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Phlebotomy courses abound everywhere, however it can quickly become a daunting task to find a school or program near you. We make your search incredibly easy through our Search by Zip Code box below.

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Phlebotomy Training

Current training requirements for phlebotomists in the USA can vary widely from state to state. Some states require their health care professionals with blood drawing responsibilities to be formally trained and certified, most don't. In California new phlebotomy regulations were adopted into law and signed by the Secretary of State on January 9, 2003 where prerequisites and requirements for phlebotomy students are:

High school graduate transcripts, or GED

40 hours classroom (didactic) instruction
40 hours practical training
50 venipunctures & 10 skin punctures

Different Forms of Phlebotomy Training

Formal training which comes from caring phlebotomy instructors best prepares students for employment as phlebotomists. Educational institutions now recognize and accommodate a working person's schedule. Many schools offer morning, afternoon, and evening classes to accommodate their student's work and personal life and are open for extended hours. Often they also have resource labs that allow students to learn at their own pace and convenience. Phlebotomy training is usually provided at a community college, or at a business, vocational, or technical school. Some phlebotomists acquired their skills through phlebotomy workshops offered through the Red Cross, others are trained directly on the job.

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Phlebotomy Training Requirements

A formal phlebotomy training program typically lasts 4 to 8 months. Some phlebotomy programs require a Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) to enroll. While a degree is not necessary many vocational training institutions offer degree programs in medical laboratory technology, or shorter phlebotomy certification programs that prepare phlebotomists for the job.

Each lecture session is four hours in length

The requirements for the completion of the course include attendance of all lectures

Completion of forty hours of practical work in a clinical environment as specified

Example Phlebotomy Course Outline

Phlebotomy program designed for people who plan to work for a clinical laboratory or public health department or a clinic or hospital.

What to look for in a phlebotomy program:

job oriented curriculum

classroom instruction

experienced instructors

hands-on training

latest techniques and technologies

class size

duration

clinical internship/externship

certification provider affiliations

total cost

financial aid

payment plan options

job placement assistance

Total Program Cost May Include:

tuition

textbooks, materials, supplies

examination fee (*certification exam)

registration fee (*non-refundable)

application fee (*ask!!!)

refundable deposit (*refundable upon form submission)

lab fee (*ask!!!)

early cancellation fee

Refundable Statistics Data Recovery (RSDR)

Student Tuition Recovery Fund (*State of California)

Phlebotomy State Certification in California

Upon completion of the program students will receive a certificate of completion and become eligible for certification in the State of California as a Certified Phlebotomist Technician level 1 through the Department of Health Services (DHS), Field Services.

Lectures typically cover:

circulatory system review

anatomy & medical terminology

specimen collection

venipuncture and skin puncture technique

blood panel review & blood collection systems

Universal precautions

risk factors

complications

quality assurance in specimen collection

OSHA

HIPAA

Phlebotomy Course Outline

Continued Phlebotomy Skills Refinement

Upon graduation the skills that were taught in the classroom are refined on the job. As the number of blood draws increases, the better the technique and skills of the phlebotomist will become. In addition to taking continuing education courses to further solidify their knowledge phlebotomists can attend conferences and courses to keep their knowledge up to date and maintain their credentials.

Those individual who have received vocational training which included venipuncture techniques, documentation, charting and infection control, or those who are currently employed in a phlebotomy position with at least two years of experience should seek certification. Certification provides industry recognized credentials and opens doors that otherwise may remain closed.