Schools with Phlebotomy Classes & Programs
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Medical technology continues to march forward and people are living longer than ever. There are several careers to provide for the concurrent rise in demand for medical services. Among these professions are phlebotomy, or the medical science of puncturing a vein to draw blood or introduce fluids.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021) predicts that there will be a 22 percent jump in this career between 2020 and 2030, much higher than the average projected increase for all occupations (8 percent). These medical technicians serve an invaluable function to society by drawing blood from patients for transfusions, donations, research, and various types of medical assessments.
There are a variety of phlebotomy schools to get candidates prepared for their certification exams and for a rewarding job in this medical field. In order to work effectively, these professionals must be uniquely trained in not only the technical aspects of the occupation but in communicating with patients and medical staff as well.
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. Many programs are offered through community colleges, technical schools, or vocational schools. These postsecondary programs normally involve both classroom and laboratory portions, with courses such as anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. The successful completion of a supervised externship in a medical setting is also common.
There are several organizations that offer certifications for phlebotomy technicians which are covered below. Candidates generally need to complete an accredited program from a phlebotomy school and have some clinical experience (e.g., externship) as well. After completing these prerequisites, individuals may be qualified to take a certification exam. These tests normally involve a written portion and a practical component to demonstrate the candidate’s efficacy at drawing blood.
Phlebotomist fast facts | |
---|---|
Projected Jobs Created | 29,500 |
Projected Job Growth | 23% |
Average Salary | $36,480 |
Low Salary | $26,000 |
Median Salary | $35,510 |
High Salary | $49,750 |
Entry-Level EDU | Certification |
Sourced from BLS, June 2018 |
Accredited Phlebotomy Degree & Certificate Programs
There is a range of phlebotomy schools that can help get a candidate prepared for certification and a career in this growing field. These programs are generally offered through community colleges and technical schools, but there are other options as well. While there are no programs that can be taken exclusively online due to the necessity of a lab component, a number of phlebotomy schools offer flexible options for their students where many of the courses can be taken remotely.
Finally, 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
It’s important to check the varied requirements of phlebotomy schools prior to completing the application.
O*NET offers a tool to help individuals find programs within their state.
Here is a sampling of accredited programs taken from the five states with the high employment levels in this occupation: California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
California Phlebotomy Programs
According to the BLS (May 2021), California has the highest level of employment for phlebotomists at 12,690. 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. The first course, AH220, is a hands-on class involving the drawing of blood from a practice mannequin and later from one’s classmates. It teaches safe procedures for the withdrawal, usage, and disposal of blood. The final course, AH220AD, offers students the opportunity to use their new blood-drawing skills under the supervision of licensed phlebotomists and clinical laboratory scientists.
Students are required to spend at least 50 hours in a supervised medical center before completing the program.
- Location: Long Beach, CA
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: Contact the college for details
Texas Phlebotomy Programs
Texas has the second-highest number of phlebotomists at 12,100.
Lone Star College offers a hybrid phlebotomist certificate preparing students for the national phlebotomy exam which is required by the National Healthcare Association. Comprising 144 clock hours, this certificate program also prepares students for 1 of 2 national exams at the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
- Location: Kingwood, TX; Conroe, TX; Cypress, TX; Houston, TX; Tomball, TX
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: within a year
- Estimated Tuition: In-district ($90 per credit); out-of-district ($202 per credit); out-of-state ($257 per credit)
Florida Phlebotomy Programs
Florida ranks third in the employment of phlebotomists at 7,840.
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. After completing this program, students can take one of the national certification exams.
In order to gain admittance, students must be at least 18 years old. The program requires 165 clock-hours.
- Location: Cocoa, FL
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 16 weeks
- Estimated Tuition: $2.56 per clock-hour
Other Phlebotomy Programs of Note
Columbus State Community College
Columbus State Community College’s phlebotomy certificate program is a NAACLS approved program that 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. Students will also be exposed to a clinical experience where students will complete 100 clinical hours and 100 venipunctures.
Graduates of this 9-credit program will be eligible to take the certification exam through the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
- Estimated Tuition: Ohio residents ($167.93 per credit); non-Ohio, U.S. residents ($343.47 per credit)
Bucks County Community College
Bucks County Community College, a public two-year school, prepares students for the range of employment responsibilities including drawing blood and processing the specimens.
Students in this program will be prepared to work as phlebotomists at several health care settings such as commercial laboratories, medical clinics, hospitals, and other settings where blood is collected from patients. The program also includes an externship that offers students 120 hours of practice in a clinical off-site facility. During this externship, students will be required to perform 100 successful unaided blood draws.
Comprising 17 credits, the program includes courses in medical terminology; basic human anatomy; medical law and ethics; and phlebotomy procedures and techniques. Following the completion of the phlebotomy classes and externship, students are eligible to sit for the certification exam.
