Have you ever wondered how to become a phlebotomist or how much you can earn in this career? Phlebotomy training can be completed in just a few months, making it an excellent long-term job option or a springboard into further medical training. If you’ve dreamed of working directly with patients but aren’t ready to commit to the years of training required for a medical or nursing degree, a certificate in phlebotomy is an excellent first step into the world of healthcare.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Phlebotomist?
One of the best things about starting a career in phlebotomy is that you don’t have to spend years in school. Because phlebotomists specialize in drawing blood, you concentrate on one skill and complete your training more quickly than generalist health technicians. If you’re currently unemployed and looking for a new career, an accelerated phlebotomy program can be completed in just a few weeks of full-time study. Part-time phlebotomy training programs are also available. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most phlebotomy education and training programs can be completed in less than one year. This means you’ll be earning money and caring for patients without being stuck in the classroom forever.
Practical Training
As a phlebotomist, you’ll need to hone your physical skills and learn to draw blood from patients with a minimum of pain or mess. To perfect those abilities, you’ll need to practice inserting needles, sanitizing the insertion site and avoiding spilling blood. Whether you attend community college or a vocational school, you can count on plenty of laboratory hours to get hands-on training. You will also attend local hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and blood centers to learn from working phlebotomists in a variety of settings. Healthcare facilities run 24/7, so phlebotomy certification programs can work with your current schedule to offer skills training on the weekends or during the evening.
Classroom Training
Before you start practicing physical phlebotomy skills, you’ll spend a few weeks or months in the classroom learning the didactic knowledge you’ll need for a successful career as a phlebotomist. Typical courses cover anatomy, biology, medical terminology and physiology. Because you can work in diverse medical settings as a phlebotomist, your classes will offer a broad knowledge base. Many phlebotomy training programs offer tutoring services and online coursework to ensure your academic success.
How Much Do Phlebotomists Earn?
Once you’ve completed your skills-based and classroom phlebotomy training, you’ll be ready to enter the workforce. Most phlebotomists earn an hourly salary with the potential for overtime, bonuses and flexible hours. The median salary for phlebotomists is $30, 670, with the highest earners topping $40,000 per year, according to US News and World Report. As a working phlebotomist, you’ll out-earn students from other allied health professions like medical assisting or certified nursing aides. If you want to maximize your earnings, you can moonlight at urgent care centers or emergency rooms on the weekends.
Related Resource: Nurse Educator
If you have the compassion to care for patients undergoing a painful procedure, phlebotomy training is a great option for you. Take the first steps to become a phlebotomist today, and you could start your new healthcare career in a few short months.
