Think back to what you were doing three and a half months ago. Did you have thoughts then about making a change in your career and becoming a phlebotomist? Have you still postponed taking the steps towards that change? Although it can feel overwhelming, transitioning into a phlebotomy career can be extremely rewarding. It can also be streamlined and quick! If you had taken the step just a short three and a half months ago, you could be standing here today as a trained phlebotomist.

Goodwin College’s flexible phlebotomy classes can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to become a phlebotomist. Furthermore, Goodwin’s academic advisors can answer all your questions from, ‘How long does it take to become a phlebotomist’ to ‘What can you expect to learn with phlebotomy training?’, to ‘What steps are involved in finding a phlebotomy job?’

Let’s take a deeper dive into how you can become a phlebotomist in just a few months’ time.

What is a phlebotomist?

First and foremost, it’s important to define the essential roles and responsibilities of a phlebotomists so that you can fully understand if this career choice is a good fit for you. A phlebotomist is a vital member of a medical team, as they are the ones that draw blood from patients for medical analysis, donation, research, or transfusion. Because people are generally uncomfortable with getting their blood taken, it’s a phlebotomist’s responsibility to make patients feel comfortable, and clearly communicate the collection process. Furthermore, because of the nature of phlebotomy, phlebotomists need to be familiar with all policies and safety procedures in order to limit a patient’s risk of infection. Phlebotomists can work in hospitals, insurance companies, clinics, outpatient laboratories, nursing homes, and physician’s offices.

How can you become a phlebotomist?

There are a few different ways one can become a phlebotomist. You can either complete at least 3 months of on-the job training or enroll in a formal education program. If you choose to go the education route, know that there are certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs offered at schools and hospitals throughout the country. Goodwin College offers a certificate-level phlebotomy program that combines classroom and clinical instruction, preparing students for work in a variety of clinical settings.

How long does it take to become a phlebotomist?

The good news is that some phlebotomy programs are designed to work with your busy schedule. Similar to most other Goodwin College healthcare programs, Goodwin College’s Certificate in Phlebotomy and Laboratory Services is extremely flexible and convenient for students. Goodwin’s Phlebotomy program takes only one semester to complete – that’s approximately only 15 weeks. It can also be completed at an accelerated, 7.5-week pace.

What can you expect to learn during phlebotomy training?

After successful completion of Goodwin’s Phlebotomy program, graduates will walk away with a great deal of knowledge and have the skills needed to obtain a job. Students who successfully complete the program will have the skills and knowledge to:

• Communicate effectively and professionally in a healthcare environment, including being able to describe HIPAA and its repercussions in the lab setting.
• Have a solid understanding of human anatomy, physiology and the medical terminology needed in different healthcare setting.
• Perform capillary and phlebotomy specimen collection, basic laboratory testing and demonstrate laboratory safety techniques when collecting and testing is performed.

What are the steps to follow after phlebotomy program graduation?

After you receive your Phlebotomy certificate, it’s time to find a job in the field. Fortunately, Goodwin’s phlebotomy students are required to intern in a health care facility or laboratory, so that they can apply their skills and perform learned procedures in an active clinical setting. Sometimes, those internships can lead to jobs at that healthcare facility. However, if they do not, graduates will have lifelong access to Goodwin’s Career Services team who can assist and prepare them for their job search. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of employed phlebotomists to rise by nearly 25% by 2026, which means the job outlook for this line of work looks extremely promising over the next several years.

Still wondering how long it takes to become a phlebotomist? Learn more by speaking with our admissions team today. Call 800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.