How to Become a Phlebotomist in Arizona

There is a strong demand for phlebotomists in Arizona, therefore, this can be a good job for those who are not scared of needles or blood.

Read on if you want to know what you need to do to become a phlebotomist in Arizona!

Phlebotomist Employment and Job Duties in Arizona

One of the first things to know about this occupation is that not everyone turns it into a career.

This means that the majority of phlebotomists will eventually leave this field for other fields in the healthcare industry.

When seeking a job, you can start with any of the next types of facilities:

• Hospital and clinics
• Blood banks
• Labs
• Nursing homes
• Community health centers
• Doctor’s offices
• Other health care facilities

The main task of a phlebotomist is to collect blood samples.

However, their employers will assign and expect them to complete a few other tasks and duties, usually mentioned in the job’s description.

Here are some of the most common tasks of this specialist: 

• Venipunctures
• Choosing the correct vials
• Correctly labeling samples
• Organizing and sending off samples to the lab for testing
• Communicating with patients
• Calming patients down
• Explaining procedures
• Following strict safety measures

Usually, hospitals, as well as a number of other healthcare facilities, are open 24/7.

This will not only influence your working hours but also your duties.

Requirements to Become a Phlebotomist in Arizona

Arizona is one of the several states in which a national certification is needed for a future phlebotomist.

The certification is obtained after passing an exam.

As a candidate for this position, you’ll also need to earn at least an associate’s degree, if not a bachelor’s.

Strong communication and listening skills will make you an even stronger candidate.

These abilities will help you better complete your duties of speaking to and calming patients down.

Additionally, you should be able to find out if the patient has any medical issues that could become worse when drawing blood.

Being detail-oriented is crucial when performing venipunctures.

The profession is overseen by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Phlebotomist Training in Arizona

To be accepted in a training program for phlebotomists, you’ll usually need a high school diploma, though a GED is accepted as well.

Arizona has many schools and training centers offering such programs.

When choosing, pay attention to see if it received accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory.

Not all the courses have the same duration, though it generally depends on the type of credential you want.

At the end of the program, you need to pass an exam.

Diplomas are issued only to those who have a clean criminal record.

Below you can see the schools in Arizona offering a course in phlebotomy.

Depending on the school, you’ll have to meet different enrollment requirements.

For instance, GateWay Community College doesn’t accept students who are younger than 17 years and a half.  

The training for this profession is split into two:

• Theory classes
• Practice classes

There are a variety of subjects you’ll be studying:

• Medical terms
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Safety procedures
• The 40 most common lab tests

You should know that some of the courses require 120 successful collections for graduation.

Sometimes, the tuition covers everything you could need at school:

• Exam fees
• Uniform for the graduation

Most of the schools help their students with internships and even job placement.

Depending on the type of career path you want, you can choose to obtain a degree like an associate’s in the field.

What you need to know is that unexpected situations can happen on your first day at work.

The training will help you deal with the problem in the best way possible.

Phlebotomist Certification in Arizona

Residents of Arizona need to be certified to work as phlebotomists.

The following institutions issue national certification:

• American Medical Technologists
• American Society for Clinical Pathology
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
• National Phlebotomy Association

Some of them even have more programs to choose from for this occupation.

National certification also requires passing an exam.

The test usually has two parts:

• Practical
• Written or oral

The national certification must be renewed.

Each institution offering this credential will have different renewal periods.

The shortest period is 1 year at the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians.

The certificate from the American Society for Clinical Pathology has to be renewed after every 10 years.

Phlebotomist Salary Information in Arizona

In Arizona, there is a growing demand for medical personnel trained in collecting blood.

This is also a good field to start your medical career in.

As you can expect, your salary is influenced by:

• Experience
• Demand and supply
• Location

If you want to know which are the average salaries in the largest cities across Arizona, look no further.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Phlebotomists, OCC 31-9097, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information for Phlebotomists in Arizona

It’s not only phlebotomists who need to know the proper procedures for drawing blood.

Other medical personnel, such as nurses, also have to learn this procedure at times.

Nurses may have to learn this because of:

• A low number of employees in the facility
• A higher paycheck
• Other job opportunities

Phlebotomy Schools by City

• Phoenix4 Schools
• Tucson3 Schools

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