Did you know that needle phobia affects nearly 25% of adults? Nearly 16% of people skip vaccines or other critical injections. A qualified, friendly, and efficient phlebotomist also learns how to help people with phobias and the best ways to communicate.
Have you wondered about phlebotomy technician jobs in Illinois? Becoming a phlebotomist is an excellent career choice if you want exposure to the health field without breaking the bank on costly schooling.
It can give you exposure, references, and experience if you want to apply to other positions or programs afterward. But how do you increase your chances of finding a job in Illinois?
Luckily, we have compiled a guide on how to get phlebotomy technician jobs in Illinois and simple ways you can get started with online classes today. Keep reading on for more information!
What Is a Phlebotomy Technician?
The Phlebotomy technician job description primarily includes drawing blood. Blood samples are used for laboratory tests, transfusions, or blood donations. Here are some other phlebotomy duties:
- Educate patients on blood draws
- Verify identity for proper labeling
- Use databases to enter patient information
- Assemble medical instruments
- Keep areas clean
Where do phlebotomists work? Many phlebotomists are employed in hospitals.
However, you can find work in labs, emergency clinics, or blood donation centers. Home health and hospice agencies also use phlebotomists if you have an interest in traveling locally to a patient’s home. You may also be reimbursed for travel expenses and lodging as a home health phlebotomist or traveling phlebotomist.
Phlebotomy Technician Job Outlook
The mean hourly wage for phlebotomists in Illinois is $18.23 or $37,910 annually. Let’s break this down a bit further by nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas:
- Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan: $16.19 per hour
- West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan: $16.88 per hour
- East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan: $15.93 per hour
- South Illinois nonmetropolitan: $17.65 per hour
- Chicago metropolitan region: $18.71
- Bloomington metropolitan region: $16.96
- Springfield metropolitan region: $17.18
As you can tell, working in a metropolitan region will give you more job opportunities and higher pay. What about demand and job outlook? Phlebotomy technician demand in Illinois is increasing like the rest of the nation.
Between 2020 and 2030, phlebotomist job opportunities are expected to grow by 22%, with nearly 19,500 openings annually. Most job opportunities arise from workers who transfer to other jobs or continue their health careers through education or other opportunities.
How To Get Phlebotomy Technician Jobs in Illinois
There are many online tools that can help you get a phlebotomy technician job in Illinois. One of the best ways is to ask around and freshen up on your online presence.
Take a minute to review your resume and ensure you are presenting yourself on social media accounts or LinkedIn in a professional manner. Additionally, nearly 20% to 40% of companies hire by referrals. Start asking your family and friends who work in the health field about job opportunities.
1. Online Phlebotomy Certification
Online phlebotomy certification is the best way you can secure a phlebotomist position. It will also open opportunities to work in specialized fields for higher pay. Online courses give you the most bang for your buck (so to speak).
You have 24/7 access and can live anywhere in the country while you complete them. Through Phlebotomy Career Training, you can complete coursework in as little as four weeks. Yet, you will have up to six months, making it an ideal option for students or full-time employees who need a flexible schedule.
Online certification gives you 140 hours of course content and covers:
- Proper phlebotomy technique
- Point of care testing
- Equipment use and maintenance
- Anatomy/physiology
- Hazardous waste management
- How to locate veins
- Scope of practice
- And more
After completing the coursework, you will need to complete a final exam and perform 30 blood draws. After taking a national certification exam, you will receive certification and increase your chances of landing your ideal job.
2. Internship or Volunteer Work
Internship and volunteer work can expand your resume. In some instances, it can count towards your clinical part of certification. Although, you will still need a set number of blood draws to obtain your certificate.
You can also search local Illinois hospitals, blood draws, and universities for help getting started with volunteer work. Some may count certain courses as internships if you work through a university. This allows you to check off classes you’d need in college while working towards a phlebotomy job.
3. Use Online Sources
Online job searches are the easiest way to find jobs in Illinois. If you complete an online phlebotomy training course, you may receive access to job boards. These are reliable sources that direct you to job-specific opportunities, narrowing down your hunt to areas or locations in Illinois that interest you.
4. Consider Traveling Jobs
Traveling jobs give you an opportunity to see the country and make more money. Many healthcare shortages nationwide have sparked an interest in travel. For example, traveling nurse opportunities grew by 35% in 2020 and are expected to grow another 40%.
Pay increases substantially with many traveling health jobs and is something to look at if you’re running into a pinch finding a job locally.
Start Phlebotomy Coursework Today
There are plenty of phlebotomy technician jobs in Illinois, but you want your resume to stand out. You can do that through a few steps, such as attending job fairs, finding referrals, or getting help with crafting your resume.
One of the best ways to find your next phlebotomy job is by starting online classes. First, search for a licensed and accredited program. This ensures you are getting valid course materials and access to national exams.
Once you have obtained your phlebotomy certificate, you can find phlebotomy jobs. Ready to get started? Register for our online phlebotomy courses today!
Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.