- Location: Newtown, PA
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 15 weeks
- Estimated Tuition: Residents of Bucks county ($165 per credit); out-of-county residents ($330 per credit); out-of-state residents ($495 per credit)
In sum, most phlebotomy schools offer one-year programs comprising two courses. These combine both theoretical and clinical aspects of drawing blood. They traditionally involve both coursework and an externship where the students can practice their techniques on mannequins and finally live subjects, normally their classmates, in order to prepare them for the certification exams.
List of Phlebotomist Schools
School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Manhattan Institute | New York | New York | www.manhattaninstitute.edu | 317 |
Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis | Indiana | www.ivytech.edu | 226 |
Bates Technical College | Tacoma | Washington | www.batestech.edu | 142 |
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education | Piscataway | New Jersey | www.aimseducation.edu | 140 |
Pima Medical Institute-East Valley | Mesa | Arizona | pmi.edu | 134 |
Mountainland Technical College | Lehi | Utah | mtec.edu | 121 |
Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix | Phoenix | Arizona | www.pmi.edu | 113 |
Pima Medical Institute-Renton | Renton | Washington | pmi.edu | 112 |
Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque | New Mexico | www.cnm.edu | 97 |
Front Range Community College | Westminster | Colorado | www.frontrange.edu | 91 |
National Career Education | Citrus Heights | California | nce.edu | 91 |
Lansing Community College | Lansing | Michigan | www.lcc.edu | 83 |
Erwin Technical College | Tampa | Florida | www.erwin.edu | 82 |
Allied Health Careers Institute | Murfreesboro | Tennessee | www.ahci.edu | 81 |
Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood | Washington | www.cptc.edu | 81 |
Renton Technical College | Renton | Washington | www.rtc.edu | 76 |
Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | Illinois | www.morainevalley.edu | 75 |
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College | Chicago | Illinois | www.ccc.edu/colleges/malcolm-x | 74 |
Rogue Community College | Grants Pass | Oregon | www.roguecc.edu | 69 |
College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas | Nevada | www.csn.edu | 68 |
Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver | Colorado | www.emilygriffith.edu | 67 |
Institute for Business and Technology | Santa Clara | California | ibt.edu | 62 |
Dixie State University | Saint George | Utah | dixie.edu | 59 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | Elizabethton | Tennessee | www.tcatelizabethton.edu | 58 |
Arkansas State University-Newport | Newport | Arkansas | www.asun.edu | 55 |
Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | South Carolina | www.hgtc.edu | 55 |
MTI College | Sacramento | California | www.mticollege.edu | 54 |
Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey | Florida | www.phsc.edu | 54 |
Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove | Illinois | www.waubonsee.edu | 54 |
Northwest Career College | Las Vegas | Nevada | northwestcareercollege.edu | 53 |
Vista Adult School | Vista | California | vistaadultschool.org | 53 |
American National University | Salem | Virginia | www.an.edu/locations | 52 |
Pima Medical Institute-Houston | Houston | Texas | pmi.edu | 51 |
Coastal Pines Technical College | Waycross | Georgia | www.coastalpines.edu | 48 |
Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa | California | www.santarosa.edu | 48 |
North Seattle College | Seattle | Washington | www.northseattle.edu | 47 |
Southern Crescent Technical College | Griffin | Georgia | www.sctech.edu | 47 |
Apollo Career Center | Lima | Ohio | www.apollocareercenter.com/adult-education | 46 |
Lorenzo Walker Technical College | Naples | Florida | www.lwtc.edu | 45 |
Aims Community College | Greeley | Colorado | www.aims.edu | 45 |
Pima Medical Institute-El Paso | El Paso | Texas | www.pmi.edu | 45 |
William Rainey Harper College | Palatine | Illinois | www.harpercollege.edu | 44 |
Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | www.hacc.edu | 43 |
Clark College | Vancouver | Washington | www.clark.edu | 42 |
Community College of Aurora | Aurora | Colorado | www.ccaurora.edu | 42 |
Lake Technical College | Eustis | Florida | www.laketech.org | 42 |
De Anza College | Cupertino | California | www.deanza.edu | 41 |
Los Angeles ORT College-Los Angeles Campus | Los Angeles | California | www.laort.edu | 41 |
New Horizons Medical Institute | Norcross | Georgia | www.newhorizonsmedical.com | 41 |
Bridgerland Technical College | Logan | Utah | www.btech.edu | 40 |
Carrington College-Reno | Reno | Nevada | carrington.edu | 40 |
Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe | New Mexico | www.sfcc.edu | 39 |
Washburn Institute of Technology | Topeka | Kansas | www.washburntech.edu | 39 |
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville | North Carolina | www.abtech.edu | 38 |
Marion Technical College | Ocala | Florida | www.mariontc.edu | 38 |
American National University | Nashville | Tennessee | www.an.edu | 38 |
Trinity School of Health and Allied Sciences | Torrance | California | tshas.edu | 38 |
Yakima Valley College | Yakima | Washington | www.yvcc.edu | 38 |
Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.ccac.edu | 36 |
Eastern Arizona College | Thatcher | Arizona | www.eac.edu | 36 |
Institute of Medical Careers | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.imbc.edu | 36 |
Northeast Technical Institute | Scarborough | Maine | www.ntinow.edu | 36 |
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson | Tucson | Arizona | pmi.edu | 36 |
Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | Colorado | www.pueblocc.edu | 36 |
Arkansas State University Mid-South | West Memphis | Arkansas | www.asumidsouth.edu | 35 |
Best Care College | East Orange | New Jersey | bestcarecollege.edu | 35 |
Butte County Regional Occupational Program | Chico | California | ctec.bcoe.org | 35 |
Schoolcraft College | Livonia | Michigan | www.schoolcraft.edu | 35 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville | Nashville | Tennessee | www.tcatnashville.edu | 35 |
West Georgia Technical College | Waco | Georgia | www.westgatech.edu | 35 |
Alaska Career College | Anchorage | Alaska | www.alaskacareercollege.edu | 34 |
Black River Technical College | Pocahontas | Arkansas | www.blackrivertech.edu | 34 |
College of Lake County | Grayslake | Illinois | www.clcillinois.edu | 34 |
South Florida State College | Avon Park | Florida | www.southflorida.edu | 34 |
Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | Iowa | www.dmacc.edu | 33 |
Riverside County Office of Education-School of Career Education | Indio | California | www.riversidesce.org | 33 |
Bucks County Community College | Newtown | Pennsylvania | www.bucks.edu | 32 |
Daytona State College | Daytona Beach | Florida | www.daytonastate.edu | 32 |
Warren County Career Center | Lebanon | Ohio | www.mywccc.org | 32 |
Monroe 2 Orleans BOCES-Center for Workforce Development | Rochester | New York | www.monroe2cwd.edu | 31 |
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | Valdosta | Georgia | www.wiregrass.edu | 31 |
Olney Central College | Olney | Illinois | www.iecc.edu | 30 |
Miami Dade College | Miami | Florida | www.mdc.edu | 30 |
Career Quest Learning Centers-Lansing | Lansing | Michigan | www.careerquest.edu | 30 |
Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh | North Carolina | www.waketech.edu | 30 |
Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa | Florida | www.easternflorida.edu | 29 |
Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | matc.edu | 29 |
Phoenix College | Phoenix | Arizona | www.phoenixcollege.edu | 29 |
Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester | Massachusetts | www.qcc.edu | 29 |
Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville | Arkansas | www.anc.edu | 28 |
Bossier Parish Community College | Bossier City | Louisiana | www.bpcc.edu | 28 |
Elgin Community College | Elgin | Illinois | www.elgin.edu | 28 |
Goodwin College | East Hartford | Connecticut | www.goodwin.edu | 28 |
American National University-Lexington | Lexington | Kentucky | www.an.edu/locations | 27 |
Central Coast College | Salinas | California | www.centralcoastcollege.edu | 27 |
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | Baton Rouge | Louisiana | www.franu.edu | 27 |
Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District | Chillicothe | Ohio | www.pickawayross.com | 27 |
Pikes Peak Community College | Colorado Springs | Colorado | www.ppcc.edu | 27 |
Platt College-McCann-Allentown | Allentown | Pennsylvania | www.mccann.edu | 27 |
Traviss Technical College | Lakeland | Florida | www.traviss.edu | 27 |
Fletcher Technical Community College | Schriever | Louisiana | www.fletcher.edu | 26 |
Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Rhode Island | www.ccri.edu | 26 |
Healthcare Training Institute | Kenner | Louisiana | healthcaretraininginstitutenola.net | 26 |
Laurel Business Institute | Uniontown | Pennsylvania | laurel.edu | 26 |
Madison Adult Career Center | Mansfield | Ohio | www.madisonadultcc.org | 26 |
University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus | Los Lunas | New Mexico | valencia.unm.edu | 26 |
Western Nevada College | Carson City | Nevada | www.wnc.edu | 26 |
Career Training Academy-Lower Burrell | Lower Burrell | Pennsylvania | careerta.edu | 25 |
