Phlebotomy Technician Training & Salary

Phlebotomy Technician Training in Dallas, Waco, Pearsall, San Antonio, TX

There are limitless careers in the medical field, and one of the most rewarding ones you can choose is being a phlebotomy technician. A Phlebotomy Technician is a professional who collects blood from patients and prepares the samples for testing. Phlebotomy technicians are also known as a Phlebotomist.

Most phlebotomists work in hospitals and clinics, but some collect blood for donation. They are important healthcare team members who often need to explain the blood-drawing procedure to patients and help ease their anxiety about it. They are mainly responsible for collecting and preparing blood samples for laboratory testing.

A phlebotomist must know the different types of tests performed on blood samples, what types of medication or diets can interfere with these tests, and how to prepare samples for testing. Many people think doctors and nurses take blood samples, which is untrue.

Doctors and nurses can take blood samples, but it isn’t their responsibility; they have a lot of other things to do in the clinic other than to take blood samples for a test on a regular and routine basis.

Continue reading to discover more about phlebotomy classes and the salary of a Phlebotomist in Texas.

The Roles of a Phlebotomy Technician

The roles of a Phlebotomy Technician or Phlebotomist include:

• Drawing blood using sterilized needles, vials, and other equipment using appropriate techniques to prevent any harm to the patient.
• Identifying patients via ID, medical record, or other means to avoid mislabeling test samples.
• Arrange daily activities based on the urgency of requests for blood and other body fluid samples.
• Determine the right venipuncture technique based on the patient’s age, health, etc., to avoid any risk of complications.
• Reassure patients and ease their nerves.
• Locate veins that are suitable for puncture.
• Ensure optimal quality and quantity of samples.
• Answer patient questions, address concerns, and provide useful information.
• Keep accurate records on fluid specimens, test samples, and tests.
• Adhere to all relevant health and safety standards to protect themselves and the patients while working.
• Help with blood transfusions when needed.
• Label samples correctly and send or deliver them for testing.

The Benefits of Being a Phlebotomy Technician

There are a lot of benefits associated with being a Phlebotomist. They include:

Impacting patients’ lives

You don’t have to be a doctor before you can impact patients’ lives. Your role as a phlebotomist allows you to work with healthcare professionals and patients. You play an integral role in a patient’s treatment journey because patients come to you for blood work or other tests to help make important health decisions.

The results of the test also help in appropriate patient management. You are saving someone’s life by properly taking their blood and ensuring it gets to the lab as a Phlebotomist. Additionally, you may be taking blood donations depending on the set your setting will be used in a blood transfusion or any other treatment to save patients’ lives.

In-demand career

Phlebotomists are one of the top in-demand careers currently in the medical field. Besides being high in demand, it also helps that you can enter the field quickly because it has a short duration of training. The phlebotomy training program at U.S. Colleges can be completed in just 16 weeks.

Once you graduate, receive your certificate of completion, and start your career. Besides U.S. colleges, phlebotomy schools train you to become a trained and certified phlebotomy technician within a few months.

Earn a good income with a stable job.

One of the numerous benefits is that it allows you to have a stable source of income. In phlebotomy, you don’t necessarily need an advanced degree to make a great income for yourself. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomists make, on average, $16.58 per hour or $34,480.

This means you have a high potential of making more income when you get an advanced degree in phlebotomy. You will also enjoy great job security. You will never have to worry about your job going out of style, as skilled professionals will always need to draw blood and process blood samples. Once you are trained and certified as a phlebotomist, you won’t have to worry about the security of your job.

Flexibility and excitement

If you’re the type that’s looking for a career that you wouldn’t get bored with or have rigid work shifts, you should consider phlebotomy. You get to work at different places and settings, so ensure you make the best choice for yourself. Also, there are several work shifts you can choose from as a phlebotomist.

You will also never have to worry about boredom later in your career. The reason is that you will face several different situations daily with various patients throughout the week. Connecting with them and listening to their different stories will keep things interesting.

Phlebotomy Classes in Dallas, Waco, Pearsall, Austin, TX

There are a lot of phlebotomy classes you can enroll in Texas. Still, you must first understand what good phlebotomy classes or training programs look like to choose a good course to help you understand and educate you on your need to start a career in the field. Depending on your skill level, it could also be an advanced class to increase your knowledge and boost your phlebotomy certifications.

Students must be at least 18 years of age and have their high school diploma or equivalent (GED) and a Social Security card to be eligible to register for a phlebotomy course program. The profession of phlebotomy is taught through class lessons, student laboratories, and clinical experiences.

You will be trained to perform a variety of blood collection methods using proper techniques and precautions, including vacuum collection devices, syringes, capillary skin puncture, butterfly needles, and blood culture specimen collection on adults, children, and infants.

In addition to blood collection, you will be taught infection prevention, proper patient identification, proper labeling of specimens, and quality assurance. Specimen handling, processing and accessioning are also part of what you will learn when you take phlebotomy classes.

