Phlebotomy Training Program Overview & Costs

A good and fairly fast way to get a start in the health and medical field is to take a phlebotomy training program. If you are in need of an income while going to school, you can work as a phlebotomist while finishing a college degree. Phlebotomy is the practice of collecting blood samples from a patient.

Most community colleges offer phlebotomy technician training as a certificate program or, you can go to a trade school for health occupations. While attending, you will learn the proper procedures for drawing blood from a patient’s veins, how to handle patient records, keeping the samples clean, sanitation, and how to talk with the patients. Learning what to do in case of an emergency, such as performing CPR, and how to avoid contamination of yourself with the fluids you collect. They will teach you to perform certain tests with the collected specimens. While in training, you will work on fellow students, drawing blood from each other. Preparing slides, and the stains and reagents needed for them will also be taught. Your book studies will involve the circulatory system, focusing on the veins and blood composition.

While there is some phlebotomy training online, there must also be hands on work. If you complete the bookwork online, you need to complete at least 100 unaided blood draws. You may need to find a facility that will allow you to come and practice if the school does not provide that for you. You also need to complete 120 hours of hands on work outside of the training facility.  Most schools help provide you with an externship site after you have completed training; working without pay while you get your hands on hours to graduate. You will need to have one year of full time experience to become certified. While certification is not necessary, most employees look for it.

The average cost to attend a phlebotomy training course will depend on whether you take it at a community college or a trade school. Generally, you can expect to pay around $500.00 plus fees and books. The course will take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 semesters. Some trade schools will allow you to attend without a high school diploma, but will require you to obtain a G.E.D before you can graduate. The average salary for a phlebotomist is $12.00 per hour. Often people start out here, and then take more courses and become a medical assistant.


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