Please Note: Phlebotomy programs and phlebotomist technician programs are essentially interchangeable titles for the same areas of study. For simplicity, we will use the term ‘phlebotomy programs’ to cover both titles.
You will find approved phlebotomy programs near you at vocational schools, community colleges, and private colleges throughout the USA.
Not all Phlebotomy Programs are created equally. Do your research to find a state-approved school that is convenient to your location and fits with your financial circumstances
Phlebotomy Programs Near You
Phlebotomy training will require you to attend in person for clinical practice, which forms an important part of any phlebotomy program.
You will find approved phlebotomy training programs at vocational schools, community colleges, and private colleges throughout the USA. Find a program near you by selecting your state from the list below.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Choosing a Phlebotomy Program
- State Requirements: As a first step it is important to check your state’s requirements for phlebotomists. Is it a must that you attend a phlebotomy training program? Does your state have a list of approved schools? Is certification required?
- Accreditation: Not all phlebotomy programs are created equally. Do your research to find a school that has been accredited or state approved.
- Location: Whilst a large proportion of a phlebotomy program can be delivered online, the nature of phlebotomy training will also require that you attend in person for clinical practice. Narrow your search area to a location that is convenient for you.
- Delivery: What proportion of the program is delivered online and in-person? Are there options for part-time, evening, or even accelerated learning?
- Costs: The cost of a phlebotomy program can vary significantly. Do your research to find a program that fits within your financial means and thoroughly investigate all financial assistance available to you.
- Facilities: What facilities does the school provide to assist you in your studies? Do they have excellent lab facilities? Will you practice venipuncture on real people or mannequins? Are all course materials readily available online to support distance learning?
- Certification and Job placement: What percentage of program participants graduate? Does the school assist you towards achieving certification? Do they help you with finding employment as a phlebotomist?
Accredited Programs
Most employers will give preference to candidates who have studied at an accredited school so it is important that you ensure that the program you choose to attend is accredited by one of the major national phlebotomy accrediting agencies. If you cannot find an accredited program in your state, consider enrolling in an online program that is accredited.
The National Phlebotomy Association (NPA) and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) are two of the most widely recognized national accrediting agencies for phlebotomists in the USA. The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) also offer accreditation for phlebotomy schools.
Phlebotomy Classes and Curriculum
Phlebotomy requires a combination of in-depth clinical and laboratory skills, detailed medical knowledge, and excellent organization and people skills. Most programs will cover the following:
- Safety: Handling infectious fluids, infectious disease control, and disease prevention techniques
- Human anatomy: Emphasis on veins, arteries, and circulatory system
- Venipuncture techniques: Learn how to draw blood from patients and donors
- Record keeping and organization: How to verify a patients identity, labeling and record-keeping, and database management
- Customer service: Techniques to help put patients at ease during procedures
Related Content: