Since March 2020, blood donations have decreased by 10%. The Red Cross has issued a blood donation shortage, issuing one of the worst shortages in ten years. Blood donation centers are one critical area that employs phlebotomists. With greater needs for health professionals nationally, the demand for phlebotomy jobs in Ohio has also increased.
Whether you want to help draw blood for the Red Cross or work in a hospital, there are several job opportunities you can find in Ohio as a phlebotomist. Are you interested in learning more?
At Phlebotomy Career Training, we have compiled a complete guide on phlebotomy jobs in Ohio and how you can get started with your training. Keep reading on to learn more!
Is a Phlebotomy Career Right for You?
If you don’t have an aversion to blood and think you may enjoy the medical field, a phlebotomy career could be ideal for you. Phlebotomists specialize in drawing blood. Blood draws are incredibly important and help physicians diagnose, treat, and manage diseases or illnesses.
Phlebotomists receive training on venipunctures, finger pricks, and heel pricks. Training also includes communication skills and managing patients who are afraid of needles or have difficult veins. They will also work closely with medical assistants, nurses, physicians, and other allied health professionals.
How To Become a Phlebotomist in Ohio
Online courses can easily help you become a phlebotomist. Phlebotomy Career Training offers several medical certifications that can be achieved in the comfort of your home. Here is some of the phlebotomy coursework you can expect when you get started:
- Proper phlebotomy technique
- Specimen and point of care testing
- How to use and maintain equipment
- Proper documentation
- Anatomy and physiology
- Hazardous materials management
- Order of draw
- How to locate hard-to-find veins
- Scope of practice
There are 35 courses requiring 170 hours of content. You can complete the curriculum between four weeks and six months, with 24/7 access. After completing your coursework, you will need to schedule an internship.
Before you can complete your certification, you are required to have 30 venipunctures. If you cannot complete in-person internships and blood draws, there are options for virtual simulation kits.
Phlebotomist vs. IV Technician
Sometimes, students (and clinicians) confuse phlebotomists and IV technicians. They require different training and certification. As an IV technician, you will learn:
- Intravenous insertions
- Intravenous flushing
- Appropriate sites for IV placement
- Venous access devices
Some of the basic anatomy and physiology principles remain the same. And you can combine both certifications through Phlebotomy Career Training.
Our Phlebotomy Technician Tier III training incorporated traditional phlebotomy coursework and IV technician. Achieving both medical certificates can increase your job opportunities and pay when searching for Ohio phlebotomy jobs.
Demand for Phlebotomy Jobs in Ohio
Nationally, the phlebotomy field is expected to grow by 10%. This growth rate is around 2% lower than other healthcare careers and approximately 5% higher than all other occupations.
Ohio is no exception, with unemployment decreasing by 0.1% in April 2022. The labor force also grew by 0.1%, although it remains slightly below national averages. With these positive changes, experts predict Ohio will eliminate jobs lost during the pandemic, making it an excellent time to start searching for an Ohio phlebotomy job.
Ohio Phlebotomy Jobs
In Ohio, mean hourly phlebotomy salaries average $17.20. Median pay is slightly more at $17.59. Annually, you can expect an average salary of $35,770.
How does this compare to national averages?
The national median pay for a phlebotomist hovers around $17.97 per hour or $37,380 annually. Let’s break Ohio down by common metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions:
- Akron: $35,760 annually
- Cincinnati metropolitan region: $37,260 annually
- Cleveland metropolitan region: $36,570 annually
- Columbus: $35,820 annually
- Dayton: $37,270 annually
- West/Northwest Ohio nonmetropolitan: $33,640 annually
- North/Northeast Ohio nonmetropolitan: $33,110 annually
- East Ohio nonmetropolitan: $31,870 annually
- South Ohio nonmetropolitan: $30,890 annually
Nonmetropolitan regions will have lower pay and fewer opportunities to work in bigger hospitals and medical facilities. For more job opportunities and higher pay, you may want to consider applying for jobs in larger cities. While the competition will be higher, there are typically greater job opportunities in these regions.
If you want to increase your chances of landing a phlebotomy job, consider asking friends and family for references. You can also complete additional medical training, such as a medical assistant or IV technician certification. Lastly, inquiring about internships can be a good icebreaker once you complete schooling and apply for phlebotomy jobs in Ohio.
How To Find a Phlebotomy Job
If you don’t have family or friends in the medical field, it may seem challenging to find local jobs. One of the easiest ways is to perform a simple search on Google. These can pull up various job opportunities in Ohio and surrounding regions.
Another option is to use job boards from certification sites like Phlebotomy Career Training after you pass your national examination.
Also, consider reaching out to physicians or medical offices personally. Call or stop by the front desk and ask about hiring opportunities. Sometimes, an in-person visit can make you a more memorable candidate when opportunities pop up.
Start Finding Ohio Phlebotomy Job Opportunities
The demand for phlebotomy jobs in Ohio is growing, similar to other healthcare careers. The benefit of becoming a phlebotomist is that you can easily complete the training online.
A phlebotomy career can be ideal for individuals looking to switch careers or prep for medical school or other health programs. At Phlebotomy Career Training, we offer several online medical certification courses designed to cater to your busy life.
If you want to start a new career and keep up with your current job, we have you covered. Check out our online certification courses today to get started!
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.