Central Louisiana Technical Community College | Alexandria | Louisiana | www.cltcc.edu | 25 |
Dixie Technical College | Saint George | Utah | www.dixietech.edu | 25 |
Kankakee Community College | Kankakee | Illinois | www.kcc.edu | 25 |
Atlanta Technical College | Atlanta | Georgia | atlantatech.edu | 24 |
Cleveland Community College | Shelby | North Carolina | www.clevelandcc.edu | 24 |
Manchester Community College | Manchester | New Hampshire | www.mccnh.edu | 24 |
Southwest Technical College | Cedar City | Utah | stech.edu | 24 |
Arapahoe Community College | Littleton | Colorado | www.arapahoe.edu | 23 |
Sinclair Community College | Dayton | Ohio | www.sinclair.edu | 23 |
SUNY Broome Community College | Binghamton | New York | www.sunybroome.edu | 23 |
Academy of Careers and Technology | Beckley | West Virginia | www.wvact.net | 22 |
Angeles College | Los Angeles | California | www.angelescollege.edu | 22 |
Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham | Washington | www.btc.edu | 22 |
Columbus Technical College | Columbus | Georgia | www.columbustech.edu | 22 |
Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby | Illinois | www.ivcc.edu | 22 |
Lake Superior College | Duluth | Minnesota | www.lsc.edu | 22 |
Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona | Minnesota | www.southeastmn.edu | 22 |
Pensacola State College | Pensacola | Florida | www.pensacolastate.edu | 22 |
Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood | South Carolina | www.ptc.edu | 22 |
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Chattanooga | Chattanooga | Tennessee | www.miller-motte.edu | 22 |
South Suburban College | South Holland | Illinois | www.ssc.edu | 22 |
Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee | Wisconsin | www.wctc.edu | 22 |
Advanced College | South Gate | California | www.advancedcollege.edu | 21 |
Casper College | Casper | Wyoming | www.caspercollege.edu | 21 |
Central Georgia Technical College | Warner Robins | Georgia | www.centralgatech.edu | 21 |
Hagerstown Community College | Hagerstown | Maryland | www.hagerstowncc.edu | 21 |
Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell | Pennsylvania | www.mc3.edu | 21 |
Savannah Technical College | Savannah | Georgia | www.savannahtech.edu | 21 |
Buckeye Hills Career Center | Rio Grande | Ohio | www.buckeyehills.net | 20 |
Cape Cod Community College | West Barnstable | Massachusetts | www.capecod.edu | 20 |
Dutchess Community College | Poughkeepsie | New York | www.sunydutchess.edu | 20 |
Georgia Piedmont Technical College | Clarkston | Georgia | www.gptc.edu | 20 |
Laurel Technical Institute | Sharon | Pennsylvania | www.laurel.edu | 20 |
Midlands Technical College | West Columbia | South Carolina | www.midlandstech.edu | 20 |
Southeastern Community College | Whiteville | North Carolina | www.sccnc.edu | 20 |
Wayne County Schools Career Center | Smithville | Ohio | www.wayne-jvs.k12.oh.us | 20 |
Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood | Pennsylvania | westmoreland.edu | 20 |
Yavapai College | Prescott | Arizona | www.yc.edu | 20 |
Treasure Coast Technical College | Vero Beach | Florida | tctc.indianriverschools.org | 19 |
Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome | Georgia | www.gntc.edu | 19 |
Saint Paul College | Saint Paul | Minnesota | www.saintpaul.edu | 19 |
Southeast Technical Institute | Sioux Falls | South Dakota | www.southeasttech.edu | 19 |
Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport | Louisiana | www.susla.edu | 19 |
Bakersfield College | Bakersfield | California | www.bakersfieldcollege.edu | 18 |
Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs | Colorado | coloradomtn.edu | 18 |
Edmonds Community College | Lynnwood | Washington | www.edcc.edu | 18 |
Lakeland Community College | Kirtland | Ohio | www.lakelandcc.edu | 18 |
Lanier Technical College | Gainesville | Georgia | www.laniertech.edu | 18 |
Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood | Colorado | www.rrcc.edu | 18 |
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | Mountain Home | Arkansas | www.asumh.edu | 17 |
ATA College | Louisville | Kentucky | www.ata.edu | 17 |
Middlesex Community College | Bedford | Massachusetts | www.middlesex.mass.edu | 17 |
Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos | San Marcos | California | pmi.edu | 17 |
Regional Center for Border Health | Somerton | Arizona | www.rcbh.edu | 17 |
Columbus State Community College | Columbus | Ohio | www.cscc.edu | 16 |
Edison State Community College | Piqua | Ohio | www.edisonohio.edu | 16 |
Illinois Central College | East Peoria | Illinois | icc.edu | 16 |
Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield | Maine | www.kvcc.me.edu | 16 |
Lorain County Community College | Elyria | Ohio | www.lorainccc.edu | 16 |
Polaris Career Center | Middleburg Heights | Ohio | www.polaris.edu | 16 |
Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla | Washington | www.wwcc.edu | 16 |
Belmont College | St Clairsville | Ohio | www.belmontcollege.edu | 15 |
Brookline College-Phoenix | Phoenix | Arizona | www.brooklinecollege.edu | 15 |
Healthcare Career College | Paramount | California | www.infotech.edu | 15 |
Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Illinois | www.jjc.edu | 15 |
McLennan Community College | Waco | Texas | www.mclennan.edu | 15 |
Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids | Wisconsin | www.mstc.edu | 15 |
Northcentral Technical College | Wausau | Wisconsin | www.ntc.edu | 15 |
Oakland Community College | Bloomfield Hills | Michigan | www.oaklandcc.edu | 15 |
Rend Lake College | Ina | Illinois | www.rlc.edu | 15 |
Shoreline Community College | Shoreline | Washington | www.shoreline.edu | 15 |
U S Grant Joint Vocational School | Bethel | Ohio | www.grantcareer.com | 15 |
Wayne County Community College District | Detroit | Michigan | www.wcccd.edu | 15 |
Athens Technical College | Athens | Georgia | www.athenstech.edu | 14 |
California Nurses Educational Institute | Palm Springs | California | www.cnei.edu | 14 |
Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington | North Carolina | www.cfcc.edu | 14 |
Carrington College-Tucson | Tucson | Arizona | carrington.edu | 14 |
Florida Panhandle Technical College | Chipley | Florida | fptc.edu | 14 |
Knox County Career Center | Mount Vernon | Ohio | www.knoxtechnicalcenter.com | 14 |
Laurel Technical Institute | MEADVILLE | Pennsylvania | www.laurel.edu | 14 |
Linn-Benton Community College | Albany | Oregon | www.linnbenton.edu | 14 |
Massasoit Community College | Brockton | Massachusetts | www.massasoit.edu | 14 |
National Polytechnic College | Lakewood | California | www.npcollege.edu | 14 |
Portage Lakes Career Center | Uniontown | Ohio | www.plcc.edu | 14 |
Rockingham Community College | Wentworth | North Carolina | www.rockinghamcc.edu | 14 |
Centura College-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach | Virginia | www.centuracollege.edu | 13 |
Columbia Basin College | Pasco | Washington | www.columbiabasin.edu | 13 |
Gaston College | Dallas | North Carolina | www.gaston.edu | 13 |
Los Angeles ORT College-Van Nuys Campus | Van Nuys | California | www.laort.edu | 13 |
Northwest State Community College | Archbold | Ohio | northweststate.edu | 13 |
Platt College-Miller-Motte-Wilmington | Wilmington | North Carolina | www.miller-motte.edu | 13 |
Seattle Central College | Seattle | Washington | www.seattlecentral.edu | 13 |
Southern Regional Technical College | Thomasville | Georgia | southernregional.edu | 13 |
Tooele Technical College | Tooele | Utah | www.tooeletech.edu | 13 |
Brunswick Community College | Bolivia | North Carolina | www.brunswickcc.edu | 12 |
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center | Altoona | Pennsylvania | www.gactc.edu | 12 |
Manhattan Area Technical College | Manhattan | Kansas | manhattantech.edu | 12 |
Mingo Extended Learning Center | Delbarton | West Virginia | mingoadultlearningcenter.com | 12 |
Otero Junior College | La Junta | Colorado | www.ojc.edu | 12 |
Piedmont Community College | Roxboro | North Carolina | www.piedmontcc.edu | 12 |
Rock Valley College | Rockford | Illinois | www.rockvalleycollege.edu | 12 |
South Dade Technical College-South Dade Skills Center Campus | Leisure City | Florida | www.southdadetech.edu | 12 |
South Georgia Technical College | Americus | Georgia | www.southgatech.edu | 12 |
Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville | Illinois | www.swic.edu | 12 |
Washington County Career Center-Adult Technical Training | Marietta | Ohio | www.mycareerschool.com | 12 |
Barton County Community College | Great Bend | Kansas | www.bartonccc.edu | 11 |
Central Texas College | Killeen | Texas | www.ctcd.edu | 11 |
Clovis Community College | Clovis | New Mexico | www.clovis.edu | 11 |
Florida Gateway College | Lake City | Florida | www.fgc.edu | 11 |
Lex La-Ray Technical Center | Lexington | Missouri | www.lexlaray.com | 11 |
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | Helena | Arkansas | www.pccua.edu | 11 |
Pierpont Community and Technical College | Fairmont | West Virginia | www.pierpont.edu | 11 |
Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College | Miami | Florida | rmec.dadeschools.net | 11 |
Coffeyville Community College | Coffeyville | Kansas | www.coffeyville.edu | 10 |
Mesalands Community College | Tucumcari | New Mexico | www.mesalands.edu | 10 |
South Central College | North Mankato | Minnesota | www.southcentral.edu | 10 |
St Luke's College | Sioux City | Iowa | www.stlukescollege.edu | 10 |
Indian River State College | Fort Pierce | Florida | www.irsc.edu | 9 |
