There are various opportunities for aspiring candidates in allied health fields. Being a phlebotomy technician is one such career option. In this article we will know the job role of a phlebotomy technician and will also check out some of the best phlebotomy technician schools in America.
Phlebotomy technicians, also known as phlebotomists are laboratory technicians who help the doctors by collecting blood samples from a patient for testing or transfusion purposes. With healthcare industry projected to grow tremendously in the coming years, a career as phlebotomy technicians can be financially rewarding.
Educational Requirements
There are no specific educational requirements as such to become a phlebotomy technician and what most of the employers need is a high school diploma or an equivalent and a certified phlebotomy technician course. Aspiring candidates can also complete on-job training to get some experience in this field. Although, most states do not require a license, but getting one enhances the chances of finding good career opportunities. The agencies which provide certification for phlebotomists are
- The National Phlebotomy Association
- The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
- The American Society of Clinical Pathologists
Best Phlebotomy Schools
There are various schools across the country which are highly recommended to study phlebotomy. One of such schools is the California College, San Diego in Florida. Some other schools to study phlebotomy are
- The Salter School of Nursing & Allied Health, New Hampshire
- Kaplan College in San Antonio, Texas
- The City College in Gainesville, Florida
- Sarasota County Technical Institute
- Stevens-Henager College, Ogden, Utah
- DeVry University, Orlando
- LA Vocational Institute and Central Nursing College, Los Angeles
As mentioned earlier, healthcare industry offers numerous career opportunities and is expected to grow over the next few years and phlebotomists will be in demand. It is not only the hospitals that hire the phlebotomists as there are various organizations that conduct blood donation camps. Like with every other career, one should always try to learn new skills so as to get an edge in the competition. Taking a soft skills or a personality improvement course will not only help in presenting yourself in a better way, but it will also be beneficial in the later stages of the career.
Phlebotomists who have little or no experience may have to work their way up the career ladder as experience and seniority determine the salary in this field. A beginner can earn anywhere between $22,000 to $25,000 annually. Healthcare industry requires people to work in shifts, so a phlebotomist technician working night shifts may get some night allowances as well. The average salary of a phlebotomist is in the range of $22,884 to $31,509. (payscale) There are some companies that pay phlebotomists on an hourly basis and the average is about $9.77 to $12.78 per hour. Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles are the best places to work for phlebotomists.
If you are interested in becoming a phlebotomist, you can rest assured that the salary and the career prospects are rewarding and the phlebotomist program isn’t too daunting. You can enroll yourself in any of the phlebotomy technician schools and start your journey in this satisfying career.