How to Become a Phlebotomist in Louisiana
Not just anyone in the healthcare industry can safely and accurately draw blood. As a rule, this crucial responsibility falls on trained medical technicians called phlebotomists. You’ve likely seen one of these technicians at work in a hospital or while visiting your doctor’s office. You’ll also find them working away from the public eye in lab facilities. Along with drawing blood, phlebotomists help make sure that sampled blood gets processed in secure conditions that support patient confidentiality.
Public and private health facilities throughout Louisiana depend on phlebotomists’ daily contributions to the workplace. The state requires a higher level of training and oversight than most locations across the country. However, Louisiana phlebotomists also typically enjoy high levels of job security. For more information on how to get started in phlebotomy, just keep reading this introductory guide.
Louisiana Licensing, Training and Certification
Along with just three other states, Louisiana maintains a licensing requirement for anyone entering the phlebotomy field. The agency responsible for handling licensing is the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME). To meet this organization’s requirements, you must pay a fee. In addition, you must apply for a permanent or temporary phlebotomist license.
To get your permanent license, you must do two things. First, you must complete a phlebotomy training program. In addition, you’ll need to pass a national phlebotomy certification exam offered by one of the LSBME’s approved organizations. To get your temporary license, you must complete a training program and show proof that you’re scheduled to take your exam.
Only a thorough training program will provide you with enough knowledge to take and pass a national certification exam. Phlebotomy programs often design their coursework to meet the terms of specific testing organizations. The list of such organizations includes:
- American Medical Technologists
- The National Healthcareer Association
- The American Society for Clinical Pathology
Before you begin your program, check to see if it’s meant to qualify you to take a specific exam. If it is, make sure that the exam in question is approved by the LSBME.
Phlebotomy Training Programs in Louisiana
Given the state’s licensing requirements, it’s not surprising that you can find high-quality training programs in multiple Louisiana cities. Options in this category include:
- The Lake Charles Memorial Health System Phlebotomy Program – This program takes six weeks to complete. It mixes classroom lectures with clinical work that gives you plenty of real-world practice. All graduates receive a program certificate. In addition, they receive permission to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s certification exam.
- The Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College Phlebotomy Program – You need a total of 12 credits to complete this program. It provides you with more than 200 hours of training in phlebotomy. It also provides you with about 180 hours of training in phlebotomy-related topics.
- The Acadiana Area Career College Phlebotomy Technician Program – This is a 10-week training program. You’ll spend the first seven weeks learning in a classroom setting. The remaining three weeks are reserved for hands-on training in a clinical setting. Overall, you’ll complete about 200 hours of work.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
Phlebotomists in Louisiana earn an average annual wage of $31,710, which is below the national average of $38,530. Entry-level phlebotomists in the state can expect to earn around $26,530, while those in the top 10% can make upwards of $41,170. The salary can vary significantly depending on the region within Louisiana, with some areas offering higher wages than others.
Phlebotomist Salaries: National vs. Louisiana
| 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 |
| Louisiana | $26,530 | $29,180 | $31,710 | $37,270 | $41,170 |
Phlebotomist Salaries by Region in Louisiana
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $24,500 | $30,910 | $31,200 | $32,710 | $39,690 |
Phlebotomists Employment Trends in Louisiana
The data from the webpage for Louisiana’s employment trends for phlebotomists indicates that in 2020, there were 2,370 phlebotomists employed in the state. By 2030, this number is projected to increase to 2,580, representing a growth of 9%. Annually, there are expected to be 310 job openings in this field within the state. For comparison, the United States as a whole had 139,400 phlebotomists employed in 2022, with a projection of 150,200 by 2032, marking an 8% growth. Nationally, there are expected to be 19,500 job openings each year. The sources for this data are Projections Central for Louisiana and the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the United States.
Employment Trends for Phlebotomists in Louisiana and the United States
| Employment (2020) | Projected Employment (2030) | Projected Growth (2020-2030) | Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 2,370 | 2,580 | 9% | 310 |
| United States | 139,400 | 150,200 | 8% | 19,500 |
Sources of Data:
- Projections Central for the state-level employment projections for Louisiana.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the national-level employment projections and data.
What’s It Like to Work as a Phlebotomist in Louisiana?
Working as a phlebotomist in Louisiana offers a unique blend of challenges and rewards. Phlebotomists in the state are integral members of the healthcare team, tasked with the critical role of drawing blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. While the average salary in Louisiana may be slightly lower than the national average, opportunities for growth and higher earnings exist, particularly in metropolitan areas like New Orleans and Metairie. The job market is stable, with a steady demand for skilled phlebotomists in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and other medical facilities, providing a fulfilling career path for those interested in the medical field.