How to Become a Phlebotomist in Alabama

If you would like to work in a career in the healthcare field but don’t want to spend a lot of time and money training, and blood does not make you squeamish, then you might want to consider working as a phlebotomist. Phlebotomists are responsible for prepping patients for blood draws, drawing blood for medical testing, donations and transfusions, and preparing the blood to be tested. They may draw blood through venipuncture, heel or finger pricks. Phlebotomists often work in hospitals, medical clinics and diagnostic laboratories. This career is quickly growing in the United States, and while training is required, a degree or certification is not.

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Requirements for Becoming a Phlebotomist in Alabama

There are no statewide licensure or certification requirements in Alabama to work as a phlebotomist. Employers set educational and certification guidelines. In most cases, employers will require that phlebotomists have a high school diploma or its equivalent. A degree is not required, but some training and experience are usually preferred, so completing a post-secondary phlebotomy program would be wise. And finally, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) does not require that phlebotomists in the state hold certification, but it is strongly encouraged. You may be able to find a job without completing a formal educational program and receive training on the job. However, you may be more likely to get hired if you already have some education and training in phlebotomy.

Educational Programs in Alabama

There are several post-secondary phlebotomy programs in Alabama. These programs range from nine weeks to three months in length and are offered at community colleges throughout the state. Here are a couple of the available programs:

  • Jefferson State Community College. All four of the Jefferson State campuses offer the phlebotomy training program. This program has both classroom lectures and clinical practice. Classes meet two days a week for 12 weeks, and clinicals are the last three weeks of the program. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate and will be able to take the NHA test for certification in phlebotomy. This is a limited enrollment program. Students must complete registration, pay tuition and make at least a grade of 70 on the Accuplacer Exam in addition to having a high school diploma or GED to be eligible for the program. They must also have proof of insurance and updated immunizations to complete the clinical part of the program.
  • Calhoun Community College. This program is offered at the Huntsville campus and provides a combination of classes and hands-on training in a clinical setting. The program lasts for nine weeks, and only 12 students are admitted to each class. To register, you must be a high school graduate or have a GED and register and pay tuition in full online. Once accepted, students must attend an enrollment session. They may also opt into including a one- to two-week clinical rotation at a local hospital or clinic. This will require the payment of an additional fee. After completing the program, students will be eligible to take the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) National Certification exam and receive national certification.

National Phlebotomist Certification

Some employers may prefer to hire certified phlebotomists, although it is not required. You might need to work for a little while to receive clinical experience before taking the certification exam, especially if you didn’t log any or many clinical hours if you completed an academic program.

Certification exams are offered through:

The requirements for taking the exam will vary by organization. The NHA certification requires students to have a high school diploma or GED and to have completed a training program in which they have drawn blood from live individuals within the five years before taking the exam. The NCCT exam has an option for current students, graduates and experienced phlebotomists.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations in Alabama

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), phlebotomy careers are experiencing significant growth nationally. In the state of Alabama, there’s also a noticeable increase in employment for phlebotomists.

Location Annual Low (10%) Annual QL (25%) Annual Median (50%) Annual QU (75%) Annual High (90%)
United States $30,250 $35,020 $38,530 $45,280 $51,610
Alabama $25,360 $28,250 $32,690 $38,180 $41,680

Nationally, phlebotomists earn an average of $38,530 annually. In contrast, phlebotomists in Alabama earn an average of $32,690 annually.

Phlebotomist Salaries in Alabama by Region

Region in Alabama Annual Low (10%) Annual QL (25%) Annual Median (50%) Annual QU (75%) Annual High (90%)
Birmingham-Hoover, AL $26,870 $30,300 $35,070 $38,600 $42,100
Columbus, GA-AL $27,810 $30,010 $35,610 $38,670 $43,690
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL $30,010 $35,690 $38,840 $39,820 $43,980
Decatur, AL $27,540 $29,960 $34,820 $39,250 $39,860
Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area $22,530 $23,930 $25,380 $26,920 $30,990
Tuscaloosa, AL $19,880 $24,680 $29,040 $40,290 $41,590

In Alabama, the employment trends for Phlebotomists indicate a positive outlook. As of 2020, there were 2,270 phlebotomists employed in the state. This number is projected to increase to 2,770 by 2030, representing a growth of 22%. Annually, there are expected to be 340 job openings for this profession between 2020 and 2030. On a national scale, the United States had 139,400 phlebotomists employed in 2022, with a projection of 150,200 by 2032. This signifies a growth rate of 8%, which is faster than average. The projected annual job openings nationwide from 2022 to 2032 are 19,500.

Location Employment (Start Year) Projected Employment (End Year) Projected Growth Projected Annual Job Openings
Alabama 2,270 (2020) 2,770 (2030) 22% 340 (2020-2030)
United States 139,400 (2022) 150,200 (2032) 8% 19,500 (2022-2032)

Sources

  • For Alabama: The employment projections data for phlebotomists in Alabama are sourced from Projections Central’s 2020-2030 long-term projections.
  • For the United States: The national employment projections data for phlebotomists are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ 2022-2032 employment projections.

Working as a Phlebotomist in Alabama

Phlebotomists can be found working in several healthcare settings. Most commonly, you can find them working in hospitals, clinics or laboratories. In Alabama, you may have the most luck finding work in some of the larger cities such as Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery and Huntsville. However, if there are healthcare institutions in the area, work as a phlebotomist will likely be available.

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Get information on Phlebotomy Technician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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