Phlebotomy Technician Training & Salary

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

Key Takeaways:

• No license required to be a phlebotomist in Texas, but certification is recommended.
• Become certified:
  • Train for 4-12 months.
  • Pass a certification exam.
• High demand career with good salaries (average $38,345/year).
• Training offered in Dallas, Waco, Pearsall, San Antonio.

The medical field has many careers. One such career is phlebotomy technician, which is rewarding. A Phlebotomy Technician collects blood from patients and prepares it for testing. Phlebotomy technicians are also known as a Phlebotomist.

Most phlebotomists work in hospitals and clinics, but some collect blood for donation. Healthcare team members explain how to draw blood to patients to reduce their anxiety. They are responsible for collecting and preparing blood samples for laboratory testing.

Phlebotomists must be aware of different blood tests, the impact of medication or diets, and sample preparation. Many people think doctors and nurses take blood samples, which is untrue.

Doctors and nurses can draw blood, but it’s not their main duty. They have many other clinic tasks besides taking blood for testing.

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:

• Healthcare providers draw blood using clean needles and equipment to protect the patient’s safety.
• 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. As a key part of a patient’s treatment, they rely on you for blood work and important tests.

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. Also, you may collect blood donations to use in transfusions or treatments for patients.

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. In addition to U.S. colleges, phlebotomy schools can train you to become a certified phlebotomy technician in just 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. Before choosing a course, you should know what a good phlebotomy class looks like. It will help you understand and educate yourself on starting a career in the field. You can take an advanced class to boost your phlebotomy certifications, depending on your skill level.

To register for a phlebotomy course program, students need to be at least 18 years old. They must also have a high school diploma or equal (GED) and a Social Security card. Phlebotomy is taught through classes, labs, and clinical experiences.

During your training, you will learn how to collect blood using different techniques and tools. These include vacuum devices, syringes, butterfly needles, and capillary skin puncture. Also, you will learn how to obtain blood culture specimens from adults, children, and infants.

You will learn how to collect blood and prevent infection. You will also learn how to identify patients, label specimens, and ensure quality. Specimen handling, processing and accessioning are also part of what you will learn when you take phlebotomy classes.

In phlebotomy classes, students learn about CLIA and how to do tests in the lab. Some hybrid classes allow you to take lectures online class and come down to the school for laboratory experiences.

Search on Google for phlebotomy classes near your location. Take your time to examine the courses provided by the school. Also, read the testimonials of previous students. This will assist you in deciding which class to choose.

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 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 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.

In addition to class, you spend time in the lab to learn how to draw blood and gain practical experiences needed for the job.

Each school offers phlebotomy classes that vary in length, typically lasting around four months. However, accelerated courses can be completed in as little as 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. Salaries in Texas cities vary based on factors such as education, certifications, skills, and experience.

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. Laboratory Phlebotomists in the United States typically earn between $39,500 and $240,000 each year.

The salary can vary due to factors like 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 mainly for very skilled phlebotomists working in a respected and well-known place. 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.

In the beginning of the course, we will learn about Human Anatomy and Physiology Overview. We will also study the Legal and Ethical aspects of Phlebotomy.

Over the next few weeks, you will learn about additives in Chemistry. In this course, you will learn how to collect blood, interact with patients, and perform tests. You will also practice live venipuncture sticks and use a 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 blood collectors gather info, answer questions, and calm patients during blood collection.

What are the risks of a phlebotomy?

Getting a phlebotomy can lead to pain, bleeding, fainting, bruising, infection, or hematoma where they put in the needle. 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?

• If a Phlebotomist doesn’t take care, they could be infected by bodily fluids from a patient with an infectious disease.
• Needle sticks could also expose Phlebotomists to the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, as well as hepatitis B and C.
• Phlebotomists usually stand to draw blood, which can strain their back or neck and make them tired. This is especially true if they have to bend a little to reach the patient’s arm.

What is your weakness in phlebotomy?

Each phlebotomist may have different weaknesses, but none of them greatly affect their job performance.