If you want to know more about becoming a phlebotomist in Alabama, please read on!
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Phlebotomist Employment and Job Duties
These specialists can work in a variety of environments, such as:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Labs
- Nursing homes
- Community Health Centers
- Doctor’s Offices
- Other Health Care Facilities
The duties of a phlebotomist rarely vary between workplaces.
While they mainly have to draw blood from patients, they also have a few other duties.
They are responsible for completing these tasks:
- Venipunctures
- Correctly labeling samples
- Organizing and sending off samples to the lab for testing
- Communicating with patients
The description of the position, however, may be different from one facility to the next.
Your working hours may also differ because, in some of these centers, such technicians might be needed 24/7.
Requirements to Become a Phlebotomist in Alabama
The Department of Public Health in Alabama doesn’t require phlebotomists to hold a certification.
It’s actually the employers who prefer hiring individuals with credentials in the field.
The Alabama Department of Health and Social Services is the regulatory body for this profession in this state.
The Department also strongly advises those who want to become phlebotomists to earn a certification.
For this occupation, a high school diploma or GED along with relevant training is very important.
Someone with excellent communication skills is an ideal candidate for this position.
As a phlebotomist, you’ll spend a lot of time interacting with a variety of people, most of them being patients.
Many patients are scared of needles or are uncomfortable seeing blood, while some might even faint.
Knowing a few things about the various conditions a person may suffer from is also important.
In this case, listening skills are always a plus.
Phlebotomist Training in Alabama
Once you decide you want to become a phlebotomist and have your high school diploma or GED in hand, it’s time you search for some training classes.
When seeking training in this field in Alabama, make sure that the program received accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory.
The classes can last anywhere from a minimum of 3 weeks to a maximum of 6 months.
Upon completion of the course, you’ll need to pass an exam.
To receive your certification, you’ll need a clean criminal record as well.
These are the schools offering training for this profession.
11 Phlebotomy Schools in Alabama
School Name Address Auburn University 301 OD Smith Hall, 135 S College St., Auburn, Alabama 36849 Calhoun Community College Decatur Campus, 6250 Hwy. 31 North, Tanner, AL 35671 DCH School of Phlebotomy DCH Regional Medical Center, 809 University Blvd. E., Tuscaloosa AL, 35401-2029 Gadsden State Community College 1001 George Wallace Dr., Gadsden, AL 35903 Jefferson State Community College Jefferson Campus, 2601 Carson Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35215 Lawson State Community College 1100 Ninth Avenue SW, Bessemer, AL 35022 Northeast Alabama Community College 138 AL-35, Rainsville, AL 35986 Phlebotomy Ink 1512 Centerpoint Pkwy Suite 201 Birmingham, AL, 35215; Phlebotomy Ink 223 North Street West, Talladega, Al 35160 St. Vincent's- Jeremiah's Hope Academy 2800 University Boulevard, Suite 234, Birmingham, Alabama 35233 Wallace State Community College 1141 Wallace Drive，Dothan, AL 36303
Admission, tuition, and program length are known to vary from school to school.
Generally, the course work is split into theory and practice hours.
The tuition at some of the schools includes not only the education you’ll receive but also other needed items, such as:
- Exam fees
- Uniform for the graduation
Some of the schools help graduates with job placement.
While some of these institutions offer only certificates, others offer degrees.
One of them is the Medical Assistant in Phlebotomy degree that can be obtained from the Virginia College in Mobile.
Online classes are available but only if practice hours are also taken.
What’s most important when choosing a program is the number of practice hours as well as the review of others who attended it.
The purpose of training for this occupation is for you to be ready for anything that could happen during your first day on the job.
Phlebotomist Certification in Alabama
While in Alabama you’re not required to be certified for this position, you’re expected to be able to show some credentials when applying for a job.
The best credential is the national certification.
A few institutions are offering national certification for future phlebotomists in Alabama.
These are as follows:
- American Medical Technologists
- American Society for Clinical Pathology
- American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
- National Phlebotomy Association
Regardless of the institution you choose for your diploma, you’ll need to pass a practical exam.
Additionally, you’ll also have to pass a written or oral exam, depending on the association.
You’re also expected to renew your certification.
The renewal period varies from society to society, and it can be anywhere from every year to up to every 10 years.
Furthermore, completing some continuing education classes is expected of you as well.
The National Phlebotomy Association offers several courses, making it easier for some to start their desired career path.
Phlebotomist Salary Information in Alabama
In this state, it’s foreseen a 20% growth in demand for such professionals.
The turnaround is generally high with many seeking other career paths in the healthcare industry after gaining some experience.
In Alabama, a phlebotomist earns on average $33,069 per year.
Generally speaking, the salary is influenced by a series of factors, such as:
- Experience
- Demand and supply
- Location
The average salaries in the state’s largest cities can be seen below.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Phlebotomists in Alabama
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $33,415 |
| Montgomery | $31,350 |
| Huntsville | $33,387 |
| Mobile | $32,670 |
| Tuscaloosa | $33,088 |
| Dothan | $31,181 |
| Auburn | $31,851 |
| Decatur | $32,367 |
| Madison | $33,387 |
| Florence | $30,435 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 830 | $37,910 | $18.23 | $44,790 | $30,970 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 80 | $38,700 | $18.61 | $43,110 | $29,970 |
| Decatur, AL | 60 | $36,240 | $17.42 | $43,350 | $29,970 |
| Dothan, AL | 100 | $33,150 | $15.94 | $40,160 | $23,840 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 80 | $34,490 | $16.58 | $41,910 | $28,870 |
| Huntsville, AL | 270 | $36,290 | $17.45 | $44,620 | $30,690 |
| Mobile, AL | 300 | $36,250 | $17.43 | $42,330 | $29,970 |
| Montgomery, AL | 250 | $35,530 | $17.08 | $43,690 | $29,700 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 110 | $32,580 | $15.66 | $43,850 | $29,780 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Phlebotomists in Alabama
This occupation or training is not only for those who will draw blood from patients.
Registered nurses can become certified in this specialty for a series of reasons.
These include as follows:
- A low number of employees in the facility
- Increased paycheck
- Other job opportunities
Phlebotomy Schools by City
Phlebotomy Schools by CityThis page is also available in Spanish.
