Career Path of a Phlebotomist
A career in phlebotomy is exciting and rewarding in many levels. Unlike other jobs in the healthcare industry, however, a phlebotomy technician earns less than a nurse and even lesser than a doctor. This is why the phlebotomy department experiences some of the fastest turnover, unless of course, an individual trains and studies further. Doing so is the only way to advance in a career in phlebotomy.
Some phlebotomy technicians become lead phlebotomists, supervisors or even start their own laboratory or blood testing center. How far they go in their career path depends on the level of experience and certification they have received. Others, however, veer off to a different career path altogether. What this shows is that starting off as a phlebotomist is promising, even if the pay is low. This is because job opportunities are quite wide and varied.
Phlebotomy Career Paths
- Phlebotomy Specialist
As the name suggests, an individual must earn a specialized certificate to become a phlebotomy specialist. Depending on the certification earned, a phlebotomist can become a collections phlebotomy specialist, registered phlebotomy specialist or patient service technician specialist.
- Collections Phlebotomy Specialist
The job responsibilities are basically the same, except that collection is done both on and off-site, depending on the agreement made with the company. Apart from venipuncture and capillary puncture, blood screening and caring for donors may also be involved. Specimen for drug testing may also be part of the job of a collections phlebotomy specialist.
- Registered Phlebotomy Specialist
A registered phlebotomy specialist is responsible for collecting quality samples to obtain the best quality laboratory results. What makes it different from a regular phlebotomist is the academic and certification requirement. Generally, a specialist must have the knowledge to conduct procedures according to the national standards of the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute.
- Patient Service Technician Specialist
This job role focuses more on patient care and interaction, although phlebotomy procedures are still involved. Most specialists are provided with the tools to accurately collect and record patients’ data, as well as perform clerical duties.
There are other specializations a phlebotomist can venture into, but they must undergo additional training. Several years experience in the related field is also an advantage and, in some cases, a must.
- Donor Phlebotomy Technician
The difference between a phlebotomy technician and a certified donor phlebotomy technician is that the latter is employable in other facilities that collect units of blood from various donors, including blood banks. Most of the specimen collected is tested for safety and then stored until a patient needs it. Part of their job description is to ensure a smooth and efficient donor flow, and to determine the acceptability of a donor before performing phlebotomy. The job may also involve working in mobile units to collect blood. Although the role is more extensive, the pay is a lot higher than what regular phlebotomists earn.
To become a donor phlebotomy technician, the aspiring candidate must complete at least 25 donor collections, all of which are well-documented. These must be accompanied with a Letter of Authenticity from the company or the immediate supervisor.
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
In 2011, medical laboratory technician is voted as one of top 50 career choices, and has been in high demand for a long time. Since one of the job responsibilities is related to hematology, it is an easy step to take from phlebotomy. It is also a stepping stone to becoming a medical technologist (MT). Apart from collecting blood specimen, tasks extend to toxicology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology and blood banking.
Considering all these, becoming an MLT is not that easy or cheap. An aspiring phlebotomist must first complete at least an Associate’s degree program from a community college, university, technical school or vocational school that may run up to 2 years. Usually, the cost to complete a 2-year MLT course is around $15,000, which will be worth it once you start working. The starting annual salary for a certified MLT, after all, is approximately $27,000. Not bad, eh? If an MLT upgrades to MT, the salary will also increase by $3,000 or more.
Nurse
Since a phlebotomist is already well-versed in patient care with a slight advantage in the blood collection department, he can study and train to become a nurse. The job description might not be as tightly related, but it is an opportunity nonetheless. A full-time phlebotomist can juggle between work and studies by taking evening, online or hybrid courses. Some of the academic options include a diploma from an accredited nursing program, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Similar to MLT, acquiring a bachelor’s degree requires a significant amount of money, with costs starting from $20,000. Once you graduate, you need to become licensed before you can start working. You must first pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination to become a Registered Nurse.
Aside from these, a phlebotomist can train in other medical fields, including a physician’s assistant, medical assistant, and even a radiologist. A really off-the-path career choice is marketing. A candidate can sell medical supplies or lab equipment, or become a sales rep.
Wrapping up
While being a phlebotomist can start anyone off to other amazing job opportunities, aspiring individuals must avoid career progression mistakes. It is so easy to want to achieve something, but fail to see the hard work and demands involved. This is why applicants must remember the following:
- Don’t just look at the potential advancement, but the ease of obtaining a job. Becoming a phlebotomist is one thing, but becoming a nurse is another. Switching careers should not be taken lightly.
- Always choose a career that you will love. It’s a huge mistake to become a specialist or a medical assistant simply because everyone else is doing it and they are gushing about the job. There really is nothing wrong with just sticking to phlebotomy. Work to become a lead phlebotomist or a supervisor instead.
- Set clear strategies on how to move up a career path. Working and training at the same time is no easy feat, which is why a plan must be established as to how you intend to achieve your goals. If the career switch you have in mind is less feasible, consider doing something else.
- Consider the job activities and environment. Working as a phlebotomy technician is not without risks. Upgrading to jobs with more work involved, however, may also mean an increase in occupational hazards.
Becoming a phlebotomist has its share of pros and cons, especially in the salary department. Fortunately, there are career options that you can venture into to earn more and learn more. Just remember to choose which job role you will take before you take the plunge.
