Becoming a Phlebotomist in Mississippi
Working as a phlebotomist is a good career option for someone who wants to be in the medical field and doesn’t mind handling blood. This position draws blood samples from patients, handles the blood, follows safety procedures, enters information into medical software and carries out other duties. This is a role that has opportunities for training and working within the state of Mississippi.
Requirements for Becoming a Phlebotomist in Mississippi
Mississippi doesn’t require certification to start working as a phlebotomist. Instead, you need a high school diploma and to pass health and background checks. After that, you can start work through on-the-job training. However, some employers in Mississippi may require a training course and certification, and these qualifications could put you ahead in your career.
Educational Programs in Mississippi
Training in phlebotomy educates you in necessary medical terminology and skills for the job, provides hands-on training and prepares you to take an exam for certification. You can take courses at a community college, a technical school or online. These are some of the training programs you could take in the state of Mississippi:
- East Mississippi Community College: This phlebotomy course includes eight weeks of classroom time and 100 hours of hands-on experience through clinical rotations. Campuses are in Scooba and Mayhew, MS.
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College: This course includes 40 hours of classroom training, 60 hours of clinical training and 60 blood collections successfully carried out on your own. The course prepares you for certification from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). This school has campuses throughout Mississippi.
- Mississippi Delta Community College: This is an evening course that includes classroom training and 100 hours of hands-on clinical experience. It prepares students to take a national exam. This college is located in Moorhead, MS.
Phlebotomist Certification in Mississippi
Generally, you need to take a training course before you can sit for a certification exam. Passing the exam makes you a certified phlebotomist technician. You can choose from different certifying bodies, and many of them provide national certification you can use to practice in any state. Some certifying organizations include the NCCT, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA).
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
According to Indeed.com, the average Mississippi phlebotomist salary is $17.47 per hour or $45,443 per year. This salary is considered significantly higher than the national average for this profession. You may make less starting out, but you can expect to increase your salary through experience and credentials like training and certification.
Another plus is that this career has a positive job outlook. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the field to grow 23 percent from 2018 to 2028.
Working as a Phlebotomist in Mississippi
Whether in Mississippi or other parts of the nation, the phlebotomist role is the same. This position draws blood from patients for purposes of blood testing, donations, transfusions or research. The purpose of the blood could vary depending on your workplace. For example, working in a medical lab could mean drawing blood for testing and research purposes. Other places to work include hospitals, medical facilities, research centers, blood donation centers and clinics.
The position of phlebotomist is a necessary role that’s abundant within the medical field. The necessity of the role and the field’s projected growth rate mean that it’s a smart career path with plenty of employers and hiring opportunities. It’s quick and easy to get started in this career in Mississippi, while you can improve your chances and success by becoming trained and certified in the state.