How to Become a Phlebotomist in Idaho
A phlebotomist is the important medical professional who draws blood for medical purposes. This role also includes processing the blood, providing quality patient care, following safety precautions and entering data. Your exact job duties could vary by your place of employment and the purpose of the blood collections, but you know that you’ll be helping patients and contributing an important role within the medical field. There are plenty of places for you to train as a phlebotomist and work in the field in Idaho.
Requirements for Becoming a Phlebotomist in Idaho
The state of Idaho requires that you take an accredited training course in phlebotomy before you can work in this role. You can find these through community colleges, universities and technical schools that offer them. Some courses take place in person, while some are offered through online learning. Certification is not necessary in the state but is worth considering.
Training Courses in Idaho
These are some of the phlebotomy courses available to train you in Idaho:
- Idaho Medical Academy: The eight-week phlebotomy technician course and certification takes place in Boise. It includes classroom learning with simulated clinical experience and includes the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) exam for certification.
- Idaho State University:The phlebotomy technician training includes classroom lessons that take place during the evening in Pocatello, in addition to 40 hours of drawing blood in a clinical setting. The course prepares you for the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) exam for certification.
- College of Western Idaho: The 10-week phlebotomy and specimen processing course combines classroom training in Nampa with online learning and in-class skills labs. It prepares you for the American Medical Technologists (AMT) exam.
Before you begin, make sure that a phlebotomy training course will meet Idaho’s training requirements.
Certification for Becoming a Phlebotomist in Idaho
Certification is not required to start working in this role in Idaho. However, you should still consider certification. The state requires you to take an accredited training course, which will prepare you to sit for one of the certification exams. Also, certification can provide a valuable credential to boost your chances of employment and higher pay, and some Idaho employers may require it even though the state does not. You can become certified through different organizations, including the AMT, the ASPT or the NCCT.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
Phlebotomists in Idaho earn an average annual wage of $36,910, which is slightly below the national average for this profession of $38,530. The starting wage for phlebotomists in Idaho is around $29,670 (representing the lowest 10% of earners), while the top 10% of earners in the state can make up to $78,040 annually.
The field of phlebotomy in Idaho, as in the rest of the country, is expected to grow, with a projected national growth rate of 23 percent from 2018 to 2028, indicating an increase in employment opportunities over time.
National vs. Idaho Phlebotomist Salaries
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $30,250 | $38,530 | $51,610 |
| Idaho | $29,670 | $36,910 | $78,040 |
Idaho Regional Phlebotomist Salaries
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | $30,300 | $37,220 | $80,820 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $35,110 | $36,930 | $58,850 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $36,660 | $39,120 | $47,750 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $28,890 | $32,610 | $40,100 |
| Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $33,610 | $35,390 | $78,010 |
| Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $29,470 | $35,040 | $56,000 |
Phlebotomists Employment Trends in Idaho
In Idaho, the employment for Phlebotomists as of 2020 was 720 employees. The projected employment by 2030 is expected to reach 900 employees, which indicates a significant growth rate of 25% over the ten-year period. This growth rate is much higher than the national average. Additionally, there are projected to be 90 annual job openings from 2020 to 2030 in Idaho, which includes new job opportunities and replacements.
Idaho Employment Trends for Phlebotomists
| Employment (2020) | Projected Employment (2030) | Projected Growth (2020-2030) | Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720 employees | 900 employees | 25% | 90 |
Sources of Data:
- For Idaho state data: Projections Central 2020-2030 long-term projections.
- For national data: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022-2032 employment projections.
Working as a Phlebotomist in Idaho
You have various options of workplaces with a career as a phlebotomist. This necessary profession works in various medical settings including clinical labs, research labs, doctor’s offices, hospitals, plasma centers, dialysis centers, blood donation centers and research facilities. The BLS explains that the top employers are hospitals and labs.
If you become a phlebotomist, you will have a rewarding role in the medical field. You will be helping patients with their bloodwork, which is an important part of the medical field and a patient’s health. In Idaho, you can take a quick training course to get started as a phlebotomist, and certification is optional but helpful to your career prospects.