Phlebotomist Salary: Qualifications, Types Of Phlebotomist, And More

It is important that you know the salary and other benefits associated with a job before taking it up. It is also crucial to understand the expectation, duties, and responsibilities that are part of a particular job role. This holds true for phlebotomist. 

Phlebotomists are crucial to a medical team as they are in charge of drawing blood and other specimen samples. This blood is used for donations, tests, transfusions, and research. A phlebotomist is expertly trained to handle and negate adverse reactions in a patient due to the blood drawing process. There are a variety of important duties that a phlebotomist has to undertake. These are:

A phlebotomist is responsible for collecting blood samples and specimen samples from a patient. It is the duty of a phlebotomist to clearly mark the vials with patient names and tests.

Proper patient identification needs to be maintained at all times in order to differentiate the various blood samples. This is especially important while working on hospital floors.

The best possible method for drawing blood should be deciphered depending upon various patient factors. A phlebotomist works with many patients varying in health and age status.

In most cases, a phlebotomist is responsible for carting the blood samples to a laboratory. Depending on the place of work, he might also be responsible for running it in a centrifuge.

It is crucial to maintain infection control standards at all times. It is also important to keep the phlebotomist station or cart well organized.

There are various types of phlebotomists as per the kinds of duties performed and the state in which they work. These job titles differ on the basis of experience and salary. For instance, a PSC Site Coordinator tends to make the highest amount on average. Other work options include blood donor phlebotomist, phlebotomy technician, phlebotomist lab assistant and mobile phlebotomist.

A phlebotomist salary depends upon individual skill sets rather than educational qualifications. The skills and training required differ from state to state. A phlebotomist course in most case lasts only a couple of months and includes a clinical training period. This clinical training is more often than not set up by the phlebotomist classes in order to help you work as a student phlebotomist. In most cases, you might not get phlebotomist salary while working as a training student.

These classes are usually given as adult non-college courses and do not require a degree. The educational requirements differ from state to state. A certificate is awarded after successful completion of both class and clinical course. This certification can procure a higher phlebotomist salary for you. After the initial certification, it is important that you appear for re-certification as and when required. This will help you stay up to date with the current practice and keep your certifications active.

There are only four states in the USA that require mandatory certification to gain employment as a phlebotomist. However, even if a certification is not mandated by the government in the state you live in, it is beneficial that you acquire these certificates. This will provide you with an edge among your colleagues and will help in increasing your salary.

For instance, a certified phlebotomy technician stands to make $2 more per hour on average as compared to a non-certified one. A certified phlebotomy instructor can make $36,000 annually. Washington, Louisiana, Nevada, and California are the only 4 states that require a certification.

There are other skill sets that are necessary to become a successful phlebotomist. This is a peoples job and you ensure that you have a pleasing personality and a modicum of empathy towards the pain of others. It is important to see people as real while drawing their blood and other samples. This job is also fast paced and you need to be quick on your feet and in the thought process.

Other popular skills that can ensure a higher paying salary include data entry skills and customer service. It is also recommended that you have medical knowledge, experience, and skills in areas of pediatrics and geriatrics.

There are several career options that can be undertaken after working as a phlebotomist. The most common career path is working as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. There are multiple fields such as an emergency room, charge nurse, family practitioner nurse and MDS coordinator where one can find gainful employment. Other options include becoming a phlebotomist supervisor, medical laboratory technician or dialysis technician.

A phlebotomist can work in various settings ranging from private laboratories, hospitals to other medical settings. Phlebotomist salary depends on a number of related factors such as a certification, place of work and experience.

The average hourly phlebotomist salary is $14.15 as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage is $31,410. Professionals who are just starting out in this field can earn anything from $10.46 to $12.27 hourly. With the right certification and experience, this pay can increase to $20.77 hourly.

The average salary differs as per the job responsibilities as well. It is not guaranteed that each phlebotomist will earn the same amount. For instance, a PSC site coordinator makes 30% more than a blood donor phlebotomist. However, phlebotomy technicians and mobile phlebotomists tend to make the same amount.

Apart from the salary in hand, there are a number of perks and benefits that phlebotomists are entitled to. However, these benefits depend upon the state you work in and the facility you work for. Some more common benefits are:

In most cases, you will receive health insurance comprising 14% of the pay packet as part of the benefits. These health insurances include dental, vision and medical benefits. However, some employers might also offer more comprehensive insurance plans that might include life and long-term disability as well. An average insurance plan can cost anywhere around $6,592 annually.

Many employers prefer providing social security instead of retirement plans. The credits are provided by the employer in order to make you eligible. Social security can provide many benefits at the time of retirement, disability or death.

401K and 403B are among the most common retirement pension plans. The more traditional plans are fast being replaced by these. Retirement plans can comprise 2.4% of your phlebotomist salary package. On an average, these may cost $1,103 annually.

Leaves and vacations are a great benefit that complements salary packages. Sick leave and vacation benefits can average at 8.1% of the salary package or $3,772 annually.

Every certified phlebotomist requires ongoing certifications to keep their certificates active. Many times employers might offer continuing education units (CUE) as assistance to be re-certified. Your employer might find your tuition in addition to providing paid leave to assist with your studies.

Your workplace plays a great role in determining your salary. General medical and surgical hospitals provide the highest employment opportunities as per a report by Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the most lucrative options are provided by insurance carriers.

Health and personal care stores, individual and family services, specialty hospitals, and management of companies and enterprises are some of the higher paying insurance sectors. However, it is important to note that there are very limited opportunities in these sectors.

The national annual average for phlebotomist salary is $30,150. San Diego and Boston are the highest paying cities with Philadelphia coming in as a close second. Houston and New York are also lucrative options for a phlebotomist.

These tips can help you get a higher salary whether you are a working professional or are yet to graduate.

A certification looks good on the resume and gives you an edge over other people working in this field. Even if it is not required by your state, it is recommended that you get certified.

A phlebotomist specialist requires dedicated years of experience and additional certification. However, it gives you the edge over an average phlebotomist while increasing your salary.

Choosing to become a phlebotomist can be empowering because you are helping doctors in caring for and healing patients. You get to meet different people every day and can even acquire flexible hours depending upon your place of work. However, it is important that you have a pleasing personality and the right certifications to get ahead in this field.

Learning about the career path and salary options is critical to attaining job satisfaction. It is important that you understand your worth and push for the right salary.