In 2021, we went through what experts are calling “the great resignation.” In other words, people saw how unhappy they were in their careers, and more people quit their jobs and switched industries than ever before.
Consider phlebotomy if you’re not happy in your current job and want to make a hands-on difference in people’s lives. It’s a patient-facing job with high security and good pay in the medical sector.
Interested? Learn how to become a Phlebotomy technician in Florida below.
What Is Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is the practice of taking medical blood samples from patients. These blood samples can help diagnose disorders and infections or act as check-points to monitor the development/improvement of disease.
AÂ phlebotomist is a person who draws blood from the patient in a hospital, urgent care, blood donation center, or outpatient medical clinic.
The Career Outlook for Phlebotomy
If the recent pandemic taught us anything, it showed us how important it is to take care of our health. Medical labs have grown and multiplied exponentially in the last few years and are having a hard time finding enough people to staff them.
That’s a good thing for future phlebotomists, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Agrees. They rate phlebotomy’s growth as “Much faster than average,” at 22% growth expected in the next ten years.
That’s a six percent higher growth rate than other healthcare support careers, most of which have long training times.
In 2020, the BLS estimated 129,600 Phlebotomists were working in the US. They expect 28,000 more jobs to open up in the field by 2030 (assuming the current supply stays steady).
Let’s Talk Money
According to that same source, the average hourly rate for a phlebotomist is around $17.46 an hour. That comes out to approximately $36,300 a year. For context, that salary is just over the median income for a single earner in the US, by about $1,000.
Phlebotomists in private care centers, like outpatient clinics, make more than average. The same is true for those who work in medical laboratories, like those discussed above (BLS source).
Florida is a great place for phlebotomists. The state has no income tax, which means you’ll keep more of your earnings. Additionally, the sunshine state has a large population of older adults who seek medical treatment more often than other age groups. There’s no shortage of healthcare jobs in Florida!
The cost of living in most cities in Florida is still low, making it a great spot for new phlebotomists all around.
What Traits Do Phlebotomists Need?
The most important thing to think about when considering phlebotomy courses is how you do around blood. Do you get nervous or faint at the sight of blood, or does it not phase you? Phlebotomists need to be comfortable working around blood, needles, and functioning in a medical setting.
As a phlebotomist, you’ll work with patients each day, taking their blood and inputting their information into the computer. You’ll need to work well in teams, as you’ll be filling orders from Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and PAs.
Additionally, phlebotomists need to understand cleanliness, the circulatory system, and computer skills.
If you don’t have any medical knowledge but are still interested in a career in phlebotomy, don’t worry! We’re going over how to get a phlebotomy certification below.
How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician: Application Basics
To apply to a phlebotomy program, you’ll need a high school diploma or proof of a GED. A background in scientific subjects will help you during your program but aren’t required for admission.
You won’t need any work experience to register for the course.  All you’ll need is your high school education, a laptop with an internet connection, and less than $1,000 to enroll in a phlebotomy course online.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Phlebotomy Certification?
If you purchase this Phlebotomy certification, you could finish your coursework in just four weeks. But if you can’t work on the course full time, you have up to six months to complete the course at your pace.
Coursework covers biological basics, goes over the circulatory system in-depth, and helps you develop your friendly bedside demeanor. The course covers 35 different modules, coming to a total of 140 hours.
Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll need to start studying for your Phlebotomy Certification Exam, which you’ll take through the licensing association in your state. Your registration for this course comes with one complimentary admission to the National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals’Â certification exam.
Once you pass that exam, you’ll need to do an in-person internship where you can get practice hours doing live blood draws. This hands-on experience is the last step in becoming a licensed phlebotomist.
Becoming a Working Phlebotomy Technician in Florida
If you commit to your studies, you can get this course and your internship done in six months. If you work a full-time job while taking this class, you can aim to be an employed phlebotomist in less than a year.
Course graduates from our institution boast a 95% employment rate after passing their exam. Pair that with the increased job demand to see why getting your phlebotomy certification in Florida just makes sense!
Cost of a Phlebotomy Certification
The average four-year college degree costs $35,000. Our Phlebotomy course is less than $1,000 and includes the price of sitting for your NAPTP exam.
This certification could change your life in less than a year, for less than a grand. There’s no reason not to look into getting a certification for phlebotomists.
Getting Your Phlebotomy Certification: The Best Choice You’ll Ever Make
If you don’t mind blood, love working with patients, and want a career that has high job security, look into phlebotomy. It’s low-cost, easy to start, and requires no previous work experience.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to how to become a phlebotomy technician in Florida. To register for this certification, 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.