How to Become a Phlebotomist in West Virginia

Phlebotomy Certification Requirements for West Virginia

Due to the increasing demand for phlebotomists in West Virginia, most employers have trouble finding skilled workers, so they start insisting on formal training, as well as certification.

This means, that even though the state does not require certification, applicants who have passed the exam and earned their CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) certificate would be rather accepted by employers.

A license is a kind of proof that you are fully qualified to work for them.

So as to be qualified to get a certificate, you will need to meet some requirements:

• Each applicant must have a high school diploma or GED
• Some programs may require that they have gone through a CPR certification course.
• They must be up to date on their immunizations and pass a tuberculosis test
• A drug and criminal background test may also be a requirement
• They must finish a phlebotomy course offered by an accredited educational institution and apply for the certification exam.

There are many college and vocational programs offering phlebotomy training in West Virginia and we will provide details about them in our article.

Required Skills

First and foremost, a good phlebotomist must be familiar with standard laboratory practices, correct handling of all laboratory equipment, and venipuncture techniques.

Apart from these medical skills, a phlebotomist also needs to work with different types of patients and make them calm during the procedure that they may be afraid of.

These professionals can be found working in both large and small hospitals, doctor’s clinics, and blood banks, in each medical facility that is in need of phlebotomists.

National Certifying Organizations For Phlebotomists

• American Medical Technologists. There are some requirements that applicants for this certificate must meet prior to applying and those are work experience and an oral or written exam. Once the certificate is achieved, the renewal is required every three years through CEU and re-examination.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology, These applicants must possess the required training or work experience, as well as an oral or written exam. The certificate has to be renewed every ten years through CEU.
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, This organization offers certificates to applicants who successfully pass a practical exam and written exam. There is a requirement of annual CEUs to maintain certification.
• National Phlebotomy Association. This certificate can be achieved simply by passing an oral or written exam.

Best Schools Offering Phlebotomy Training in West Virginia

Academy of Careers and Technology

Programs Offered: Phlebotomist Program

School Website: www.wvact.net

The Academy of Careers and Technology is the first school that we want to mention that offers a Phlebotomist Program.

By finishing their studies, individuals are well trained to work in hospitals, doctor offices, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, and other medical facilities that need phlebotomists.

The enrollees will attend classes on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 pm – 9 pm for sixteen weeks and they will be required to complete a total of 100 clinical hours.

So as to enroll, you need to be willing to pay $1355 for this program.

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Certification Program

School Website: www.blueridgectc.edu

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is located in Martinsburg.

It boasts a 90-hour phlebotomy program that aspiring phlebotomists can attend on Wednesdays from 8:30 am – 11:15 am or Wednesday from 11:30 am – 2:15 pm.

Classroom work is followed by the participation in lab exercises, and live blood draws.

BridgeValley Community and Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Program

School Website: www.bridgevalley.edu

Another excellent educational institution when phlebotomy programs are in question is BridgeValley Community and Technical College.

Its Phlebotomy Technician Program includes 90 hours of classroom instruction and lab exercises, which are followed by a 120-hour clinical rotation.

The clinical rotation takes three weeks to be completed.

Interested individuals must pass a criminal background check, drug screen, and have up to date immunizations to be allowed to start the practicum.

Mercer County Technical Education Center

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Program

School Website: www.mercer-k12.wvnet.edu

At Mercer County Technical Education Center interested applicants can enroll in a phlebotomy training program.

Mingo Extended Learning Center

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Program

School Website: www.mingoschools.com

Mingo Extended Learning Center is another facility that has a program of phlebotomy technician training.

It was opened in 1969 and is funded by Mingo County Schools.

Pierpont Community & Technical College

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Advanced Skill Set Program

School Website: www.pierpont.edu

If you have chosen to attend Pierpont Community & Technical College’s a 13-credit phlebotomy program you would be glad to know that courses which you will be required to pass are medical terminology, introduction to health career program, basic clinical and lab skills, human anatomy, and physiology, and phlebotomy practicum.

Pierpont Community & Technical College offers 40 degree, certificate, and other programs and it has developed into an outstanding educational institution since its establishment in 1974,

Triad Tech, Inc.

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Technician Program

School Website: www.triadtech.us

Triad Tech, Inc. located in Huntington is a place where individuals who are interested in entry-level phlebotomist jobs can be well prepared for them.

The program is a combination of training, classroom instruction, laboratory exercises, and a clinical rotation during which each and every student is required to complete 100 successful sticks and five finger sticks.

Besides being qualified for a job,  students will be eligible to sit for the National ASPT Board Exam.

West Virginia Office of Laboratory Services

Programs Offered: Phlebotomy Program

School Website: www.dhhr.wv.gov

Last on our list, but not at all less significant is the West Virginia Office of Laboratory Services’  Phlebotomy training program in South Charleston.

It is designed so as to provide students training which will enable them to work as phlebotomists who collect blood specimens.

Besides basic phlebotomy and medical subjects, these students will be taught Regulations and Safety, Federal Regulations, Needle Safety & Prevention Act, NIOSH Recommendations, WV State regulations affecting phlebotomy, and many other topics.

You can graduate in about six weeks’ time.

Job Prospects And Salary Expectations for Phlebotomists in West Virginia

When young people decide which school to attend or which career path to take, they pay attention to how lucrative that career will be and are interested in the average salaries.

We would like to mention that phlebotomist in West Virginia earns approximately $31102 annually.

West Virginia is not among the highest paying states when the phlebotomy profession is in question, but a stable and satisfactory salary can be expected upon your graduation.

You need to have in mind that salaries vary depending on factors like the type of employer, level of experience, qualification, and skill level.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a growth of 14% in the number of new phlebotomy jobs in the years to come in West Virginia.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in West Virginia