Mohave Community College | Kingman | Arizona | www.mohave.edu | 9 |
Neosho County Community College | Chanute | Kansas | www.neosho.edu | 9 |
Palo Verde College | Blythe | California | www.paloverde.edu | 9 |
Pioneer Pacific College | Beaverton | Oregon | www.pioneerpacific.edu | 9 |
Riverland Community College | Austin | Minnesota | www.riverland.edu | 9 |
Ultimate Medical Academy-Clearwater | Clearwater | Florida | www.ultimatemedical.edu/about | 9 |
RIVEROAK Technical College | Live Oak | Florida | rtc.suwannee.k12.fl.us | 8 |
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center | Brecksville | Ohio | www.cvccworks.edu | 8 |
Lorain County Joint Vocational School District | Oberlin | Ohio | www.lcjvs.com/loraincountyadultcareercenter_home.aspx | 8 |
Abdill Career College Inc | Medford | Oregon | www.abdill.com | 8 |
Advanced College-Stockton | Stockton | California | www.advancedcollege.edu | 8 |
Alexandria Technical & Community College | Alexandria | Minnesota | www.alextech.edu | 8 |
Brookline College-Tucson | Tucson | Arizona | www.brooklinecollege.edu | 8 |
California Institute of Medical Science | Fresno | California | cims.edu | 8 |
Davis Technical College | Kaysville | Utah | www.davistech.edu | 8 |
Everett Community College | Everett | Washington | www.everettcc.edu | 8 |
Great Falls College Montana State University | Great Falls | Montana | www.gfcmsu.edu | 8 |
Learning Bridge Career Institute | Houma | Louisiana | www.lbcihouma.com | 8 |
Monroe County Community College | Monroe | Michigan | www.monroeccc.edu | 8 |
Montgomery Community College | Troy | North Carolina | www.montgomery.edu | 8 |
Morgan Community College | Fort Morgan | Colorado | www.morgancc.edu | 8 |
Northland Community and Technical College | Thief River Falls | Minnesota | www.northlandcollege.edu | 8 |
Oakton Community College | Des Plaines | Illinois | www.oakton.edu | 8 |
Pima Community College | Tucson | Arizona | www.pima.edu | 8 |
Turtle Mountain Community College | Belcourt | North Dakota | www.tm.edu | 8 |
Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville | Wisconsin | www.blackhawk.edu | 7 |
EHOVE Career Center | Milan | Ohio | www.ehove.net | 7 |
Halifax Community College | Weldon | North Carolina | www.halifaxcc.edu | 7 |
Massachusetts Bay Community College | Wellesley Hills | Massachusetts | www.massbay.edu | 7 |
Niagara County Community College | Sanborn | New York | www.niagaracc.suny.edu | 7 |
Nicolet Area Technical College | Rhinelander | Wisconsin | www.nicoletcollege.edu | 7 |
Southwestern Community College | Sylva | North Carolina | www.southwesterncc.edu | 7 |
Athena Career Academy | Toledo | Ohio | www.athenacareers.edu | 6 |
Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa | Iowa | www.indianhills.edu | 6 |
Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Fergus Falls | Minnesota | www.minnesota.edu | 6 |
North Central Michigan College | Petoskey | Michigan | www.ncmich.edu | 6 |
Quincy College | Quincy | Massachusetts | www.quincycollege.edu | 6 |
Universal Healthcare Careers College | Los Angeles | California | www.uhcc.edu | 6 |
Washington County Community College | Calais | Maine | www.wccc.me.edu | 6 |
ATA Career Education | Spring Hill | Florida | www.atafl.edu | 5 |
Baker College | Flint | Michigan | www.baker.edu | 5 |
Carrington College-Phoenix East | Phoenix | Arizona | carrington.edu | 5 |
Community College of Denver | Denver | Colorado | www.ccd.edu | 5 |
Forrest College | Anderson | South Carolina | www.forrestcollege.edu | 5 |
Jackson College | Jackson | Michigan | www.jccmi.edu | 5 |
North Central State College | Mansfield | Ohio | www.ncstatecollege.edu | 5 |
O C Collins Career Center | Chesapeake | Ohio | www.collins-cc.edu | 5 |
Pike County Joint Vocational School District | Piketon | Ohio | www.pikectc.org | 5 |
Southern State Community College | Hillsboro | Ohio | www.sscc.edu | 5 |
Williamsburg Technical College | Kingstree | South Carolina | www.wiltech.edu | 5 |
College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City | North Carolina | www.albemarle.edu | 4 |
Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville | Michigan | www.glenoaks.edu | 4 |
High Plains Technology Center | Woodward | Oklahoma | www.hptc.edu | 4 |
Metropolitan Learning Institute | Rego Park | New York | www.gettraining.org | 4 |
Tri-County Adult Career Center | Nelsonville | Ohio | www.tricountyhightech.com | 4 |
Northshore Technical Community College | Lacombe | Louisiana | www.northshorecollege.edu | 4 |
Bristol Community College | Fall River | Massachusetts | www.bristolcc.edu | 4 |
Career Quest Learning Center-Bay City Branch | Bay City | Michigan | www.careerquest.edu | 4 |
Carrington College-Mesa | Mesa | Arizona | carrington.edu | 4 |
Central Lakes College-Brainerd | Brainerd | Minnesota | www.clcmn.edu | 3 |
