From Phlebotomy to Something Else: Your Options for Career Advancements
When it comes to healthcare professions, not many may consider phlebotomy as a first career choice, what with it being lower earning compared to being a nurse, surgery tech or doctor. However, if you study and work as a phlebotomist and choose to study further, you actually have plenty of career options for advancement. This could mean higher pay and more flexibility, especially if you start your own clinic or facility.
What are your advancement opportunities as a phlebotomy?
Similar Phlebotomist Professions Explained
Phlebotomy specialist
The term refers to any of the phlebotomists who earned specialized certification in Collections Phlebotomy Specialist, Patient Service Technician Specialist, Registered Phlebotomy Specialists, and many others. Unlike regular phlebotomy, a specialist specializes in a particular type of practice. You’re going to need additional training and several years of experience in the field to earn a certification and become a specialist.
Donor phlebotomy technician (DPT)
This option is open to certified phlebotomists who want to work in blood collection centers. After 5 years of work experience in the field, you could earn almost $50,000 a year as a DPT.
Reaching this career level, however, requires more than just additional training. You need to complete an acceptable donor phlebotomy training program, which is only available for those who have a high school diploma or GED. You also need to, at least, complete 25 donor collections, document them properly, and then submit to your immediate supervisor. The completed documentation form must be accompanied with a Letter of Authenticity from your immediate supervisor or laboratory management.
Medical assistant
As one of the largest growing careers in the nation, moving up from being a phlebotomy technician to a medical assistant is the next logical step. You need to put in training for 9 to 24 months, depending on the program you enroll in or the requirements of your state. Once you complete your training, you can then handle responsibilities related to patient care and administrative tasks.
Medical laboratory technician (MLT)
To become a medical laboratory technician, you must obtain an associate’s degree and complete a training program that is accredited for MLT. Once you complete all requirements and become a licensed MLT, You can draw blood and analyze it as well to determine a patient’s health concerns.
Medical technologist (MT)
Why stop at just being a medical laboratory technician when you can take your career further and become a medical technologist? Just complete a bachelor’s degree and acquire hands-on experience to be eligible for this particular career advancement. Earn an MT certification and you will earn more than what you’ll get from working as an MLT.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN)
If you want to do more for patients than just draw blood, you should obtain a nursing degree. You can do this while working, which would work to your advantage. Not only will you be earning while studying but you also get to practice and hone your skills.
The good news is obtaining a nursing degree can be done by enrolling in evening, hybrid, and online courses. Some of your course options include an accredited nursing program, a diploma from a hospital, a two-year program for associate’s degree in nursing, and a four-year program for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Once you completed your course, you then need to pass an NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN examination to earn your license and start practicing as a nurse.
Which career option do you want to explore? Whichever you choose, it is important to remember that the more experience you have the higher your chances of advancing in your career from phlebotomy.
I became a c.m.a. 5 years ago but because of my schools fault was not given an extership. I want to do this type of work but can't get hired ANYWHERE. Are re there any positive thoughts or paths you can share to help? I am at a loss.