A phlebotomist is one of the most in-demand jobs at major healthcare employers in Kansas City and the surrounding area. National job growth in this field from 2021-2031 is projected to grow 10 percent, faster than the average for all occupations.

A recent review of phlebotomist jobs advertised by local healthcare employers offer the equivalent of up to $41,000-58,000 in annual wages. That range is well above the 2021 national median of $37,380 in annual wages for the role.

Let’s look at what a phlebotomist does, the steps to take to earn certification through UMKC TalentLink’s online healthcare training partner MedCerts, and the job outlook for the industry.

What Does a Phlebotomist Do? 

Phlebotomists are medical professionals who draw blood and collect other samples for testing or donation. Samples are sent to a medical lab for analysis. Physicians use the results to diagnose conditions such as chronic disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes that impact the health of many Americans.

Samples are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of medications, and determine whether a patient is receiving proper nutrition. Phlebotomists may also collect blood for blood drives or for blood donation centers.

Phlebotomists communicate with patients and donors to put them at ease about having their blood drawn, which takes a considerable amount of patience and compassion. Being detail-oriented is an important trait. A phlebotomist verifies patient identity, ensures proper labeling of specimens, and enters information into the healthcare facility’s recordkeeping system.

Phlebotomists work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, outpatient care facilities, blood donation centers, and laboratories.

How Do I Become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician?

• Complete an Accredited Phlebotomist Technician Certification Training Program
  You can complete the MedCerts online certification training program in 12 weeks. The MedCerts program includes interactive simulations, interviews with real world experts, game-based learning and more to meet the needs of every type of learner.
• Take and Pass the CPT Exam
• Complete Your Clinical Experience Requirements
  Once you pass the exam, you must complete clinical experience requirements, which include 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks on a live person, within 180 days to be fully certified. MedCerts helps students with placement where they can complete these requirements within the allotted time frame.
• Submit Documentation to the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to Receive Your CPT
  After you pass the certification exam and complete the clinical experience requirements listed above, you simply submit documentation to the NHA. 

How Much Does the MedCerts Phlebotomy Certificate Training Program Cost? 

Tuition is $2,000 and includes expert-led online video-based learning, e-book, assessments, and the National Certification exam fee. A monthly payment plan is also available.

What Certifications Do I Need to Become a Phlebotomist?

MedCerts offers four CPT certification programs for aspiring medical professionals. The NHA, one of the USA’s biggest allied health certification providers, issues all of MedCerts’ certifications.  

Tell Me About High-Paying Phlebotomist Jobs

With certification and experience, a phlebotomist can progress to higher-paying roles. The national average salary for a laboratory phlebotomist is $54 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.

A phlebotomy supervisor can earn $50,000-$60,000 per year, where you monitor activity in the laboratory, schedule staff, organize inventory supplies and equipment, and liaise with other professionals in the clinic, donation center, or hospital.

A traveling phlebotomist earning  $38,000-$59,500 per year will make visits to facilities with patients who need blood drawn, such as nursing homes. They may also travel as part of a blood drive. 

Certified phlebotomists can earn $35,000-$46,500 per year. They must meet specific criteria and pass a certification exam. Earning certification increases the opportunity for hiring because these phlebotomists tend to have more training and experience.

How Do I Get Started?

Request more information from UMKC TalentLink’s healthcare training partner MedCerts about the Phlebotomist Certification Training Program. A MedCerts representative will contact you to share program information and answer your questions.