Centralia College | Centralia | Washington | www.centralia.edu | 3 |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Granite Falls | Minnesota | www.mnwest.edu | 3 |
Northcoast Medical Training Academy | Kent | Ohio | northcoastmedicalacademy.com | 3 |
Quinebaug Valley Community College | Danielson | Connecticut | qvcc.edu | 3 |
River Valley Community College | Claremont | New Hampshire | www.rivervalley.edu | 3 |
South Arkansas Community College | El Dorado | Arkansas | www.southark.edu | 3 |
White Mountains Community College | Berlin | New Hampshire | www.wmcc.edu | 3 |
American National University-Youngstown | Youngstown | Ohio | www.an.edu | 2 |
North Arkansas College | Harrison | Arkansas | www.northark.edu | 2 |
Frontier Community College | Fairfield | Illinois | www.iecc.edu | 1 |
American National University-Dayton | Kettering | Ohio | www.an.edu/locations/dayton-oh | 1 |
Career Training Academy-Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.careerta.edu | 1 |
Central Technology Center | Drumright | Oklahoma | www.centraltech.edu | 1 |
Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor | Michigan | www.lakemichigancollege.edu | 1 |
Long Beach City College | Long Beach | California | www.lbcc.edu | 1 |
Miles Community College | Miles City | Montana | www.milescc.edu | 1 |
Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill | Massachusetts | www.necc.mass.edu | 1 |
Pontotoc Technology Center | Ada | Oklahoma | www.pontotoctech.edu | 1 |
Ridgewater College | Willmar | Minnesota | www.ridgewater.edu | 1 |
Seward County Community College | Liberal | Kansas | www.sccc.edu | 1 |
Southeast Arkansas College | Pine Bluff | Arkansas | www.seark.edu | 1 |
Spoon River College | Canton | Illinois | www.src.edu | 1 |
Hybrid & Online Phlebotomy Programs
Phlebotomy schools offer a number of options for students seeking flexibility in their course schedules. Although programs require students’ presence during the clinical, laboratory, or externship portions of their programs, some schools offer the opportunity to complete their coursework remotely.
CLIMB Program at Portland Community College
For example, the CLIMB Program at Portland Community College (Oregon) offers a hybrid format combining 40 hours of clinical experience with five hours of self-directed study. This format can be ideal for people with families, full-time jobs, or other time-constraining circumstances.
The practical instruction involves training in venipuncture, specimen collection, and blood-borne pathogens. This program may be especially useful for those with some experience in a medical environment who are looking for more clinical experience and didactic training in venipuncture, skin punctures (e.g., finger sticks, heel sticks, etc.), and point of care testing.
Please note, however, that some experience in a medical facility is necessary for this program, which calls for 100+ supervised blood draws. This is part of the crucial training for the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Phlebotomy Technician National Registry Examination administered by the Board of Certification (BOC).
- Location: Portland, OR
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Expected Time to Completion: 45 hours
- Estimated Tuition: Resident ($123 per credit); non-resident ($258 per credit)
South Central College of Minnesota
Also, the South Central College of Minnesota provides a hybrid phlebotomy program. It offers a significant portion of the technical instruction online which can be completed before the laboratory work. Candidates for certification must work for at least one year as technicians in an accredited laboratory prior to taking the ASCP exam. This work must be at least 35 hours weekly involving both venipuncture and microtechniques.
Consisting of 16 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to phlebotomy; phlebotomy skills; phlebotomy internship; medical terminology; and interpersonal communication.
- Location: Faribault, MN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Within a year
- Estimated Tuition: $3,175
Finally, at Alvin Community College (ACC), applicants must meet the following criteria prior to admission: have a high school diploma or GED; pass a criminal background check; complete the online application; show proof of specific immunizations and submit a completed health form documenting a physical examination; and have valid CPR certification.
This one-semester program also has a hybrid format with online classes and hands-on lab experience. There are a number of skills that are taught in this phlebotomy school including capillary skin punctures, specimen collection at different ages, patient identification, specimen labeling, ethics, and medical terminology. Most of the assignments and tests at ACC can be completed from home.
