Phlebotomist
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Occupational Duties Phlebotomists obtain blood samples from patients by locating and preparing an appropriate vein, inserting a hollow needle, and extracting a specified amount of blood. Phlebotomists adhere to strict safety protocol and utilize techniques that protect patients from injury, safeguard themselves from accidents, and produce high-quality specimens. Phlebotomists label blood specimens for analysis and take care to ensure that the appropriate equipment is used to collect blood samples from each patient in the interest of quality control. Because patients are often apprehensive about the blood collection process and the possible test results, it is imperative that Phlebotomists project an image of professionalism and compassion, and that Phlebotomists interact appropriately with patients and other health care personnel. The majority of Phlebotomists are employed by hospitals, large medical groups, and blood collection facilities. Occasionally, Phlebotomists are employed in physicians’ private clinics, industrial medical laboratories, or as faculty of Phlebotomy training programs. Demand Because many patients are anxious about having laboratory tests, employers and training providers reported that good communication skills and a friendly, professional demeanor are paramount to finding employment as a phlebotomist. One individual interviewed for the Healthcare Navigator project indicated that employers would rather hire an individual with excellent soft skills over an individual with superior technical skills. Employers prefer to hire experienced Phlebotomists as most individuals in the occupation indicated that Phlebotomists’ skills improve dramatically with experience and time on the job. Most employers concentrate on recruiting and retaining experienced Phlebotomists, particularly in the outpatient laboratory and in-patient hospital setting. Wages are typically higher in these work environments. With regard to job prospects for new graduates, employers indicated that individuals who attended community college training programs are more desirable because they are often job ready. Employers strongly prefer to hire new graduates who completed an internship with the employer, in part because the internship supervisor can attest to the applicant's performance, work ethic, and interaction with laboratory employees and patients. Employers rely heavily on the internships as a screening tool for potential new hires. Though some healthcare facilities post job openings for Phlebotomists, there is not an unmet need for Phlebotomists and most employers indicated that they receive more resumes for open positions than they can accommodate. Training providers indicated that demand appears to be declining and that employers are not as desperate as they were a year ago when the market was stronger for phlebotomists. Because there has been a renewed interest in healthcare careers in general, many individuals have sought phlebotomy training as a means of biding their time until they can get accepted into a nursing program. Because nurses and several other allied health professionals do practice venipuncture and phlebotomists often work per diem shifts, phlebotomy may be a practical option for individuals hoping to climb an allied health career ladder. Wages Phlebotomists in the Bay Area usually earn $15-$19/hr. Phlebotomists without experience typically earn $15-$16/hr in the hospital laboratory setting and may earn slightly less in private offices or small laboratories. Wage data for Phlebotomists is not currently available through the Employment Development Department's Labor Market Information Division. Education and Training California
regulations require that all individuals working as Phlebotomists be certified
through the State
of California-Department of Health and Human Service, Laboratory Field
Services Division. (NB: There are some exemptions for individuals
working for Federal facilities and as Blood Donor Phlebotomists). Individuals
interested in a career as a Phlebotomist must seek out training that will
lead to State certification as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT1).
Students must attend a California State approved phlebotomy training program
to be eligible to sit for the national certifying exam that leads to State
certification. Click here
for a list of State-approved training programs. Click here
to search for programs by zip code and here
to see which programs are on the ETPL. Individuals interested in pursuing phlebotomy training should acquire and review their high school transcripts before beginning a training program because documentation of a high school diploma or GED is required to obtain State certification. Certification Individuals with a criminal record should contact the Department of Health, Laboratory Field Services-Personnel Licensing at 510-620-3801 PRIOR to beginning a training program. Certain criminal offenses may render an individual ineligible for State certification. California regulations regarding State-certification for Phlebotomists were approved in 2003 and are now in effect.The new certification stipulates that all individuals who practice as Phlebotomists in the State of California must have a State-issued Certification. Individuals who want to become Phlebotomists must follow this process: 1. Obtain documentation of high school diploma or GED (Official documents and transcripts only. If these documents are coming from outside of the United States, they must be translated into English.) 2. Attend a California-approved phlebotomy training program. 3. Complete 20 hours of basic classes, 20 hours of advanced classes, 40 hours of internship under the supervision of a certified phlebotomist in a California licensed facility, and perform 50 successful venipunctures and 10 successful skin punctures on actual patients. 4. Obtain signatures from clinical and classroom instructors verifying that classroom and clinical requirements have been satisfied. 5. Submit the verification form to the phlebotomy training program (keep a copy of the form for personal records) 6. Obtain certificate of completion from phlebotomy training program. (Note: The certificate of completion is NOT equivalent to State-certification and does NOT certify the individual to work as a Phlebotomist). 7. Select a California State Approved Testing agency and apply to take a written Phlebotomy examination. Click here for the list of State-approved testing agencies. (The testing agency will require a COPY of the training program certificate of completion) 8. Pass the written examination and obtain certification of exam results from the Testing Agency that administered the exam (Note: the California State Approved testing agencies are independent from the State and from one another). 9. United States High School graduates must contact the diploma granting high school or the institution that issued the GED and instruct them to send official transcripts to: CA-DHS-LFS Phlebotomy Program 850 Marina Bay Parkway Richmond, CA 94804-6403 10. Download and complete a copy of the Department of Health Services California Certified Phlebotomy Technician application. Attach a COPY of the training program Certificate of Completion and a COPY of the Approved Testing Agency Certificate of Completion. Include 2 passport specification photos and a check for $54 payable to DHS-LFS-Phlebotomy Program. Mail the application to: CA-DHS-LFS Phlebotomy Program 850 Marina Bay Parkway Richmond, CA 94804-6403 ***Obtain delivery confirmation from the USPS 11. Within
one day of receiving the application, the DHS-LFS cashes the $54 check
once the application has been received, but this is not a guarantee that
the applicants file is complete or that the transcripts have been received.
Applicants must contact the DHS-LFS-Phlebotomy Program at (510) 620-3822
to confirm receipt of High School Transcripts or GED verification. Click here for more information on the DHS-LFS Phlebotomy Program. Significant Points
Additional Resources State-approved Testing Agencies National
Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences Select Training Programs |