Becoming a Phlebotomist in Utah
If you’ve been considering a career in healthcare but don’t want to spend a lot of time in college, you might be interested in working as a phlebotomist. Phlebotomists work in hospitals, laboratories and doctor’s offices, collecting blood and other types of specimens for diagnostic testing. Although working in the field can be quite challenging, it is also potentially fulfilling for those who enjoy caring for others.
Phlebotomists need to acquire a lot of skills and knowledge to perform their jobs well. It will be important for phlebotomists to be well-informed about the various tests performed in the laboratory, as they will be responsible for ensuring specimen integrity is maintained. For example, a phlebotomist will need to know when there is a certain period of time in which a test needs to be collected and which tubes will need to be completely filled.
Phlebotomists will also need to have excellent communication skills, as they are the only member of the laboratory team to interact with the public regularly. It will often be necessary to de-escalate an anxious patient or keep a child calm during the blood draw procedure. Phlebotomists will need to be able to maintain considerable patience and compassion during stressful interactions.
Licensing for Utah Phlebotomists
Utah does not require phlebotomists to obtain a license in order to work in the state. Although the state does not provide oversight for the career, phlebotomists are medical professionals and will need to work within medical regulations. As a phlebotomist, you will work under a licensed medical director and be supervised by a medical technologist or registered nurse.
Phlebotomy Training Programs in Utah
Training for phlebotomy requires a high school diploma or equivalent along with specific training in the field. Although on-the-job training was once common in the profession, most phlebotomists today seek a certified course. A few options in Utah include:
- Mountainland Technical College in Lehi offers a Phlebotomy Certificate program. Students will learn to perform venipunctures, finger and heel sticks as well as special collection procedures.
- Tooele Technical College in Tooele offers a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate of Proficiency.
- Davis Technical College in Kaysville offers a Certificate of Program Completion in Phlebotomy. Students will study laboratory protocols, specimen collection, body systems, infection control and safety.
- Southwest Technical College in Cedar City offers a training course in Phlebotomy. Students will be prepared for a career in the field through coursework and a practicum.
Accreditation for Phlebotomists
Phlebotomists in Utah are not required to obtain accreditation to practice, but certification is a great way to accelerate your career. Having your certification is not only a mark of professionalism but is often sought after by hiring managers. Certification is offered by many organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) whose credentials can be acquired through passing an examination.
Utah Salaries and Career Growth Expectations
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2019 salaries in Utah fell below the national average for this field, with reported average annual earnings of $32,390. Although top earners in the state made up to $40,740 per year, entry-level phlebotomists should expect wages closer to $28,260, at the lower end of the scale.
In somewhat better news, the job growth potential for phlebotomists in the state is above average, with a predicted 45.2 percent growth in the next 10 years.
Working as a Phlebotomist in Utah
In Utah, organizations like LabCorp, University of Utah and Quest Diagnostics actively recruit for and hire phlebotomists. Regardless of where you choose to start your career, you should expect working as a phlebotomist to be demanding both physically and emotionally. Even so, anyone with an aptitude for healthcare will find this career very rewarding.