- Location: Alvin, TX
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: one-semester
- Estimated Tuition: In-district ($1,838.52); out-of-district ($1,908.52)
School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Santa Fe College | Gainesville | Florida | www.sfcollege.edu | 9 |
University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage | Alaska | www.uaa.alaska.edu | 4 |
Phlebotomy Curriculum - Core & Elective Courses
Phlebotomy schools have an array of formats, but most follow a familiar pattern. A majority of programs comprise a one-year (or less) curriculum to prepare students for the following responsibilities:
- Draw blood from hospital patients or blood donors
- Assist people through the process
- Identify patients
- Label specimens correctly
- Enter samples into the organizational database
- Clean and maintain laboratory equipment (e.g., test tubes, needles, vials, etc.)
Here are some of the most common phlebotomy classes in accredited programs:
- CPR and first aid (note: some programs require CPR certification prior to acceptance)
- Anatomy and physiology
- Phlebotomy (e.g., venipuncture, centrifuging and processing, etc.)
- Urinalysis
- Study skills
- Medical terminology
- Introduction to laboratory practices
- Communication
- Blood and cell composition
- Blood sampling procedures
- Medical law and bioethics
- Diseases of the human body
These courses are generally completed in addition to clinical supervision or externship training.
Additionally, there are a number of online resources that can serve as refresher courses in phlebotomy practices. The University of Utah, for example, offers an online review of venipuncture and specimen handling procedures.
It should be noted that phlebotomy can be a stepping stone for careers in medical technology, medical assistance, and other related professions. Depending on one’s professional ambitions, it’s essential to check the program and course offerings at institutions prior to enrolling.
Phlebotomy Program Accreditation
Oftentimes, programs can be accredited by multiple overlapping bodies since there are a variety of regional, subject-specific, and distance-education accreditations.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) is one qualified organization that provides phlebotomy schools with accreditation. The process typically takes into account the curriculum, the faculty, and other standards of evaluation. A comprehensive list of the NAACLS criteria can be found on their website.
Before applying to a phlebotomy school, it’s important that students take into consideration the standards of their state. In California, for example, a special state certification is necessary in order to practice phlebotomy. There is a list of accredited phlebotomy programs provided on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website.
Career Outlook
Phlebotomists work mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctor’s offices.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021) projects that the phlebotomy profession will grow 22 percent between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the average increase expected for all occupations (8 percent). That amounts to a projected 28,800 jobs.
There have been several reasons proposed for this increase in demand, including an aging population, an expansion of access to healthcare with the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the improvement of preventative care and medical monitoring.
The BLS (May 2021) reports the following annual salary data for phlebotomists:
United States | |
---|---|
Number of phlebotomists employed | 132,750 |
Annual mean wage | $38,450 |
10th percentile | $28,990 |
25th percentile | $30,430 |
50th percentile (median) | $37,380 |
75th percentile | $45,090 |
90th percentile | $48,490 |
Career Facts | Phlebotomist |
---|---|
Related Careers | Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Technician |
Common Job Titles | Phlebotomist, Phlebotomy Technician |
Technology & Equipment | Anatomical Human Mannequins, Blood Bank Refrigerators, Blood Collection Needle, Capillary Or Hematocrit Tubes, Non-Vacuum Blood Collection Tubes Or Containers, Phlebotomy Trays Or Accessories, Specimen Tube Holders, Unopette Equipment, Volumtric Pipettes, Medical Software (E.G., Donor Management System [Dms] Software, Latric Systems Mobilab Software, Meditech Blood Bank, Etc.), Spreadsheet And Word-Processing Software |
Sourced from BLS, June 2018 |
Phlebotomy Licensing & Certification
As mentioned above, there are four states which require phlebotomists to be state-certified: California, Louisiana, Washington, and Nevada.
In California, for example, there are only six approved agencies for state licensing and certification:
- American Certification Agency (ACA)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)
- National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT/MMCI)
- National Credentialing Agency for Clinical Laboratory Service (NCACLS)
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Other states tend to have less strict criteria and accept certification from numerous national certification organizations. In order to ensure practice across a number of states, applicants can consider applying for licensure and certification through one of the above organizations.
There are various resources online to prepare students for national certification exams. The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers a reading list including the following volumes:
- Garza, D. & Becan-McBride, K. (2018). Phlebotomy Simplified
- McCall, R.E. (2020). Phlebotomy Essentials, Enhanced Edition
- McCall, R.E. (2020). Phlebotomy Essentials Exam Review, Enhanced Edition
- Garza, D. & Becan-McBride, K. (2018). Phlebotomy Handbook: Blood Specimen Collection from Basic to Advanced
- Phelan, S. (2018). BOC Study Guide: Phlebotomy Certification Examinations
- Warekois, R.S., Robinson, R., & Primrose, P.B. (2020). Phlebotomy: Worktext and Procedures Manual