Becoming a Phlebotomist in Minnesota
Phlebotomists are probably among the lesser-known professionals in the healthcare field. However, they play a big part in helping hospitals and doctors’ offices function from day to day. That’s true because these trained professionals bear responsibility for drawing blood samples from patients. In addition, phlebotomists label and catalog those samples for future use. They also perform a variety of essential secondary tasks and help safeguard both patients and the rest of the medical staff.
Experienced phlebotomists are paid well for their work. This is especially true in Minnesota, where the average salary exceeds the national average by several thousand dollars a year. Want to learn more about what it takes to get a job as a Minnesota phlebotomist? Just keep reading this brief guide. It contains everything you need to know to get started on your way.
Training Process for Phlebotomists in Minnesota
Some states require you to meet national certification standards before you can work as a phlebotomist. People living in Minnesota don’t have to fulfill such a requirement. However, like all other healthcare workers in the state who make contact with patients, prospective phlebotomists must pass a criminal background check.
It’s also highly recommended that you go through some sort of rigorous phlebotomy training before beginning your job search. There are important reasons for this recommendation. First, phlebotomists must have an understanding a wide range of subjects in order to carry out their daily tasks. In addition to drawing blood, these tasks include:
- Understanding the basics of human anatomy and physiology
- Accurately entering patient data into a computer system
- Accurately using the medical terminology associated with phlebotomy
- Following current guidelines on medical law and medical ethics
- Taking the steps needed to protect patient confidentiality at all times
Prospective employers won’t expect to have to train their new phlebotomist candidates. Instead, they’ll expect any serious candidates to have solid grounding in all aspects of the job. A high-quality training program helps ensure that you meet these expectations.
Phlebotomy Training Options
Minnesotans have a variety of options for phlebotomy training. A short list of the state’s programs includes:
- The Lake Superior College Phlebotomy Certificate Program – To enter this program, you must demonstrate basic competency in math, English and reading. To earn your certificate, you must gain a total of 16 college credits. Courses you must take as part of your work include basic lab skills, phlebotomy collection skills and procedures, and a phlebotomy internship. You must also choose from additional courses such as medical ethics and law and health-related human anatomy and physiology.
- Anoka Technical College Health Technology Certificate Program – This program provides training in several different healthcare specializations, including phlebotomy. To gain your certificate, you must earn a total of 26 credits. You can select phlebotomy-related courses to meet this requirement and complete the program. All told, you’ll receive about 40 hours of classroom instruction. In addition, you’ll log about 100 hours in practical training.
- The St. Catherine University Phlebotomy Certificate Program – This program includes two separate courses. In the five-credit Phlebotomy course, you’ll learn all of the basic skills you need to work as a phlebotomist. In the two-credit Phlebotomy Clinical Experience Course, you’ll put your skills to the test in a supervised setting.
Income Potential for Minnesota Phlebotomists
On average, phlebotomists working in Minnesota make more than $38,500 a year. This figure beats the national average for the profession by about $3,000. According to researchers at Indeed.com, by far the most lucrative market for Minnesota phlebotomists is Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Employment Forecast for Phlebotomists
Things are looking good for people who hope to find work as phlebotomists. Federal figures show that this field will gain close to 30,000 job openings during the ten-year period ending in 2028. That’s an increase of roughly 23 percent in just a decade’s time.