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