Read on to learn what you need to do to become a phlebotomist in Iowa!
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Phlebotomist Employment and Job Duties in Iowa
One of the first things to know is that most phlebotomists leave this field for another one after they accumulated some experience.
Due to this aspect, it’s easy to find a job and there are also many facilities hiring such professionals:
- Hospital and clinics
- Blood banks
- Labs
- Nursing homes
- Community Health Centers
- Doctor’s Offices
When it comes to tasks and duties you’ll need to complete, they’re almost the same ones no matter where you work.
They involve more than just collecting blood, as you can see below:
- Choosing the correct vials
- Correctly labeling samples
- Organizing and sending off samples to the lab for testing
- Communicating with patients
- Following strict procedures
Requirements to Become a Phlebotomist in Iowa
In Iowa, phlebotomists are overseen by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
There’s no need to have a certification or a license in Iowa, to become a phlebotomist.
Employers do prefer those who received certification.
Additionally, with a certification, you may be allowed to collect blood from arteries or veins as well.
These are other requirements you should meet for employment, besides certification:
- Having a high school diploma or GED
- Having specialized training
- Being detail-oriented
- Having strong communication skills
- Having good listening skills
All these skills are needed because these professionals need to discuss with other employees in the facility and also with the patients.
Phlebotomist Training in Iowa
Generally, the certification is issued to those who undergo specialized training.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory must accredit the training programs for phlebotomists.
The schools in the table below received accreditation and can even be near you!
13 Phlebotomy Schools in Iowa
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | 2006 S Ankeny Blvd Ankeny, IA 50023 |
| Des Moines Area Community College | 1125 Hancock Drive Boone, IA 50036 |
| Des Moines Area Community College | 906 N. Grant Road Carroll, IA 51401 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College | 306 West River Drive Davenport, IA 52801 |
| Indian Hills Community College | 525 Grandview Avenue Ottumwa, IA 52501 |
| Indian Hills Community College | 721 N. First Street Centerville, IA 52544 |
| Iowa Valley Community College District | 3702 South Center Street Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 |
| Iowa Western Community College | 2700 College Blvd. Council Bluffs, IA 51503 |
| Kirkwood Community College | 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | 1625 Hwy 150 South; P.O. Box 400, Calmar, IA 52132; |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | 8342 NICC Drive, Peosta, IA 52068 |
| Saint Luke’s College | 2720 Stone Park Boulevard Sioux City, IA 51104 |
| University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics | 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA 52242 |
As you can expect, you will need to meet some requirements when enrolling.
These may be as follows:
- Recent immunizations
- No criminal history
- No addictions
- High school diploma or GED
Some of the most requested vaccines are the ones against Hepatitis.
The tuition and course duration will set the programs apart the most.
Depending on the school, the tuition can cover one, some, all, or none of the following:
- Lab fees
- Lab supplies
- Liability insurance
- Textbook
- Exam fee
- Graduation uniform
You’ll be expected to attend both theory and practice classes.
The classes will be strictly covering topics related to the phlebotomy field:
- Medical terms
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Safety procedures
- The 40 most common lab tests
- Medical ethics
- Blood collection systems
- Phlebotomist responsibilities
To graduate, you might need to be successful in collecting at least 100 blood samples.
In some of the programs you could earn extra certifications as well:
- CPR
- Performing and interpreting TB tests
The extra certifications will cost extra and you’ll need to meet an additional set of requirements.
Phlebotomist Certification in Iowa
Having the national phlebotomist certificate will increase your hiring chances the most.
The following institutions issue national certifications:
- National Center for Competency Testing
- American Society for Clinical Pathology
- American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
- National Phlebotomy Association
Unless you already accumulated some hands-on experience for this occupation, you’ll have to attend a class.
When the course is completed, you’ll have to attend a two-part exam.
The parts are:
- Practical
- Written or oral
All the institutions require the practical exam, but only some demand passing a written test and the others an oral one.
The national certification has to be renewed according to the rules of each institution.
For instance, the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians wants a yearly renewal.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology wants a certificate renewal after every 10 years.
Phlebotomist Salary Information in Iowa
As you can expect, your salary will depend on a variety of factors:
- The facility you work for
- The number of hours and shifts can differ between facilities
- The city you live and work in
Below you can see the median salaries in Iowa’s largest cities.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Phlebotomists in Iowa
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $34,083 |
| Cedar Rapids | $33,486 |
| Davenport | $33,588 |
| Sioux City | $30,038 |
| Iowa City | $33,210 |
| Waterloo | $32,021 |
| Ames | $33,765 |
| West Des Moines | $34,083 |
| Council Bluffs | $33,367 |
| Ankeny | $34,083 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 60 | $37,710 | $18.13 | $47,450 | $31,830 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 140 | $39,510 | $19 | $47,980 | $36,580 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 210 | $41,610 | $20.01 | $50,400 | $34,070 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 350 | $40,780 | $19.6 | $47,240 | $35,950 |
| Dubuque, IA | 90 | $40,190 | $19.32 | $48,390 | $34,510 |
| Iowa City, IA | 90 | $38,820 | $18.67 | $48,170 | $32,610 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 90 | $39,930 | $19.2 | $46,970 | $35,160 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 110 | $38,590 | $18.55 | $47,740 | $33,780 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Phlebotomists in Indiana
Not everyone who collects blood from a patient is a phlebotomist.
Sometimes nurses are also trained and certified to perform this procedure.
There are varied reasons for this, including job description and the desire for a higher salary.
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