How Long is Phlebotomy School
Edited by: Lance Elmore
Update March 2023
A phlebotomy technician is a trained medical professional who performs venipuncture, or drawing blood, on patients. They are found in most healthcare settings, like clinics, offices, and hospitals, where they help people learn more about their health. It is crucial that phlebotomists are well-trained and capable. How long does that training take?
It is important to note that most phlebotomy technician programs require a high school diploma or GED. If you have one of those already, your timeline to becoming a phlebotomy tech will likely be between 8 weeks and a year.
There are a number of ways to pursue training in phlebotomy. There are vocational school programs or community college programs, which will each take a different amount of time to complete. Some health systems will even offer training internally. All of these paths can lead to a fulfilling career as a phlebotomy technician! You can find multiple different programs that will fit your needs.
Vocational schools can take under a year to complete the training necessary to become a phlebotomy technician. In fact, you may complete your classes in under six months. There are online programs that are self-paced, so you can complete them in weeks (not months) if you spend time with them every day. These programs have been streamlined to get you ready for your new career quickly.
Community college courses may have a more diverse class schedule or prerequisites and therefore can take longer than a year. However, that time may include hands-on programming and practical applications.
Whichever direction you choose to take, you should keep certification in mind. Not all phlebotomist technician jobs require certification, however, it can be a very good way to showcase your knowledge. The certification exam you are prepared for by your course should be one offered by a well known organization, like the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
What Will I Learn in Phlebotomy Technician School?
In addition to coursework that includes in-depth training of medical terminology and procedures, becoming a phlebotomy technician requires hands-on training. You’ll be working independently with patients! That means you need to be comfortable with the practice of venipuncture, in addition to correctly processing and labeling blood to send to laboratories.
Other skills that will be important to your career as a phlebotomy technician may be:
- Comforting patients who are nervous or uncomfortable around needles or blood
- Keeping a work station clean and organized
- Knowing proper venipuncture procedure and being able to work quickly
- Labeling and sending blood to the proper laboratories
- HIPPA- Patient Privacy and Advocacy
- Drawing and processing samples including urine, and sometimes stool, or other body specimens
- Learning and understanding of the medical purpose of certain blood test. Gaining medical terminology as well as different diagnosis associated with many specimens obtained.
With these skills under your belt, you’ll make a great phlebotomy technician. Your life could change with a new career sooner than you think! Get started today with an online phlebotomy school.
