Their role is to use various needles to collect blood for testing.
If you want to know what it takes to become a phlebotomist in Rhode Island, then read on!
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Phlebotomist Employment and Job Duties in Rhode Island
So you already have a general idea of what you need to do as a phlebotomist, but where can you find a job?
The places hiring such technicians are:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Blood banks
- Labs
- Nursing homes
- Community health centers
- Other medical facilities
Your duty is not only to collect blood.
Most of your job duties and responsibilities are laid out in the position’s description.
They generally include:
- 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
Some of the facilities might require you to work evening and weekend shifts as well.
Besides the number of shifts and hours in a shift, there aren’t many other differences in the duties and tasks you’ll have to complete.
Requirements to Become a Phlebotomist in Rhode Island
Individuals who want to become phlebotomists in Rhode Island don’t need to hold a certification or a license.
Yet, these credentials will improve your chances of landing a better paying job or getting hired at the facility you want to work at the most.
Phlebotomists are also required to have:
- 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
Some of the employers can ask for more skills than the ones mentioned here.
Phlebotomist Training in Rhode Island
Future phlebotomists are recommended to undergo proper training.
This way, they can ensure the accuracy of the test results as well as the safety of the patients.
The programs designed for this occupation need to be approved.
Before you go search for a program, make sure you meet the basic requirements for enrolling:
- 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
Every school is different and some may want you to have a certification for CPR.
If this is not the case with the institution you chose, you could be offered the possibility of attending a CPR course while enrolled.
Speaking of chosen school, below are the options for those living in Rhode Island.
6 Phlebotomy Schools in Rhode Island
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| 911 Programs | 555 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI |
| Community College of Rhode Island | 1762 Louisquisset Pike, Lincoln, RI 02865 |
| Community College of Rhode Island | 400 East Avenue Warwick, Rhode Island 02886-1807 |
| Community College of Rhode Island | 1 Hilton Street, Providence, RI 02905 |
| Cranston Adult Education Programs | 4 Sharpe Drive, Cranston, RI 02920 |
| Sanford-Brown Institute | 85 Garfield Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 |
The duration of the course and the tuition is what sets these schools apart.
Generally, higher tuitions mean you won’t have to worry about:
- The fees for the exam
- The uniform for the graduation
- Lab tools
- Textbooks
Most phlebotomy programs have similar coursework, covering topics such as:
- Medical terms
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Safety procedures
- The 40 most common lab tests
- Pediatrics
- Needle or syringe draws
- Butterfly needles
Don’t expect the graduation process to be easy.
You’ll have to attend:
- Classroom education
- Laboratory classes
- An internship
Additionally, you’ll have to also prove you can collect blood unaided, at least 100 times.
Phlebotomist Certification in Rhode Island
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.
For the certification, students have to pass the exam in 2 phases, a written and a practical one.
Some of the agencies require an oral exam instead of the written one.
All the agencies mandate that the certification as a phlebotomist has to be renewed.
The difference is that not all of them have the same renewal period, but all require the completion of some continuing education classes.
Phlebotomist Salary Information in Rhode Island
Some individuals need to know how much they’ll earn in each city once they get hired if they’re certified.
The table below gives information related to the median salary in the state’s largest cities.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Phlebotomists in Rhode Island
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Providence | $37,057 |
| Cranston | $37,057 |
| Warwick | $37,057 |
| Pawtucket | $37,057 |
| East Providence | $37,057 |
| Woonsocket | $37,021 |
| Cumberland | $37,057 |
| Coventry | $36,986 |
| North Providence | $37,057 |
| Johnston | $37,057 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 670 | $43,990 | $21.15 | $51,700 | $34,100 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Phlebotomists in Rhode Island
As already mentioned, other personnel in the medical field can also be certified to collect blood.
The more certifications in the medical field a person has, the better their career options are.
Phlebotomy Schools by City
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