How to Become a Phlebotomist in Wisconsin

Not everyone is aware that phlebotomy is a very important part of the healthcare industry.

However, these technicians hold an entry-level position, thus it’s easy for many people to enter the medical field.

Read on if you’re curious to learn more about the process of becoming a phlebotomist in Wisconsin!

Phlebotomist Employment and Job Duties in Wisconsin

To test blood or to transfuse it to others, the help of a phlebotomist is needed.

They can be seen in the following facilities:

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

Their duties are very similar across all these health institutions.

Generally, the tasks and duties are:

• 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 Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, like in most other states, you don’t need to be certified to become a phlebotomist, however, in practice, you’ll notice this may not be the case.

Most employers across Wisconsin will not hire someone without certification.

The majority of employers also ask for:

• 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

This list can be different between facilities.

Phlebotomist Training in Wisconsin

Proper training is mandatory to earn your credentials.

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) needs to have accredited the program.

Many programs have a duration of at least:

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

It’s not uncommon to be asked to meet a series of enrollment 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

Of course, it’s possible to have some schools request additional documents and skills, so check those up in advance.

Different schools issue different credentials, such as:

• Certificate of completion
• National certification
• Associate’s degree

Like with the credentials and requirements, there are further differences between these schools.

For instance, some of them might have higher tuition.

In this case, you may not need to worry about paying for:

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

Some of the subjects you’ll study are:

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

You can expect a series of other courses to be available as well, through which you could obtain additional certificates and diplomas.

For instance, the CPR certificate is often offered to phlebotomy students, albeit for an extra fee.

To graduate, you’ll usually have to:

• Complete an internship
• Be successful in drawing blood 100 times from a vein
• Be successful in drawing blood from the finger 5 times

Phlebotomist Certification in Wisconsin

The national certificate is available through these agencies:

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

Some of the schools you can enroll at for this certificate are:

• Western Technical College
• Waukesha County Technical College
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• Northcentral Technical College

Those who want to become nationally certified have to pass the exam.

The exam has a practical part on top of the written or oral part.

Once you get certified, you have to get informed on the renewal process.

All the agencies expect you to continue your education every year for renewal.

The renewal period varies between the agencies.

The shortest renewal period is of one year.

Phlebotomist Salary Information in Wisconsin

As you can expect, if you just entered the phlebotomy field, your salary will be lower than that of your colleagues.

If you have additional certifications and you have worked in certain facilities, you can expect your salary to be higher, even if you just started working.

Below you can see the median salary you could get in Wisconsin’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 Wisconsin

Most nurses and even other medical personnel will usually have a certification in phlebotomy.

This credential will open more doors to better career prospects and they can also earn more.

Phlebotomy Schools by City

• Madison3 Schools
• Milwaukee5 Schools

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