How to Become a Phlebotomist in Florida

Have you ever thought about becoming a person who works in a laboratory and draws blood from his/her patients?

Do you think that this job is challenging, yet rewarding when you know that you can help diagnose the disease and save somebody’s life?

If these things are not strange to you and you are keen on medicine, taking Phlebotomy Certification Courses in Florida would be a wise career choice.

Phlebotomy Certification Requirements for Florida

Any career in the medical field is very attractive and promising, due to the fact that there is a large population of elderly residents who constantly search for better medical facilities.

Plus, in combination with a great number of retirees, phlebotomists should not worry about their job prospects at all.

Actually, we can assure you that there will be an increased demand for licensed phlebotomists in Florida, so you should consider becoming one.

The education usually takes two or four years, depending on the degree you wish to reach, and it includes many hours of on-the-job training.

After that, you are ready to take the national exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists.

The regulating body for phlebotomists in Florida – the State’s Department of Health, The Division of Licensing and Regulation, and the Florida Phlebotomy Regulations do not require that a phlebotomist be licensed so as to work.

However, in the majority of cases, people look for a certificate so as to improve their chances of getting a job.

Florida State Certification Requirements for Phlebotomists are the following:

• A high school diploma, or a GED equivalent.
• Attend a Florida State Accredited Phlebotomy Training program that provides:
  • 40 hours of classroom training,
  • 40 hours of practical training,
  • Supervised proof of 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures.

Certification in Florida has to be renewed 2 years after the completion of 6 hours of CECs and payment of the renewal fee.

You should know that there are several different certification levels and it is up to you which one you would like to have.

The highest-paid level of phlebotomy certification is “ASCP Certified Donor Phlebotomy Technician”.

Required Skills

First and foremost, a phlebotomist is responsible for collecting blood samples from patients, and then storing, recording, and processing them.

Besides these professional qualities, these people need to have some personal characteristics that will make them both good people and even better phlebotomists.

Those are communication skills, empathy, compassion, and patience, which are all necessary when working with various kinds of people daily.

National Certifying Organizations For Phlebotomists

• American Medical Technologists. Work experience, followed by an oral or written exam is obligatory so as to get this certificate. Plus, a renewal every three years through CEU and re-examination is required.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology, Besides training or work experience, an oral or written exam has to be completed to be able to get this license. The renewal every ten years through CEU is an obligatory requirement as well.
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, This certificate can be reached after passing a practical and written exam, An annual CEUs is required to maintain certification.
• National Phlebotomy Association. This certificate can be achieved easily if you pass an oral or written exam.

Best Schools Offering Phlebotomy Training in Florida

Cambridge Institute of Allied Health and Technology

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Certification Class

School Website: www.cambridgehealth.edu

The phlebotomy certification class is an 11-week diploma program that consists of 220 clock hours.

The phlebotomy training program is only offered at the Altamonte Springs Campus and students are required to attend two separate courses.

Eastern Florida State College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Certificate

School Website: www.easternflorida.edu

If you choose this educational institution, you will attend a 16-week phlebotomy program which is comprised of a 6-week on-campus course and a 10-week supervised clinical work.

Erwin Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Program

School Website: www.erwin.edu

At Erwin Technical College, the phlebotomy program requires 165 hours to be completed and it can be finished in 5 months’ time.

Express Training Services

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy National Exam Prep Workshop

School Website: www.expresstrainingservices.com

Enrolling in this phlebotomy program will prepare you for the certification exam, but you need to be ready to pay the total cost of $800.

There is also an 8-hour phlebotomy workshop that costs only $200.

Which of these two you will choose highly depends upon your needs.

Florida Gateway College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Program

School Website: www.fgc.edu

Florida Gateway College has to offer a 165-hour phlebotomy program during which you will be attending a classroom lecture combined with six weeks of clinical work.

Indian River State College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program

School Website: www.irsc.edu

Not everyone can enroll in this program offered at Indian River State College.

Admission is allowed to people who are at least 18 years of age, who meet the minimum TABE scores, who complete a drug screen, fingerprint, and criminal background check, and well as provide an official transcript and copies of their SAT or ACT scores

Lake Technical Center

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program

School Website: www.laketech.org

Prospective students must meet the admission criteria so as to start classes, and that is, to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and be employed in direct patient care.

They need to be ready to pay the tuition for this course which is $475.20.

Lindsey Hopkins Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Aide Program

School Website: www.lindseyhopkins.edu

Lindsey Hopkins Technical College boasts a 165-hour phlebotomy aide program.

Lorenzo Walker Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Aide Program

School Website: www.lwtc.edu

Lorenzo Walker Technical College is another educational institution that offers a 165-hour phlebotomy program.

Marion Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Program

School Website: www.mariontc.edu

You can also choose Marion Technical College for your future phlebotomist education.

This school is well known due to the fact that its graduates find employment in facilities such as Leesburg Regional Hospital, One Blood, LifeSouth, and Advent Health.

Miami Dade College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Program

School Website: www.mdc.edu

Miami Dade College also offers a phlebotomy program for future professionals in this field.

North Florida Medical Institute

Programs Offered: Allied Medical Training in Phlebotomy and Venipuncture

School Website: www.nflmi.com

At the North Florida Medical Institute, admission is only allowed to applicants who are at least 18 years of age.

In case you are enrolled, you need to pay a $200 enrollment fee.

Pasco-Hernando State College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomist Technical Credit Certificate

School Website: www.phsc.edu

Pasco-Hernando State College boasts a phlebotomy training during which students must attend 48 hours of classroom instruction, 53 hours of lab, and 60 hours of clinical work.

Pensacola State College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician (PHLEB-VC) Training Program

School Website: www.pensacolastate.edu

Phlebotomy Learning Center of Orlando

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program

School Website: www.plcoforlando.com

Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Aide Program

School Website: www.robertmorgantech.net

This program of phlebotomy aide is a 165-hour program.

Sheridan Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Program

School Website: www.sheridantechnicalcollege.edu

Sheridan Technical College is also proud to offer a 165-hour phlebotomy program.

South Dade Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Aide Program

School Website: www.southdadetech.edu

At South Dade Technical College students will not only learn medical skills necessary for phlebotomists’ work but also communication skills in a healthcare setting, infection control, and quality insurance,  just to mention a few.

South Florida State College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Training Program

School Website: www.southflorida.edu

South Florida State College offers a 165-hour phlebotomy program which is based on certain basic concepts of phlebotomy, CPR for healthcare providers, and phlebotomy practicum.

Ultimate Medical Academy

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Training Program

School Website: www.ultimatemedical.edu

This phlebotomy training program can be completed in 4 months’ time and upon graduation, phlebotomists can look for entry-level positions as a phlebotomist in various medical facilities.

Job Prospects And Salary Expectations for Phlebotomists in Florida

Phlebotomist job growth is great and it is expected to be even better, being that a lot of facilities are looking for Certified Phlebotomists, according to online job listings.

The average wage for a Florida Phlebotomist ranges between $10.29 and $13.62 per hour, that is, approximately $33289 per year.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Florida