Phlebotomist

To properly diagnose and treat a patient, doctors often order lab tests. When a patient visits a lab they are attended to by a phlebotomist, whose job it is to draw their blood in the correct amount and into the right containers, label it, and make sure it gets transported appropriately for testing.

Labs aren’t the only place phlebotomists work. They work in blood banks, drawing blood for donations. They also can work for life insurance companies to perform blood draws for testing, and long-term care facilities, helping doctors monitor patients’ well-being.

Education requirements for phlebotomists vary; professionals entering the field can choose to complete on-the-job training or a course with clinical practice. Either path provides avenues for national certification from any number of organizations once the relevant work experience has been completed. Students pursuing a phlebotomy program should ensure the program is accredited by a regional or national accrediting body such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Careers in phlebotomy are growing very quickly (10 percent job growth) with an expected over 13,900 new jobs created nationally between 2021 and 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022). Professionals in this field earn an average of $38,450 annually (BLS May 2021).

Phlebotomists are essential members of any healthcare team, and they are celebrated and recognized each year in February during Phlebotomist Recognition Week. In 2023, this week will be observed from February 13-17. The American Medical Technologist (AMT) association sponsors this week and recognizes outstanding phlebotomists with their Registered Phlebotomist (RPT) of the Year award. Phlebotomists are encouraged to submit their stories online on the AMT website to be featured on AMT social media. Resource guides and AMT-branded phlebotomist gear are available on the website as well.

Keep reading to learn more about phlebotomy, including licensing options, typical job duties, and top schools offering phlebotomy programs.

Formal training is not required to become a phlebotomist. Aspiring phlebotomists can complete on-the-job training or a certification program offered at colleges across the country. Upon completing requisite work experience or a phlebotomy course, students can apply for certification as a phlebotomy technician at one of the three certifying agencies. 

To be admitted to a phlebotomist program, prospective students generally will need to have completed high school or obtained a GED, although there are exceptions. Many programs require attending a mandatory in-person orientation prior to submitting an application. To be eligible for admission, students must supply proof of CPR certification, a recent TB test result, and immunization records. Some programs also require a medical check-up.

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredits phlebotomist programs. The Council accredits the NAACLS for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a national organization that monitors and certifies accrediting bodies.

Moraine Valley Community College

Students can earn a phlebotomy technician certificate at Moraine Valley Community College in two to three semesters. This program trains students in all the technical and clinical aspects of collecting specimens and transporting samples. Students may enroll in the clinical seminar and clinical experience after completing the lecture course. The program comprises 13 credits.

Moraine Valley boasts an outstanding 96 percent student pass rate on the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) phlebotomy technician exam within three years of graduation. Admission requirements for this program include a high school diploma or GED and a prerequisite course in medical terminology. There are additional requirements to be able to complete the clinical practice, which include passing a drug test, proof of current immunizations, a recent TB test result, CPR training, and a background check.

• Location: Palos Hills, IL
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three semesters
• Estimated Tuition: In-district ($134 per credit); out-of-district ($324 per credit); out-of-state and international ($379 per credit)

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

In addition to learning how to collect specimens and maintain patient data, students in the phlebotomy technician program at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College are required to develop strong communication skills. Graduates of this program are employed at hospitals, clinics, and labs.

This program is in high demand, and spots are limited, so students must contact an academic advisor before submitting an application. The practicum course may be taken concurrently with the lecture course so students can complete all 13 required credits in one semester. Students should expect to attend classes four days a week and supervised clinical practice three to four days per week.

• Location: Asheville, NC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• Expected Time to Completion: One semester
• Estimated Tuition: $76 per credit

Austin Community College

The phlebotomy technician program at Austin Community College can be completed as a stand-alone certificate or as a stepping stone for the Medical Laboratory Technologist program. This one-semester program is intensive and requires students to complete both the didactic course and the clinical experience at the same time. For 2020 and 2022, this program had a 98 percent pass rate on the ASCP BOC exam and a 98 percent job placement rate.

