How to Become a Phlebotomist in Pennsylvania

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The majority of medical staff start their careers as phlebotomists.

If you also want to become a phlebotomist in Pennsylvania, you came to the right place!

This article will explain the steps you need to follow to reach your dreams!

Phlebotomist Employment and Job Duties in Pennsylvania

You may have a general idea of what this occupation is all about, however, a few more details can be useful.

Phlebotomists are seen in places such as:

  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Blood banks
  • Labs
  • Nursing homes
  • Community Health Centers
  • Doctor’s Offices

These technicians are responsible for drawing blood from people, according to strict rules.

They also have to complete a series of other tasks that rarely differ between facilities.

The tasks are:

  • Selecting the correct vials
  • Placing the correct labels on blood samples
  • Organizing and sending off samples to the lab for testing
  • Communicating with and comforting patients
  • Ensuring the safety of the patients

It’s common to see all the job’s duties in the description of the position.

Requirements to Become a Phlebotomist in Pennsylvania

In this state, legally, you don’t need a certification to work as a phlebotomist.

However, it will be extremely difficult to get hired for this position without it.

For a phlebotomist position, you’ll also need:

  • A high school diploma or GED
  • A clean criminal record
  • Strong communication skills
  • Good listening skills
  • Being detail-oriented
  • Being able to wok in a team
  • Having CPR certification

Different employers might ask for a different set of skills and documents, so be prepared.

Phlebotomist Training in Pennsylvania

To earn the phlebotomist certificate in Pennsylvania, you’ll have to attend a training course.

The training course has to be approved so that the credential you earn will be of any use when searching for a job.

You should know that a series of the programs available cater to other medical specialists but have phlebotomy classes as well.

You should give the idea of enrolling if you don’t meet the next requirements:

  • At least 18 years old
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Recent immunizations
  • Pass a background check
  • Basic computer skills
  • Strong English skills – reading, writing, speaking
  • Having insurance
  • Having a driver’s license

Some schools also ask for a CPR certification before enrolling.

Other schools offer this credential as part of the curriculum or as an extra course and certification.

You can see below the institutions that offer a training program in phlebotomy in Pennsylvania.

31 Phlebotomy Schools in Pennsylvania

School NameAddress
Bucks Community College275 Swamp Road, Newton, PA 18940
Butler County Community College107 College Dr, Butler, PA 16002
Community College of Allegheny County800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Community College of Beaver County1 Campus Drive, Monaca, PA 15061
Community College of Beaver County125 Cessna Drive, Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Community College of Philadelphia1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Delaware County Community College901 S. Media Line Rd, Media, PA 19063
Fortis Institute166 Slocum Street, Forty Fort, PA 18704
Fortis Institute517 Ash Street, Scranton, PA 18509
Harcum College750 Montgomery Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3476
Harrisburg Area Community College1 HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Harrisburg Area Community College1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602,
Harrisburg Area Community College735 Cumberland St, Lebanon, PA 17042,
Harrisburg Area Community College731 Old Harrisburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Institute of Medical and Business Careers (IMBC)5739 W 26th Street Erie, PA 16506;
Institute of Medical and Business Careers (IMBC)133 Jefferson Road Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Lackawanna College501 Vine Street, Scranton, PA 18509
McCann School of Business & Technology2200 N Irving Street, Allentown, PA 18109
McCann School of Business & Technology346 York Rd, Carlisle, PA 17013
McCann School of Business & Technology2227 Scranton Carbondale HWY, Dickson City, PA 18519
McCann School of Business & Technology370 Maplewood Drive, Hazle Twp, PA 18202
McCann School of Business & Technology2650 Woodglen Road, Pottsville, PA 17901
McCann School of Business & Technology1147 N 4th Street, Sunbury, PA 17801
McCann School of Business & Technology264 Highland Park Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Montgomery County Community College340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422
Montgomery County Community College101 College Drive, Pottstown, PA 19464
Phlebotomy Institute of Central PA125 Puddintown Road, State College, PA 16803
Phlebotomy Training Center100 Lytton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phlebotomy Training Center5839 Nicholson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Reading Area Community College10 South Second Street, Reading, PA 19603
Venango College - Clarion University840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214

One of the first things to notice is the difference in tuition and course duration.

Higher tuition can also cover:

  • The fees for the exam
  • The uniform for the graduation
  • Lab tools
  • Textbooks

A phlebotomy specific program will have a course work similar to this:

  • Medical terms
  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Safety procedures
  • The 40 most common lab tests
  • Pediatrics,
  • Needle or syringe draws
  • Butterfly needles

Meeting the enrollment requirements can be rather easy, but meeting the graduation requirements can be difficult.

You’ll be expected to attend:

  • Classroom education
  • Laboratory classes
  • An internship

For instance, the Butler County Community College expects students to attend 100 clinical hours in 3 months.

Through the Community College of Allegheny County, you can earn the national phlebotomy certificate.

Phlebotomist Certification in Pennsylvania

The nationally recognized phlebotomist certificate will open most doors when it comes to employment.

This credential is available through these agencies:

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

Generally, candidates need to attend a training program as described above.

Not all the schools mentioned earlier offer the possibility of earning the national phlebotomy certification.

To get certified, individuals must pass the exam in 2 phases:

  • Written or oral
  • Practical

Each agency decides which exam must the candidates pass.

Once certified, you’ll have to continue your education to renew the certification.

Again, each agency had different rules related to this aspect.

Phlebotomist Salary Information in Pennsylvania

Once you get hired as a phlebotomist in Pennsylvania, expect to earn on average, $35,222 per year.

Many factors are affecting your paycheck, and your location is one of them.

Annual Salary Range:
$28K
$35K
$43K

Average Salary of Phlebotomists in Pennsylvania

City NameSalary
Philadelphia$37,805
Pittsburgh$34,763
Allentown$35,568
Erie$32,600
Reading$35,108
Upper Darby$37,805
Scranton$32,575
Bensalem$38,118
Lancaster$34,576
Abington$37,777
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ420$41,600$20$46,750$36,380
Altoona, PA40$35,040$16.85$46,070$27,550
Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA110$38,100$18.32$46,420$32,430
Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA40$43,380$20.86$50,810$35,960
East Stroudsburg, PA50$39,390$18.94$45,270$36,350
Erie, PA170$36,910$17.75$44,390$32,480
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA270$39,790$19.13$45,340$36,460
Johnstown, PA50$34,750$16.71$42,070$26,540
Lancaster, PA150$39,030$18.77$44,310$34,260
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD2,310$43,660$20.99$50,870$36,850
Pittsburgh, PA820$39,990$19.23$46,440$33,430
Reading, PA140$40,140$19.3$45,360$32,100
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA260$38,290$18.41$45,550$32,340
State College, PA40$36,320$17.46$38,430$31,350
Williamsport, PA60$37,080$17.83$38,990$34,990
York-Hanover, PA160$38,520$18.52$44,200$35,850
* 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 Pennsylvania

Not all phlebotomists spend all their medical careers in this position.

Many nurses and EKG technicians choose to become phlebotomists to increase their duties and responsibilities as well as to earn more.

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