfactory payment for the job they do and the short time it takes before you start earning, more students are choosing this career.
Phlebotomist Program Cost
The cost of attending a phlebotomy program will vary depending on several factors, such as if you will be obtaining a diploma or a certificate. Also, which school you choose to attend, public or private, can dramatically impact the price that you will pay for tuition to complete your program of choice.
- Cost Certificate / Diploma – $2,568 – $26,409.
Accredited Phlebotomy Degree & Certificate Programs
There are a range of phlebotomy schools which can help get a candidate prepared for certification and a career in this growing field.
Admission Requirements for phlebotomy program
To enroll in a phlebotomy program, you do not need prior college credits or other specific coursework before you can proceed. A basic education is all that is required. You will need:
- A high school diploma, or
- High school equivalency completion.
Most phlebotomy schools have a few requirements for interested candidates. Prospective students typically must have the following:
- High school diploma or GED.
- CPR certification
- Immunizations.
What are the Best colleges for phlebotomy and Accredited Programs?
1. Austin Peay State University – Clarksville, TN
Austin Peay State University offers non-credit phlebotomy technician training at its campus in Clarksville, TN. This program starts twice a year in January and August and occasionally in summer (May). The main goal of the program is to prepare individuals with the right skills, knowledge, and experience to efficiently obtain blood and other specimens for laboratory testing.
2. Bossier Parish Community College – Bossier City, LA
Bossier Parish Community College, through its Certificate of Technical Studies in Phlebotomy, aims to prepare you as an entry-level phlebotomy technician to successfully work under the supervision of experienced nurses and clinical laboratory scientists. This 1-year program offered at the BPCC campus in Bossier City, Louisiana, will require you to complete a total of 26 credit hours.
3. Cuyahoga Community College – Cleveland, OH
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) at its campus in Cleveland, Ohio is currently offering a short two-semester certificate in Laboratory Phlebotomy. It is a day-time program with classes starting twice every year (Fall and Spring). Only 24 students are admitted per class. This program aims to train you with the skills required to collect blood in a variety of situations at different medical centers such as hospitals, doctor’s clinics, emergency centers, and blood donation centers. It also includes an eight-week clinical training at a local hospital or medical clinic where you will work with real patients under the supervision of experienced professionals.
4. Moraine Valley Community College – Palos Hills, IL
This certificate program offered by Moraine Valley Community College located in Palos Hills, Illinois presents an opportunity to fulfill your dreams of becoming an entry-level phlebotomist in less than two months. The program has been designed based on guidelines set by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) along with recommendations by the college’s Phlebotomy Program Advisory Committee.
5. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – Asheville, NC
This phlebotomy program offered by AB Tech in North Carolina will prepare you to take up the job as a phlebotomist in hospitals, out-patient centers, physician’s offices, and donor centers. The program starts twice every year in Fall and Spring. A maximum of 17 slots are available per semester, and the college accepts applications on a first come first serve basis.
What are the Job Duties of a Phlebotomy Technician?
Here are the duties of phlebotomy technician they perform in their work environment:
- Take the patient’s blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory reading.
- Update the patient’s record.
- Prepare stains and reagents.
- Sending blood and other samples to the lab for testing.
- Explain operational procedures to patients.
- Use proper identification techniques for specimens, especially when you work in the hospital.
- Use proper sanitation methods to avoid cross-contamination.
Where Do Phlebotomists Work?
- Offices of Physicians: A phlebotomist or an assistant with a phlebotomy certification may handle the finger pricks and blood draws requested by the physician. They will also prepare specimens if they are to be sent off to the lab.
- Hospitals: Phlebotomists in hospitals may travel between the emergency department and patient rooms to draw blood to take back to the lab for processing.
- Outpatient Care Centers: Certain outpatient care centers, such as urgent care settings, may need a phlebotomist on hand for blood draws and other work as is necessary.
- Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories: A phlebotomist may prepare samples for testing after drawing blood at an independent laboratory or following other testing procedures, such as a stress test.
- All Other Ambulatory Healthcare Services: There are many cases where blood must be drawn for testing. In these settings, the phlebotomist does the work and may also perform administrative duties as necessary.
What Do I Need to Become a Phlebotomist?
Becoming a Phlebotomy technician is not much of a big deal. Follow the guide below and you’ll become one in no time.
1. Get a High School Diploma or Its Equivalent
The first step to becoming a phlebotomist is to finish high school and get your diploma. If you don’t have a high school diploma, a GED can serve. This is a major requirement to get admission into a school offering the required phlebotomy training program. In addition to getting a high-school diploma or a GED, you must be up to 18 years before you can progress in the process of becoming a phlebotomist.