Due to the rigorous nature of this program, students must attend classes on campus and full-time. Working while completing this program is not recommended. Due to the high number of applicants for this program, candidates are placed on a waitlist. Once a spot opens up in the program, candidates are offered conditional admission. They must complete a background check, provide proof of immunizations, including a flu vaccine, and supply documentation of personal health insurance.

• Location: Austin, TX
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• Expected Time to Completion: One semester
• Estimated Tuition: In-district & continuing education students ($1,252 total); out-of-district ($2,056 total); out-of-state & international ($2,324 total)

Carolinas College of Health Sciences

At the Carolinas College of Health Sciences, students can complete a fast-paced 10 to 14-week program in phlebotomy. Students will learn both skin puncture and venipuncture techniques. Coursework is divided between classroom lectures, lab work, and clinical experiences. All clinical experiences take place within Atrium Health facilities.

Enrollment for this program is open three times a year, and students can start their studies in either the fall, spring, or summer semesters. From 2017 to 2020, 100 percent of students graduated from this program, passed the Carolinas College of Health Sciences board certification exam, and had a job placement within six months of graduation. In 2021, ninety-six percent of students have graduated from this program. Admission requirements include passing the Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) with a score of at least 14, having a 2.0 college or high school GPA, and attending an information session.

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• Expected Time to Completion: 10 to 14 weeks
• Estimated Tuition: $625 for the entire program

Phillips Community College

In just two semesters, students can complete a technical certificate in phlebotomy at Phillips Community College. The first semester consists of courses in math, composition, computer, anatomy, and medical terminology. During the second semester, students take an intensive phlebotomy course and complete a skill class, including clinical experiences. Courses can be applied toward an associate’s degree should students wish to pursue further education.

Graduates of this program will know medical terminology, understand infection control, be able to follow standard procedures, have the skills to perform venipunctures, and demonstrate strong communication skills. To enroll in this program, students must complete a background check and a drug screening.

• Location: Helena, AR
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
• Estimated Tuition: Phillips and Arkansas Counties students ($75 per credit); out-of-district/in-state students ($88 per credit); out-of-state students ($140 per credit)

Alvin Community College

While the hands-on clinical component of phlebotomy programs makes 100 percent online programs not feasible, Alvin Community College offers a hybrid program that allows students to complete the classroom components online and at their own pace. Students are required to visit campus four times over the course of the semester for labs to learn to do venipuncture, and clinical hours must be completed in a clinic or hospital.

This program teaches students how to collect specimens, use vacuum collection devices, select a syringe, and label and transport specimens. They also learn relevant medical terminology. For admission, students must have a high school diploma or GED, pass a background check, provide proof of immunizations, and have current CPR certification.

• Location: Alvin, TX
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
• Estimated Tuition: In-district ($1,057); out-of-district ($1,092)

South Central College

The hybrid phlebotomy technician program at South Central College combines online learning with face-to-face labs. Some courses require students to visit campus once a week, while others are completely online. The internship class comprises 100 supervised clinical hours at an affiliated hospital or clinic.

Students can complete all 16 required credits in just one semester. Courses include medical terminology, interpersonal communication, and phlebotomy skills. The hybrid format allows students to work as they complete this intensive program.

• Location: Faribault, MN
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• Expected Time to Completion: One semester
• Estimated Tuition: Face-to-face ($183.18 per credit); online tuition ($217.68 per credit)

University of Alaska Anchorage – School of Allied Health

The Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) from the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Allied Health can be completed online, so long as the student has secured an approved clinical site. To participate in the distance learning option, students must reside outside of Anchorage, Eagle River, and the Mat-Su Valley. The nine-credit program can be completed in two semesters of part-time coursework.

Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for national certification examinations. Admission requirements to this program include a GED or high school diploma, complete immunization records, proof of medical insurance, Basic Life Support for HealthCare Providers (BLS-HCP) issued by the American Heart Association, and a background check.

• Location: Anchorage, AK
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
• Estimated Tuition: Resident ($223 per credit); non-resident ($789 per credit)

Tulsa Community College

While most phlebotomy courses are offered at Tulsa Community College, summer semester courses can be completed through distance learning. In addition to learning how to draw, store, and transport blood samples, students in this program will learn the basics of working in a clinical laboratory, including how to process specimens.

