So, read on in order to learn how to become a phlebotomist in Arkansas.
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Phlebotomist Employment and Job Duties
In Arkansas phlebotomists are popular, so finding a job in this industry will be easy.
There are many facilities hiring such professionals:
- Hospital and clinics
- Blood banks
- Labs
- Nursing homes
- Community Health Centers
- Doctor’s Offices
- Other Health Care Facilities
During your daily tasks, you will have to draw blood from people and also complete other tasks.
Some of these tasks include:
- Venipunctures
- Choosing the correct vials
- Correctly labeling samples
- Organizing and sending off samples to the lab for testing
- Communicating with patients
- Following strict procedures
You should know that some facilities might need phlebotomists present, around the clock.
This will definitely influence your work schedule.
Requirements to Become a Phlebotomist in Arkansas
In this state, there are no particular requirements you need to adhere to.
This profession is managed by the Arkansas Department of Health and Social Services.
However, it is strongly suggested you train as you can find a job much easier this way.
Generally, for this position you will need to present:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Specialized training
- Strong communication skills
- Good listening skills
Some of these abilities are needed to explain procedures to patients or to try to calm them down when they show signs of anxiety.
To prevent certain accidents, the phlebotomist should ask the patient about any particular health problem.
Phlebotomist Training in Arkansas
After you deliver the required paperwork, you need to find a training program.
When looking for a program, choose one that has accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory.
Expect at least 3 weeks and a maximum of 6 months in training to get a phlebotomist certification.
The classes will finish with an exam which you need to pass to become certified.
In this state, those without a clean criminal record will not receive diplomas.
You can check out the schools below when searching for a program.
17 Phlebotomy Schools in Arkansas
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Arkansas College Of Health Careers | 9714 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205 |
| Arkansas Northeastern College | 2501 South Division Street, Blytheville, Arkansas 72351 |
| Arkansas State University | 1600 South College Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653 |
| Arkansas State University | 5504 Krueger Dr, Jonesboro, AR 72401 |
| Arkansas Tech University | 1700 Helberg Lane, Ozark, AR 72949 |
| Black River Technical College | P.O. Box 468, 1410 Highway 304 East, Pocahontas, AR 72455 |
| Black River Technical College | 1 Black River Drive, Paragould, AR 72450 |
| North Arkansas College | 1515 Pioneer Drive, Harrison, AR 72601 |
| Petra Allied Health | 3889 Willowood Ave., Springdale, AR 72762; |
| Petra Allied Health | Greenpointe Center, 4300 Rogers Ave, Suite 42, Ft. Smith, AR 72903 |
| Phillips Community College | 1210 Rice Belt, DeWitt, AR 72042; |
| Phillips Community College | 1000 Campus Drive; P.O. Box 785, Helena-West Helena, AR 72342; |
| Phillips Community College | 2807 Hwy. 165 South, Stuttgart, AR 72160 |
| Southeast Arkansas College | 1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 |
| South Arkansas Community College | 300 South West Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730; |
| South Arkansas Community College | 3696 East Main Street, El Dorado, AR 71730 |
| University of Arkansas | 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701 |
Each institution will have its own admission requirements, tuition, and course length.
The training for this profession must be split in two parts:
- Theory classes
- Practice classes
Besides learning how to properly draw blood, you will also study:
- Medical terms
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Safety procedures
- The 40 most common lab tests
There will probably be more practice hours than theory hours.
At some schools, the tuition also covers:
- Exam fees
- Uniform for the graduation
Most training schools also help with job placement, if you need it.
Some of these institutions offer certificates upon completion of the course, while others provide degrees.
Phlebotomist Certification in Arkansas
Many clinics, hospitals, and other facilities will only hire certified candidates.
The best certification to get is the national one.
There are several institutions providing this certificate:
- American Medical Technologists
- American Society for Clinical Pathology
- American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
- National Phlebotomy Association
At the National Phlebotomy Association, you can choose from several courses for more career paths.
No matter where you get the diploma from, you need to take an exam.
The exam is usually split into two sections:
- Practical
- Written or oral
This certification has to be renewed after 1, 3, or 10 years.
The period is chosen based on the entity that releases the certificate.
The renewal of the credential involves finishing some continuing education classes.
Phlebotomist Salary Information in Arkansas
The demand for phlebotomists is high in Arkansas.
In Arkansas, a phlebotomist earns on average $32,549 per year.
The salary is also influenced by:
- Experience
- Demand and supply
- Location
The table below shows the average salaries in the state’s largest cities.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Phlebotomists in Arkansas
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | $32,661 |
| Fort Smith | $30,828 |
| Fayetteville | $32,117 |
| Springdale | $32,117 |
| Jonesboro | $32,459 |
| North Little Rock | $32,661 |
| Conway | $32,343 |
| Rogers | $31,926 |
| Bentonville | $31,863 |
| Pine Bluff | $31,587 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 170 | $38,930 | $18.72 | $47,040 | $33,890 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 90 | $34,360 | $16.52 | $39,060 | $29,900 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 80 | $37,990 | $18.27 | $47,440 | $33,280 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 400 | $37,760 | $18.16 | $42,780 | $31,890 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Phlebotomists in Arkansas
There are other medical personnel who have to learn how to collect blood.
For instance, a large number of registered nurses need to learn this procedure.
These are some of the reasons for becoming qualified in phlebotomy:
- Few employees in the facility
- A better salary
- Increased job opportunities
Phlebotomy Schools by City
Phlebotomy Schools by CityThis page is also available in Spanish.
