Becoming a Phlebotomist in Delaware
People need their blood drawn for numerous reasons, including to have it tested, for a blood transfusions or to donate it. They may also provide blood and serum for research purposes. In the role of a phlebotomist, you’re the medical professional who draws the blood and handles it properly for its specific purpose. This role requires various skills, including knowledge of medical terms, the ability to provide quality service to patients and the capability to enter medical data into computer software. In this growing field, you could have plenty of opportunity to work as a phlebotomist in Delaware and earn a steady living in this profession.
What Requirements Does Delaware Have for Becoming a Phlebotomist?
You don’t have any specific schooling or certification requirements to become a phlebotomist in Delaware. That said, training and certification prepare you for employment without the need for on-the-job training. While the state doesn’t require them, though, employers may prefer or even require them. It’s also possible that you could be offered a higher salary and more opportunities for having these qualifications.
Training Courses in Delaware
Phlebotomy training in this small state are limited to one community college. If that doesn’t work for you, you could choose a program in a neighboring state or an online program. These are a few of your options:
- Delaware Technical Community College: The certified phlebotomy technician program covers 135 course hours over seven weeks. It takes place at the Dover campus and prepares you to sit for a national certification exam. It also sets you up with an internship to gain hands-on experience.
- Harcum College: This school near Philadelphia, PA, offers a phlebotomy technician course. It includes classroom education for 15 weeks, clinical experience for 2.5 weeks and prep for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) board of certification exam.
- MedCerts:This company offers an online phlebotomy technician course you can take from your home in Delaware. It lasts for 11 weeks and prepares you for certification from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Delaware Phlebotomy Certification
While certification is not necessary for phlebotomists in the state, it is beneficial. If you choose to get it, you can become certified from your choice of organization. Some options include the NHA, the ASCP or the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA).
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a steady demand for phlebotomists, with a national job growth rate of 8 percent from 2022 to 2032. This growth is faster than the average for all occupations, indicating a positive outlook for those entering this field.
In Delaware, phlebotomists earn an average annual salary of $43,430. Entry-level phlebotomists, representing the lowest 10% of earners, can expect to make around $36,320 annually, while the top 10% of earners can make $54,140 or more. These figures suggest that Delaware offers competitive wages for phlebotomists, with earnings above the national average.
National vs. Delaware Phlebotomist Salaries
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $30,250 | $38,530 | $51,610 |
| Delaware | $36,320 | $43,430 | $54,140 |
Delaware Regional Phlebotomist Salaries
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $36,850 | $39,140 | $44,860 | $46,490 | $50,870 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | $36,240 | $36,320 | $36,690 | $43,430 | $46,920 |
Phlebotomists Employment Trends in Delaware
In Delaware, the number of employed Phlebotomists in 2020 was 450. This figure is projected to increase to 580 by 2030, representing a significant growth of 29%. This projected growth rate is substantially higher than the national average, indicating a robust demand for Phlebotomists in the state over the next decade. Additionally, there are projected to be 70 annual job openings from 2020 to 2030, which takes into account new job opportunities and replacements.
Nationally, the employment for Phlebotomists was 139,400 in 2022 and is projected to grow to 150,200 by 2032, which translates to an 8% growth rate, considered faster than average. The projected annual job openings nationwide are estimated to be 19,500 for the same period.
Employment Trends for Phlebotomists in Delaware and the United States
| Location | Employment (Year) | Projected Employment (Year) | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 450 (2020) | 580 (2030) | 29% | 70 |
| United States | 139,400 (2022) | 150,200 (2032) | 8% | 19,500 |
Sources of Data:
The data for the employment trends of Phlebotomists in Delaware is sourced from Projections Central’s 2020-2030 long-term projections. The national data for the United States is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022-2032 employment projections.
What’s It Like to Work as a Phlebotomist in Delaware?
When you look for your first job as a phlebotomist, hospitals are a good place to start since they’re the top employer of this position, according to the BLS. Medical and diagnostic laboratories are a close second. Nonetheless, you could also find positions in other ambulatory healthcare services, doctor’s offices and outpatient centers. These come in different forms, including blood donation centers, healthcare facilities, independent labs, research centers and other medical settings.
A career as a phlebotomist can put you into a steady and growing profession in the medical field. The state of Delaware makes it easy to quickly get started in this profession, and you can find many employers available to you.