2. Enroll in a Phlebotomy Program
Phlebotomy programs are your direct path to becoming a phlebotomy technician. You can get a phlebotomy training program from technical and community colleges as well as independent training centers like hospitals. The best option for phlebotomy programs though is phlebotomy schools because of their accreditation, low tuition offering, and the full certification they provide you.
3. Gain Relevant Experience
Before you are fit for a real job as a phlebotomist, you must have gathered enough experience. This is the beauty of Phlebotomist schools – it involves clinical training that builds you up with the right experience. Because nobody will trust you with their skin to test your needle skills, you’ll start your hands-on training with test subjects.
4. Get Certification
Gaining a phlebotomy certificate is very important to your phlebotomy career. You should try to gain certification after completing a phlebotomy training program as some states will require it of you to be able to practice. Some other states may not require you to have a phlebotomy certificate or license, but the vast majority of phlebotomists out there are certified, so why not you? Ensure to get certified from any of the certification organizations below because they are the ones that are most reputable.
- National Phlebotomy Association.
- The American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
5. Find a Job
The truth is that because of the high need for phlebotomists, employers will get to you while you’re completing your training program and getting a certification. Nonetheless, you should actively search for phlebotomy jobs near you.
6. Maintain Your Certification
There is a need to continue education as a phlebotomist it is a prerequisite to renewing your certificate. Many institutions will require you to earn continuing education credits (CEs) by taking short courses that can be completed in two years.
How can I become a certified phlebotomist?
To become a certified phlebotomist, you must be up to 18 years of age and have completed high school with a diploma to show for it or a GED equivalent. Then get a phlebotomy certificate program from a phlebotomy school and complete the program. You will become certified on completion of the program but you can further apply for state licensure to better your chances of employment.
Can I Pursue This Program Online?
While you may be able to find some informational and refresher courses pertaining to phlebotomy online, there are just some aspects of the coursework that are necessary to complete in person. The clinical aspects of learning to draw blood must be done in a physical setting. Most phlebotomy programs are completed solely on campus, though you may be able to complete a portion of the coursework online to work with your schedule.
How Many Job Openings are there for Phlebotomy Graduates?
The need for phlebotomists is high and is expected to increase 22% by the mid-2020s. More than 2,800 new jobs are created in the field every year. This is in addition to the 13,000 current job openings that will need to be filled due to those who retire or change jobs.
Best Accredited Phlebotomy Degree & Certificate Programs
1. New York Phlebotomy Programs
New York employs 6,360 phlebotomists across the state and boasts a number of accredited academic programs in the discipline. For example, the City College of New York (CCNY) provides a joint EKG and phlebotomy certification program. Students learn about basic cardiac physiology, how to perform 12-lead EKGs and how to find technical problems with an ECG or EKG, as well as how to take blood. The coursework prepares students to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification exams.
2. Pennsylvania Phlebotomy Programs
Pennsylvania has 5,410 of these medical professionals across the state. Bucks Community College, a public two-year school, prepares students for the range of employment responsibilities including drawing blood and processing the specimens. This phlebotomy program comprises theory and laboratory practice for 15 weeks, in addition to a five-week externship in a hospital setting under the supervision of medical technologists and phlebotomists.
3. California Phlebotomy Programs
California has the highest level of employment for phlebotomists at 12,860. This is one of four states that requires its phlebotomists to have a special state certification before practicing the profession. The Long Beach City College, a public two-year institution, offers a phlebotomy technician certificate of achievement as part of their medical assisting associate’s degree. It generally takes two academic years to complete. In California, Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT 1) is the official job title for these professionals. This program is approved by the state and involves two courses in addition to a clinical portion.
4. Florida Phlebotomy Programs
Florida ranks third in employment of phlebotomists at 7,880. Eastern Florida State College, a public four-year institution, has a 16-week program for phlebotomy technicians. The first six weeks involve a “minimester” course with a lab, and the program finishes with a ten-week supervised hospital externship involving 105 hours of clinical experience.
5. Texas Phlebotomy Programs
Texas has the second highest number of phlebotomists at 9,490. One program at Galveston College, another two-year public school, similarly offers two courses as part of its phlebotomy program with a heavy emphasis on the clinical portion.
6. Ohio Phlebotomy Programs
Ohio employs 5,660 phlebotomists. A program at Columbus State Community College similarly offers two courses to teach blood collection, handling procedures, and basic equipment usage. Additionally, these classes teach students about safety, medical ethics, and professional standards. Forty-eight hours of clinical experience are also required for the successful completion of this program.
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