Phlebotomy Training
Interested in the phlebotomy field and want to learn more about phlebotomy training? Want to understand all the key topics about phlebotomist training?
Look no more, we have all the answers to the top questions related with phlebotomy training, such as: average cost, duration, requirements, options and more!
Why Phlebotomy Training
I’m assuming that one of your first questions is why should you get phlebotomy training? Well, there are a lot of good reasons to pursue phlebotomist education and training.
A phlebotomist is a person who has been specially trained in the skill of drawing blood, i.e., has phlebotomy training. This person may or may not have a background in medicine. So while most doctors and nurses are also phlebotomists, not all phlebotomists have to be a doctor or a nurse!
Phlebotomy is a skill that is much in demand, especially in hospitals that have high numbers of patients and few skilled health professionals. Therefore it is a career with excellent job prospects.
The top 4 reasons to choose phlebotomy are:
1 – Salary and Job Growth
If you choose to be a phlebotomist and be trained in phlebotomy, you are in a field with really good future perspectives! Careers in medical fields are growing fast according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, so phlebotomy is a field with a strong projected growth. Also, the salary & benefits for phlebotomy technicians are rewarding.
2 – Additional Professional Health Skill
Some medical professionals choose to get phlebotomy training to expand their career options. Phlebotomy career training can improve your career even if you are already in the medical field.
3 – Required in Some States
To work as a phlebotomy technician in the US you need to be properly trained, and in some states a certification is required. All phlebotomy technicians will tell you that you should get proper phlebotomy training before applying, and how important it is to be prepared for this field.
4 – Short Training Period
This is a topic that we will discuss in more detail in a section below, but compared with other medical fields, phlebotomy training is usually shorter than the others. You can get phlebotomy training in months, and in other areas you will need years to achieve the required training.
Phlebotomy Training Requirements: What do you need
Phlebotomy training requirements may vary a bit from school to school or state to state, but generally they are:
- High school diploma or a good score on your GED
- Up-to-date vaccinations
- Clean background check
- Pass a drug test
- Pass a physical/health exam
- Have at least 18 years of age
- Pass a reading comprehension exam
Phlebotomy Training Programs: What training options do you have
There are different phlebotomy technician training programs that you can select if you are interested in this field.
You can choose a Bachelor Degree program that includes phlebotomy (usually is a four year program) – these programs are suited for students that want to pursue careers in other medical fields, like nursing or laboratory technicians, but want to be trained in phlebotomy also.
Other option is an Associate Degree program that includes phlebotomy (usually a two years program). There are medical assisting and laboratory technician programs that offer training in phlebotomy and other medical fields – these programs are suited to students interested in getting phlebotomy skills but also other medical skills in order to qualify to multiple positions in the healthcare area.
You can also select a short-term certification program in Phlebotomy. This popular option is designed to provide in-depth training & train specialists in the phlebotomy field that can become phlebotomy technicians in months.
That’s not all…
A different option not mentioned above because is a slightly different approach, is phlebotomy on the job training. Having different options will allow different students to choose the best option for them – from career professional interested in another field and/or getting additional skills, to freshman college students.
Phlebotomy Training Content: What will you learn
Remember to check the course content when looking for a phlebotomy school to get proper phlebotomy education and training. The best phlebotomy courses will typically include the following topics:
Some courses, designed to prepare students to get the certification in phlebotomy, will also include classroom training that includes the following topics:
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Blood and cell composition
Phlebotomy Training Duration: How much time will it take
Not all phlebotomy programs are the same, so not all the programs will take the same time to complete.
The duration range will vary from 3 months (short term phlebotomy training courses) to 4 years (Bachelor Degree in Phlebotomy). It will depend of the program/course that you select:
| Program | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Short-term Phlebotomy Technician Program | 3 months |
| Certificate in Phlebotomy | 6 to 12 months |
| Associate Degree in Phlebotomy | 1 to 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree in Phlebotomy | 3 to 4 years |
Phlebotomy is a great option if you want to enter in the medical field in a few months, but if you prefer a higher level of education, you can also choose a degree in this exciting field!
The length of the training that you choose in order to become a phlebotomist does not necessarily correlate to your skill as a phlebotomist – only hard work and real-life experience will serve as adequate training to allow you to become an expert in your field.
