A Career as a Phlebotomist in Maine
If you are considering a career as a phlebotomist, you might want to know more about what the job entails. Phlebotomists are responsible for drawing blood samples and collecting other specimens for laboratory testing. They also commonly instruct patients on how to properly collect their own specimens, such as stool, urine and sputum, and receive and label the material after collection. A phlebotomist will need to have specific knowledge of the types of specimens needed for each test and what the optimal window of time is for specimen collection.
Phlebotomists should expect to work early morning hours, off-shifts and weekends regularly. The job requires significant physical stamina and manual dexterity. Even the most skilled phlebotomist will encounter patients from whom it is difficult to draw blood, especially in a hospital setting where patients are more severely ill.Therefore, it will be necessary to hone your skills through practice.
Phlebotomists will often encounter patients who are under significant amounts of stress. Many patients will present with a fear of needles or anxiety about the tests being performed and the meaning of the results. As such, compassionate communication skills are essential for phlebotomists.
Maine Licensing For Phlebotomists
Licensure is not a requirement to work as a phlebotomist in Maine. However, phlebotomists do need to work under a licensed professional, usually a physician. Significant training will also be required to become employed as a phlebotomist.
Maine Training For Phlebotomists
Phlebotomists in Maine can acquire training through a certified training course, for which a high school diploma is a prerequisite. There are various courses throughout the state, including:
- Northeast Technical Institute, with campuses in Scarborough, Bangor and Auburn, offers healthcare certifications in Phlebotomy and Clinical Medical Assistant II.
- Washington County Community College in Calais offers a certificate in phlebotomy. Their one-year program prepares students for entry-level positions in the field. Practical phlebotomy experience will be obtained through internships, and each student will need to have performed 80 venipunctures prior to graduation.
- Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield offers a certificate in phlebotomy. Students will be prepared to take the certification exam upon graduation.
- Central Maine Community College in Auburn offers a Medical Assistant certification. Students will learn phlebotomy along with other medical assistant technical skills, medical transcription and medical law and ethics.
Accreditation
Accreditation for phlebotomists can be acquired through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), which is currently the leading organization for laboratory professionals. Certification can be earned through taking and passing an examination at the cost of $135. Although certification is not required to work as a phlebotomist, attaining it is a mark of professionalism and will accelerate your career opportunities.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
In Maine, phlebotomists have an average annual wage of $36,280, which is slightly below the national average of $38,530. Entry-level phlebotomists in Maine, representing the lowest 10% earners, make about $30,520 annually, while those in the top 10% can earn $44,080 or more. Comparatively, the lowest 10% of earners nationally make $30,250, and the highest 10% earn $51,610 or more.
National vs Maine Phlebotomist Salaries Comparison
| 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 |
| Maine | $30,520 | $33,030 | $36,280 | $39,630 | $44,080 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Maine
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | $29,610 | $36,280 | $36,280 | $40,130 | $46,120 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $32,000 | $32,000 | $33,350 | $40,730 | $47,290 |
| Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $28,160 | $31,280 | $34,950 | $36,940 | $41,900 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $30,520 | $33,820 | $36,080 | $39,890 | $42,800 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | $38,260 | $39,260 | $42,020 | $44,650 | $52,670 |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $31,290 | $33,030 | $36,440 | $37,420 | $44,340 |
Phlebotomists Employment Trends in Maine
The data from the webpage on employment trends for phlebotomists in Maine indicates that there were 430 phlebotomists employed in the state in 2020. This number is projected to rise to 470 by 2030, representing a growth rate of 9%. Annually, there are expected to be around 60 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 projected increase to 150,200 by 2032, which translates to an 8% growth rate. Nationally, there are expected to be about 19,500 job openings each year.
Employment Trends for Phlebotomists in Maine and the United States
| Location | Employment (2020/2022) | Projected Employment (2030/2032) | Projected Growth (2020-2030/2022-2032) | Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030/2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 430 | 470 | 9% | 60 |
| United States | 139,400 | 150,200 | 8% | 19,500 |
Sources of Data:
- Projections Central for the state of Maine’s employment projections for phlebotomists from 2020 to 2030.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the national employment projections for phlebotomists from 2022 to 2032.
What’s It Like to Work as a Phlebotomist in Maine?
Phlebotomists are needed anywhere diagnostic testing happens, so jobs should be easily found wherever there is a hub of medical activity. In general, the majority of job openings will be centered around larger metropolitan areas, where there are hospitals. Possible employers in the state of Maine include CSL Plasma, St. Mary’s Health System, Eastern Maine Healthcare and NorDx.