With only 12 students per class, admission to this program can be competitive. Therefore, applicants should work to exceed the admissions requirements to improve their chances of being admitted to this program. The minimum requirements are a high school diploma or GED, demonstrated reading and writing abilities, and a background check.

• Location: Tulsa, OK
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
• Expected Time to Completion: One semester
• Estimated Tuition: Oklahoma residents ($116.55 per credit); non-Oklahoma residents ($341.55 per credit)

University of Tennessee-Martin

The University of Tennessee-Martin offers numerous online healthcare programs, including a phlebotomy technician program. Graduates of this program will know how to perform venipunctures to collect blood specimens, maintain a sterile work environment, and take necessary safety precautions. They will also have a firm grasp of medical terminology, quality assurance, legal issues, and confidentiality.

Students who complete this program work in diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, clinics, and even insurance carriers. Part of this program is completing an externship at a local clinic to gain hands-on experience. Students who complete the externship are eligible to sit for several national certification exams.

• Location: Martin, TN
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: One semester
• Estimated Tuition: $1,299 for the entire program

Post-high school graduation, it can take as little as eight weeks to complete a phlebotomy course and begin entry-level work. Most certification programs require at least one year of work experience to be eligible. 

Step 1: Graduate from High School or Complete a GED (Four Years)

Phlebotomy programs require that students have completed high school or obtain a GED. Completing high school demonstrates dedication to completing a program and proof of having a minimum level of education. Students who wish to pursue a career in phlebotomy should take health, science, and math courses to prepare them for further studies.

Step 2a: Complete a Phlebotomy Technician Program (Eight Weeks to Six Months)

Upon graduating from high school or obtaining a GED, students may enroll directly in a phlebotomy technician program. These courses take anywhere from eight weeks up to six months of study, depending on the intensity of the course and the classes required. Students should select a program that has been regionally accredited or accredited by the NAACLS, as this guarantees a high standard of education.

Step 2b: Obtain Entry-Level Work (Timelines Vary)

In lieu of attending a phlebotomy technician program, students may obtain a job as a phlebotomist in all but four states and gain on-the-job training. Numerous employers will hire without work experience, although certification is generally preferred.

Step 3: Acquire Work Experience (One Year)

All phlebotomist certifying bodies require proof of work experience, regardless of if a certificate or degree program was completed. Requirements for those without certificates are higher and prospective applicants should verify requirements with their certifying agency. Generally, at least one year of work experience is required.  

Step 4: Apply for National Certification (Timelines Vary)

Once the required work experience has been obtained, a phlebotomist may apply for national certification at one of the top three national certification organizations, profiled in the certification section below. The top certification programs require testing, proof of work experience, and continuing education to maintain certification. See the certification section below for detailed information on credentialing.

Phlebotomists are an essential part of any healthcare team. Other medical professionals in the clinic, hospital, and lab typically oversee them. Typical job duties include:

• Drawing a patient’s blood
• Verifying patient identity to ensure proper labeling
• Reading and following orders on how much blood to draw and how to prepare it for testing
• Label blood for testing
• Soothing patients’ worries over the procedure
• Entering patient information in charts or on a computer
• Maintaining a tidy workspace, including restocking necessary tools, syringes, vials, tests tubes, and bandages

There are three top phlebotomist certifying boards. They are:

• American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC)

While there are other licensing boards, these three have been recognized by the Center for Phlebotomy Education as being the best because they require on-the-job experience, testing, and continuing education.

State licensure is only required in Louisiana, California, Washington, and Nevada. Requirements vary by state, but all include at least a certificate. Also, Washington requires phlebotomists to be certified medical assistants.

Phlebotomists make, on average, $38,450 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2021). The 132,750 working phlebotomists in the United States had the following salary percentiles:

• 10th percentile: $28,990
• 25th percentile: $30,430
• 50th percentile (median): $37,380
• 75th percentile: $45,090
• 90th percentile: $48,490