How to Become a Phlebotomist in Alabama

Having in mind the fact that all healthcare professions are in constant demand, hospitals keep on experiencing the lack of qualified staff, and the phlebotomy field is not an exception.

This profession related to drawing blood from patients and sending the collected blood to a lab is becoming one of the most attractive career options in the healthcare sector due to the short period of education and training combined with great job opportunities.

A phlebotomist is a professional who works in medical labs and testing centers which are constantly opening in Alabama.

As we know that the demand for phlebotomy technicians is on the rise and that this might be an ideal career path for you, we decided to gather all the necessary information about the education, salary, and job prospects of phlebotomists and put it in one article, with the aim to make your research easier and less troublesome.

Phlebotomy Certification Requirements for Alabama

The regulatory body of the state of Alabama – The Alabama Department of Public Health does not oblige phlebotomists to be licensed.

Nevertheless, if you want to stand out among candidates, getting a certificate is strongly recommended.

Additionally, a certificate is frequently asked by the majority of employers who would rather hire a certified technician who possesses proof of his/her education and skills.

The only way of becoming a Phlebotomist in Alabama is to possess a High School Diploma or GED followed by the appropriate training and work experience.

Now, if you are wondering how to find the training that will be acceptable, we would like to mention that you should enroll in accredited courses which are designed to teach you all the necessary skills through practical and theoretical classes in venipuncture, anatomy, physiology, and the legal aspects of phlebotomy.

It is worth noting that training requirements for taking a state exam are not the only requirements that phlebotomy students must meet.

They are also required to pass a criminal background check so as to become legally licensed.

Required Skills

Being that phlebotomy technicians work with blood samples, they need to have certain skills that will make them the best phlebotomy technicians.

The first and the most important skill is related to their training and education, meaning that these professionals must be well-trained in venipuncture and several laboratory functions to perform the job well.

Skills in working with laboratory equipment are also a requirement.

Plus, as a phlebotomist, you always need to have in mind the fact that you will meet patients before they get a chance to see a doctor, and being that they will be in the state of concern and fear for their well being, you will need to be empathetic, compassionate and patient with them.

The fear of needles is very common among people and the phlebotomist’s main duty is to make the patient feel comfortable and explain to them everything related to the procedure so as to diminish their worries.

Sometimes, it will be necessary that these professionals are acquainted with the medical history of the patient, so he/she must possess strong communication skills.

National Certifying Organizations For Phlebotomists

• American Medical Technologists. So as to be able to get this certificate, you are required to possess work experience, pass an oral or written exam, and upon getting the certificate, you will need to renew it every three years through CEU and re-examination.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology. This certificate requires training or work experience, successfully passed either oral or written exams, and renewal every ten years, which can be done through CEU.
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, It requires the practical exam, written exam, and annual CEUs to maintain certification.
• National Phlebotomy Association. This certificate requires an oral or written exam.

Ten Best Schools Offering Phlebotomy Training in Alabama

Auburn University

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Training Program

School Website: www.auburn.edu

The first school that we would like to include on our list of the best phlebotomy schools in Alabama and that stands out among all the others due to its excellent phlebotomy program is Auburn University.

At this educational institution, students get enrolled in a phlebotomy program which is a 90-hour course.

The enrollment into this program is available only to people who either possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Each and every student must pay $1,299 tuition.

Besides classroom training, students will also be obliged to participate in clinical lab exercises.

Calhoun Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Course (1 semester)

School Website: www.calhoun.edu

Once you enroll in Calhoun Community College’s program, you will find out that you must attend on-campus labs, a clinical site rotation, and online theory parts of it and so as to graduate, all of them must be successfully completed.

However, to be accepted, you are supposed to have CPR certification, as well as submit the phlebotomy application packet.

DCH School of Phlebotomy

Programs Offered: DCH Phlebotomy Program

School Website: www.dchsystem.com

A 9-week full-time program that results in certification is available at DCH School of Phlebotomy.

The tuition, that has to be paid in full before the classes start, includes the price of classes as well as the certification exam and it is $668.

During the training, students will learn the proper way of using venipuncture.

They must be well trained in how to obtain specimens while following the proper safety precautions.

Gadsden State Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program

School Website: www.gadsdenstate.edu

Gadsden State Community College has to offer a phlebotomy training course which consists of just one course, which is CLT 100 Phlebotomy, and enrolled students have to attend 15 hours of lecture and 45 hours of clinical experience.

This program can be completed in five weeks which students find amazing.

The tuition that they have to pay is $220, followed by some additional fees related to textbooks, uniforms, and shoes, physical examination, health insurance, etc.

Jefferson State Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program

School Website: www.jeffersonstate.edu

Students enrolled in this college will attend a 200-hour curriculum program that involves both classroom lectures and clinical settings.

Those interested in applying should be familiar with admission requirements.

They need to have a high school diploma or a GED, and they must successfully complete a reading assessment so as to be accepted in the phlebotomy program.

The tuition is $999, followed by some additional fees that are approximately $350.

The clinical portion of this training has to be done at various locations and students can expect to do random drug tests throughout their studies.

Lawson State Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician

School Website: www.lawsonstate.edu

People who manage to enroll in Lawson State Community College’s phlebotomy program will be required to attend classroom lectures and clinical externships.

The college has been existing since 1947 and it enrolls over 3,200 students each year.

Northeast Alabama Community College

Programs Offered: Short Term Certificate in Medical Assisting-Phlebotomy Option

School Website: www.nacc.edu

As you could see, this college offers the Short Term Certificate in Medical Assisting-Phlebotomy Option.

It is named that way due to the fact that it is really short, consisting of ten total hours.

The curriculum is comprised of MAT125 (3 hours), MAT 215 (3 hours), MAT 239 (3 hours), and EMS 100 (1 hour).

Those who complete this training successfully are awarded a certificate and this license makes them certified as both a medical assistant and phlebotomist.

Phlebotomy Ink

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Training

School Website: www.phlebotomyink.com

This educational institution has been providing quality education to its students since 2011 and it is one of a few in the state of Alabama that offers a phlebotomy training program.

St. Vincent’s- Jeremiah’s Hope Academy

Programs Offered: Certified Phlebotomist

School Website: www.jhacademy.org

Certified Phlebotomist program at St. Vincent’s- Jeremiah’s Hope Academy lasts fifteen weeks and during this period of time, students must attend ten weeks of classroom training and five weeks of clinical experience.

Students need to pay the tuition which is $950 as well as certain additional costs for the textbook and supplies that are around $250.

A high school diploma or a GED/GED equivalent is obligatory for those who wish to be enrolled in this program.

Wallace State Community College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Training

School Website: www.wallace.edu

Wallace State Community College’s Phlebotomy program is comprised of the training part, the classroom portion, and the clinical externships.

The tuition that has to be paid is $1,587.50 and it includes classes, textbooks, and the exam fee.

Furthermore, each and every enrolled student must also pay an $11.50 insurance fee.

Job Prospects And Salary Expectations for Phlebotomists in Alabama

As we have already mentioned, the healthcare field is constantly experiencing huge growth.

The aging population requires more medical help so the growth rate of the phlebotomy profession in Alabama is expected to increase by 20% in the next decade.

Upon getting the required education, you would like to find a job that will provide you with a decent salary, and we want to inform you that the average salary for a phlebotomist is around $32833 annually, while those the most experienced can expect to earn about $36674.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Alabama