According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in
2006, healthcare comprised the single largest industry in the U.S.
economy--providing 14 million jobs. By 2016, health care is expected to gain 3 million
new wage and salary jobs, more than any other industry. Most healthcare jobs
require less than four years of college education. If you're looking for a fast
way into a healthcare career, consider pursuing phlebotomy training.
If you've ever donated blood or had your blood tested,
you've gotten a glimpse of what phlebotomists do. Laboratories employ
phlebotomists to collect quality blood samples from patients and produce
reliable test result in the laboratory--from toxin screenings and cholesterol counts,
to tests for viruses and bacterial infections. Phlebotomists also coordinate
continuing education (a requirement for recertification), and arrange
presentations on new techniques, research, and safety techniques.
Why Become a Phlebotomist?
Within the rapidly expanding healthcare industry, employment
of clinical laboratory technicians (which includes phlebotomists) is expected
to increase 14 percent from 2006 to 2016--faster than the average for all
occupations. The increase in new jobs is a result of increasing population and
the development of new laboratory tests.
In addition to expanding career opportunities, phlebotomy
offers an excellent opportunity to earn a livable wage. According to the
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), phlebotomy technicians in the
United States earned an average annual salary of $24,350. According to the BLS,
median annual earnings for medical and clinical laboratory technicians were
$34,270 in May of 2007.
Because phlebotomists need less training than other
healthcare and laboratory professionals, they typically earn lower wages.
However, the comparatively minimal training can allow you to jump into the
healthcare industry more quickly than would be possible with other career
paths.
How to Become a Phlebotomist
If phlebotomy sounds like the right career for you, your
best bet is to begin in high school, building a solid foundation in math and
science. If you've already earned your high school diploma, you can find
phlebotomy training through vocational schools or phlebotomy degree programs.
Phlebotomists can typically find entry-level work after completing an
associate's degree or certificate program. Some have bachelor's degrees in a
life science like biology or biochemistry. Most phlebotomy training includes
classroom work in human anatomy and physiology (with an emphasis on the
circulatory system). On-the-job phlebotomy training includes supervised
practical experience drawing blood, disposing of biohazard us materials, and
basic laboratory procedures. Hands-on phlebotomy training is also intensely
safety-focused, since workers risk frequent exposure to blood-borne
illnesses--including Hepatitis and HIV.
Successful completion of phlebotomy training is a general
prerequisite to gaining state certification. Depending on your location, your
state typically requires you to become licensed through one of six agencies
that give certification exams for phlebotomists--including the National
Phlebotomy Association, the ASCP, and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical
Laboratory Sciences. These organizations are also responsible for periodic
recertification of phlebotomists.
Moving Up: Advancement in Phlebotomy
If you want to increase your earnings, responsibility, and
enhance your hiring potential, you can also gain certification as a donor
phlebotomy technician (DPT). These are the phlebotomists who collect blood from
voluntary donors, often at remote locations. You can also advance to a
supervisory role, with increased earnings as a result. Phlebotomy supervisors
earn $35,000 a year on average according to the ASCP.
Above all, you should be able to work well under pressure,
be accurate in your work, and be an effective communicator. If you're
insightful enough to relay important information to the doctors, nurses, and
your fellow lab technicians, you've already got a head start. Check out
phlebotomy degree programs today.
