How to Become a Phlebotomist in West Virginia

Despite it being an entry-level position, the job of a phlebotomist is a very important one in the medical field.

If you live in West Virginia and you’d like to work as a phlebotomist, this article is for you!

Read on to find out what it takes to become a phlebotomist in this state and what is the salary you could earn!

Phlebotomist Employment and Job Duties in West Virginia

Phlebotomists are technicians trained to use needles and a variety of methods, to collect blood.

The blood can be used for testing, either as part of research or medical investigations or for transfusions.

Phlebotomists work in the following facilities:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Blood banks
• Laboratories
• Nursing homes
• Community health centers

Most facilities expect these technicians to complete the same tasks, with only a few variations.

Only when evening shifts are involved, the duties might be expanded.

Here are the major duties expected of these professionals:

• Selecting the correct vials
• Placing the correct labels on blood samples,
• Organizing and sending off samples
• Communicating with and comforting the patients
• Ensuring the safety of the patients
• Ensuring the cleanliness of the workplace

Requirements to Become a Phlebotomist in West Virginia

Future phlebotomists from West Virginia don’t need to hold a certification for this position.

Employers will be more willing to hire someone with a certificate, though, so obtaining one is important.

Most facilities hiring such technicians also want:

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

Depending on where you apply for a job, the list of requirements can be different.

Phlebotomist Training in West Virginia

You cannot get certified in West Virginia without attending a training program first.

You need to find a program with accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Most programs last for at least:

• 42 hours in theory classes
• 120 hours in practice hours

To enroll in such programs, you will have to meet the following criteria:

• 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

Each school may change the requirements, so verify this before signing up.

Sometimes, vaccinations, background checks, and drug tests are needed before the practice hours.

Below you can have a look at the schools with phlebotomy programs in West Virginia.

You might want to enroll at the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College because of the reduced number of students in a class.

You can earn different types of diplomas, including degrees.

These will influence the duration of the program.

Some of the schools may offer both an Associate’s degree as well as a phlebotomy certificate.

It’s also possible to be offered the possibility of earning other credentials as well, while enrolled.

One of these is the CPR certificate.

When the tuition is higher, you could have the following included:

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

Expect to study:

• Medical terms
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• WV State regulations affecting phlebotomy
• The 40 most common lab tests
• Pediatrics,
• Needle or syringe draws
• Butterfly needles

Each school also has requirements for you to complete before graduating, such as:

• Completing an internship
• Being successful at drawing blood 100 times from a vein
• Being successful at drawing blood from the finger 5 times

Phlebotomist Certification in West Virginia

Employers prefer the national certification in the states where credentials are not needed for phlebotomists.

This certificate can be obtained from one of these agencies:

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

In most cases, you can get this credential through the school you attended.

It is generally issued to those passing an exam and on top of the certificate of completion issued by the school.

The exam has 2 parts, and the practical part is common to all agencies.

Phlebotomist Salary Information in West Virginia

Do you want to know how much you can earn as a phlebotomist in West Virginia?

The table below gives the estimates for the state’s largest urban areas.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Phlebotomists, OCC 31-9097, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information for Phlebotomists in West Virginia

It’s very common for other medical staff to get a certification in phlebotomy.

This increases their career prospects and helps them earn more.

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