Phlebotomy is a medical profession in which phlebotomists perform skin punctures and venipuncture blood collections on their patients, which is essential to diagnostic testing for diseases and illnesses in both medical and clinical settings. Phlebotomists require great precision and are quick to adapt to different vein types and other variables. Though working with blood may not sound appealing at first, being proficient in phlebotomy exposes phlebotomists to a variety of opportunities in the medical workplace.
The field of phlebotomy is constantly changing and growing. With an increasing demand for phlebotomists, this position guarantees relatively steady employment and exposure to new opportunities. If you are a fast learner who enjoys learning new techniques and wants to grow professionally, phlebotomy may be the career for you. Let’s go over a few major reasons to become a phlebotomist.
FAST LICENSING
Phlebotomists tend to get licensed faster when compared to other entry level positions in the medical workplace, such as medical assistants or certified nursing assistants. The length of time to get your phlebotomy certification can take as little as 5 weeks, whereas other programs may take many months or even close to a year. For example, courses for certified nurse assistants can take as long as 3 months and those for medical assistants take 9-10 months on average. In these other professions, a 5-week course would only cover the beginning of their underlying theory. For phlebotomy, students can receive an in-depth quality education in 5 weeks and learn the skills they need to succeed in the field.
In addition, phlebotomy programs are typically much less expensive than other medical training programs. On average, phlebotomy courses cost a few thousand dollars, which is relatively inexpensive in the grand scheme of things. In contrast, a medical assistant course typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000.
Furthermore, phlebotomy courses tend to have a wide range of availability to apply. For instance, PhlebotomyU regularly offers a wide range of classes, including monthly weekday morning classes. Other medical programs often have specific deadlines, which may limit availability to someone who is looking for immediate training and employment.
JOB SECURITY
Phlebotomy is an increasingly essential career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), phlebotomy positions are projected to increase by 23% from 2018 to 2028, higher than the growth rates for many other professions. Part of the reason may be due to increased precautions when handling blood samples becoming a norm across the industry. Obtaining such samples are essential to diagnostic testing for diseases and illnesses in either medical or clinical settings.
Having a career in the medical field almost guarantees job security. In the dynamic world of healthcare, the medical industry will likely always need phlebotomists to obtain and process blood specimens. As seen from the BLS statistic, the demand for this work is increasing.
GREAT JOB OPPORTUNITIES
As a phlebotomist, you are granted unique experiences to work in a variety of settings with diverse groups of people. Phlebotomists may work in hospitals, clinics, and research laboratories or serve as a mobile phlebotomist. Either way, phlebotomists tend to have flexible work schedules which allows enough time to pursue additional professional growth.
Furthermore, phlebotomists are offered a generous salary in comparison to other entry level positions. The cost of a phlebotomy education is worthwhile and better than paying thousands of dollars for other degrees. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for phlebotomists was $38,480 in 2018, which is about $16.58 per hour. This wage rate has been growing through 2020, and is only expected to increase into the future.
FUN AND EXCITING WORK
Being a phlebotomist allows you to pursue enjoyable work. Being in the medical field, phlebotomists are always learning something new and aspiring to achieve new techniques and skills. The workplace is constantly improving and looking for ways to better the field.
If you desire an interactive career, phlebotomy is the occupation for you. Not only is the profession’s abilities regularly expanding, but phlebotomists are able to work with diverse people in a variety of different settings. Phlebotomists may also travel for work (i.e. mobile phlebotomy).
All in all, phlebotomists are granted the privilege to meet all types of people and utilize different phlebotomy techniques. Bloodwork has no age limit and you can make meaningful connections with patients that make the job rewarding.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Going to phlebotomy school does not create a finite career path. Oftentimes, phlebotomy is a stepping stone into other medical fields. Many phlebotomists gain experience in the field, finetune their interests, and then pursue new healthcare roles. Some careers that phlebotomists advance to include medical laboratory technicians, clinical laboratory scientists, and registered nurses.
Phlebotomy allows people to practice in the medical field and further their professional growth before applying to more competitive and expensive programs. In fact, most of these positions use phlebotomist strategies. Sometimes, practicing phlebotomy may be a prerequisite for future career positions, such as medical laboratory technicians.
In terms of applying to other medical courses, an additional certification would increase your chances of being hired or receive a more competitive salary. Or, it may lead to a higher likelihood of getting into other medical programs given the time you’ve worked in a medical profession.
BECOME A PHLEBOTOMIST
PhlebotomyU provides unique opportunities for our students to professionally grow and gain practical experience before they begin their career. Phlebotomy is an increasingly popular career in the medical field, and you can start your in-depth education through one of PhlebotomyU’s accessible class times. Our course provides 90-100 hours of in-classroom phlebotomy theory and supervised practical instruction plus a 1-3 week internship at a respected local hospital or clinic. Learn more about PhlebotomyU today.
