Did you know that leeches were used to draw blood from patients in the 1800s? Barbers used to double as phlebotomists, too. The red, white, and blue poles found in barbershops represent their history as phlebotomists.
Today, we’ve progressed from blood-sucking animals and barbers drawing blood to humans doing so.
Keep reading if you’re interested in working as a phlebotomist in Georgia. This article outlines everything about a phlebotomy technician salary in Georgia.
Phlebotomy Technician Salary in Georgia
Phlebotomists in Georgia make an average salary of $37,060 per year, ranking Georgia 43% below the national average. Georgia ranks as the 23rd highest-paying state to work in as a phlebotomist.
Comparing job salaries, the highest paying jobs are senior phlebotomists who start at $22.22 per hour or $46,210 per year on the higher pay scale. Starting phlebotomists make $13.84 per hour, or $28,790 a year.
If hired as a phlebotomist in Georgia, the pay rate depends on experience, seniority, and your position or specialty. For example, blood donor phlebotomists make about twenty cents more than phlebotomy technicians.
Other Salaries
The phlebotomy salary is average compared to other medical careers in Georgia. Psychiatric technicians and endoscopy technicians both make $37,000 a year.
Pharmacy technicians make $36,000 per year and genetic counselors make $31,000 a year.
Requirements For Becoming a Phlebotomy Technician
You need to be at least 18, have a high school diploma, or GED, be CPR certified, complete a phlebotomy course, receive a phlebotomy technician certification, and take part in hands-on training to become a phlebotomy technician. Also, some hospitals and clinics offer on-the-job training for phlebotomists.
The phlebotomy course varies between states, yet, online options are available. We offer a comprehensive online course for those who have tight schedules, or those who prefer working online.
Our course can take as little as one month to complete, but you have six months to finish it once you begin the program. A career in phlebotomy is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves into the medical community without the added years of education and expenses of medical school.
With 140 hours of content and 35 topics, we focus on all intricacies needed to know to become a certified phlebotomist.
You will learn the basics of blood drawing, how to locate and prepare a vein, anatomy, record keeping, and so much more.
Qualities To Be a Good Phlebotomist
Besides completing training and certification, careers in phlebotomy require certain skill sets to succeed. You need to put your patients at ease when drawing their blood, so here are some characteristics to think about.
Kind Demeanor
Drawing blood from a patient stirs their nerves and elevates anxiety. The best phlebotomists are able to calm patients with their kind demeanor and put them at ease during their doctor visits. Possessing a kind demeanor is one of the major characteristics goof phlebotomists have.
You need to be able to soothe the patient and make sure they are comfortable in your care. Not only will it help the patient, but it makes the process easier.
Quality Communication Skills
You should be able to carry on a thoughtful conversation with the patient. Make them feel heard and inform them about findings and diagnoses.
Detail-Oriented
Each patient differs. Some might need one tube of blood and some patients might need four. The patient depends on you and your accuracy to learn more about their condition or diagnosis.
You need to pay attention to every label and double-check names and birth dates to ensure test results don’t get switched in the lab. Calling a patient with the wrong diagnosis won’t look good on your end and you’ll lose the patient’s trust.
Hand-Eye Coordination
 Aside from being detail-oriented, having skilled hand-eye coordination plays a lot into the success of a phlebotomist. You spend most of the day finding a vein, preparing the vein, and trying to draw blood from a said vein, so having good hand-eye coordination is mandatory.
The patient’s comfort level depends on you so if you find yourself shaking a lot, or fumbling around equipment when trying to draw blood, you could hurt the patient or make them wary of treatment.
Salary Ranges
Starting salary for phlebotomist jobs in Georgia falls at $13.84 an hour, leveling out to $28,790 a year. This is the baseline. If you have more experience or advanced certifications, you can start out with a higher rate.
One way to secure a higher salary as a phlebotomist includes working at a facility that needs more phlebotomists and is willing to dole out more money for them. For example, Registered Nurse Rn wrote that insurance carriers and specialty hospitals pay phlebotomists more money per year due to demand.
Before signing on to a medical facility, research the demand and need for phlebotomists. It can help you earn higher-paying gigs and better benefits.
Negotiating Pay
Negotiating your pay can play a huge role in determining your salary. Stand up for your certifications and experience, and show the employer why your background makes you a top applicant deserving of a higher pay scale. Negotiation skills alert the employer of your drive, and that you know what you want, translates well to the job.
Education
To show employers you are a valued candidate, earning certifications and attending phlebotomy courses or training classes help.
You do not need a degree to get hired as a phlebotomist. In some cases, you do not need to complete certifications or enroll in training programs before you get hired. This occurs when companies offer on-the-job training. But, having certifications and training under your belt before getting hired ensures a higher salary.
Become a Phlebotomist in Georgia Today
Earning a phlebotomy technician salary in Georgia depends on several factors. Your experience, education, training, and your area of expertise.
Most places that hire phlebotomy technicians need some kind of training certificate. That’s where we come in. Our training certificate puts you on the map for any desired phlebotomy job you want.
To enroll in our program and become Georgia’s next best phlebotomist, click here.
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.