Phlebotomy classes also teach students the theory and principles of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), waive laboratory sts, and perform the tests in the student laboratory. Some hybrid classes allow you to take lectures online class and come down to the school for laboratory experiences.

Browse Google to check for phlebotomy classes near you, and take your time to research the courses offered by the school and testimonials of past students to help you make a final decision.

Program outline and duration of phlebotomy classes

Outlined below are the different courses you learn in phlebotomy classes.

Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science

• Translate medical terminology using abbreviations, word building, and important terms.
• Explain how nutrition knowledge relates to health and disease.
• Identify the role psychology plays in dealing with patients and their behavior.

Anatomy and Physiology Essentials

• Be able to name and explain all of the systems of the body.
• Describe the structure of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
• Describe the process of osteogenesis.
• Identify the bones in cell formation. Describe the overall structure of the muscular system.
• Describe the general functions of the nervous system.
• Describe the major sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
• List the general functions of the kidney.
• Identify the mechanisms of regulating water input and output.
• Describe the fetal stages and prenatal period.

Besides all these courses you learn in class, you will also spend a great portion of your time in the laboratory learning how to draw blood using different techniques and all other practical experiences you need to get before starting a job in the field.

The duration of phlebotomy classes differs for each school, but on average, it’s about four months, but some accelerated courses don’t take more than 12 weeks.

Phlebotomy Salary in Top Cities in Texas

The average Phlebotomist salary in Texas is $38,345 as of 2023. The range typically falls between $34,540 and $42,825. Salary ranges vary widely depending on the specific city in Texas and many other important factors, such as education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

For instance, phlebotomists in cities like Tyler, TX, earn way more than phlebotomists in an area like Cleburne, TX. That of Austin and San Antonio falls within the average salary mentioned earlier.

FAQs

What is the highest-paid Phlebotomist job?

There are many high-paying phlebotomy jobs, but the highest paid is laboratory phlebotomist. Most Laboratory Phlebotomist salaries across the United States currently range between $39,500 and $240,000 annually.

The reason for this wide range of salary potential indicates that there are chances for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. The Laboratory Phlebotomist job market is mostly always for new and advanced Phlebotomists.

What is the highest paid Phlebotomist hourly pay?

The highest pay for a Phlebotomist is $21.92 per hour. This is mostly for highly specialized phlebotomists working in a reputable and established setting. The highest pay is for top earners in the field, as most Phlebotomists earn about $19 per hour; others also earn less.

Is phlebotomy hard work?

Like every other profession, you must work hard to stand out as a Phlebotomist and earn what you deserve. Phlebotomy requires hard work, but it’s not difficult. You only need to spend time training and practicing to become a skilled Phlebotomist.

How can I become a Phlebotomist in Texas?

You can become a phlebotomist by registering for a phlebotomy class. To take a phlebotomy course, you must meet the requirements to enroll in a course and create time for the classes and practical experience.

The first few weeks into the course will cover basic Human Anatomy and Physiology Overview of Phlebotomy: Legal and Ethical aspects of Phlebotomy.

The remaining weeks feature classes and practicum hours covering the Chemistry of additives, venipuncture techniques, patient interaction, various tests and specimen collection practices, several venipuncture live sticks and the use of a venipuncture Dummy Arm.

After registering and completing the course, you can then go ahead and take a qualifying test and obtain a certification on the field. You can then start applying for job openings in the phlebotomy field.

What is the monthly salary of a phlebotomist in  Texas?

The monthly salary for a Phlebotomist in Texas is $38,345. The salaries start from around $28020 and can go up to $45,380 depending on the phlebotomy job and your skill level.

What do phlebotomists do?

Phlebotomists draw blood from patients. They collect blood for testing, donation, and blood transfusions. The phlebotomists are also responsible for obtaining the necessary information from the patients, answering patients’ questions, and calming patients’ anxiety during the collection of blood samples.

What are the risks of a phlebotomy?

The risk associated with phlebotomy includes pain, bleeding, fainting, bruising, infection, and hematoma (blood clot under the skin) at the injection site. Another thing is that you could get sick to your stomach if you’re bothered by the sight of blood and you’re scared of needles. You could also feel dizzy after the blood is drawn.

What are the disadvantages of phlebotomy?

• Phlebotomists could cause exposure to the bodily fluids of a patient with an infectious disease, which could infect a Phlebotomist if care isn’t taken.
• Needle sticks could also expose Phlebotomists to the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, as well as hepatitis B and C.
• Most Phlebotomists stand up while drawing blood and standing for long periods can cause back or neck strain and fatigue, especially if you have to bend slightly to reach the patient’s arm during blood collection.

What is your weakness in phlebotomy?

Weakness in phlebotomy varies for each phlebotomist, but generally, there’s no serious weakness in phlebotomy that could affect how phlebotomists discharge their duties.