Becoming a Phlebotomist in West Virginia
A phlebotomist is an important, valuable member of most healthcare settings. They work with patients to keep them safe and comfortable while drawing blood for laboratory tests or donations. To become a phlebotomist in West Virginia does not require a degree, so this is an exciting career you can enter in less than a year.
The current outlook for qualified phlebotomists in West Virginia is good. They are in demand and may work in hospitals, physician offices or medical laboratories. You can get a full-time healthcare job working with patients and a decent salary in less time than you may think.
Phlebotomist Requirements in West Virginia
You do not need to have any specific degree, training, education or licensing in West Virginia to work as a phlebotomist. However, this is a skilled job and no employer will hire you without any training at all. In some cases, a lab or hospital may hire you with no experience, with the understanding that you will be trained on the job.
It is more common and recommended to get into this career through a more formal path:
- Earn a high school diploma or GED
- Complete a post-secondary phlebotomy program, typically a diploma or certificate program that takes less than one year
- Get certified through a national organization by passing an exam
Phlebotomy Programs in West Virginia
The best way to become a phlebotomist is to begin with a post-secondary program. Options in West Virginia include:
- Pierpont Community and Technical College. This college that serves the central and northern parts of the state offers a Phlebotomy Advanced Skill Set certificate. It includes 13 credit hours of courses and a practical work experience where you have the opportunity to practice phlebotomy skills in a real healthcare setting.
- Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Blue Ridge in Martinsburg offers a phlebotomy technician program with 80 hours of classroom work and 100 hours of externship work experience.
- West Virginia University. The Parkersburg campus of WVU offers students a one-semester program in phlebotomy. It includes 133 hours comprised of classroom learning and practical work experience. Graduates are prepared to take a national certification exam.
Phlebotomist Certification
As a phlebotomist in West Virginia, you are not required to hold a certification. Some employers may require it or ask that you pursue certification as a condition of hiring. Most programs in phlebotomy will prepare you to pass the certification exams offered by these professional organizations:
- American Medical Technologists
- American Society for Clinical Pathology
- National Center for Competency Testing
- National Healthcareer Association
- National Phlebotomy Association
In addition to the exam, you may also need to have a certain number of classroom and work experience hours to get certified.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
Phlebotomists in West Virginia have an average annual wage of $35,090, which is slightly below the national average of $38,530. The lowest 10% of earners in West Virginia make about $29,200, while the highest 10% earn $40,720 or more. This data reflects the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 wage data.
Phlebotomist Salaries: National vs. West Virginia
| Percentile | United States | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $30,250 | $29,200 |
| 25% | $35,020 | $31,400 |
| Median (50%) | $38,530 | $35,090 |
| 75% | $45,280 | $37,180 |
| 90% | $51,610 | $40,720 |
Phlebotomist Salaries by Region in West Virginia
| Region | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | $28,510 | $29,120 | $31,410 | $32,430 | $34,030 |
Phlebotomists Employment Trends in West Virginia
In West Virginia, the employment landscape for phlebotomists is experiencing significant growth. As of 2020, there were approximately 1,200 individuals employed in this occupation. By the year 2030, this number is projected to increase to 1,500, marking a substantial growth rate of 25%. This expansion in the field is expected to generate around 190 job openings annually over the decade from 2020 to 2030.
Comparatively, in the United States, the employment for phlebotomists was at 139,400 in 2022 and is projected to rise to 150,200 by 2032, which translates to an 8% growth rate—considered faster than average. Nationally, there are anticipated to be 19,500 job openings each year within the same period.
Comparison of National and West Virginia Employment Data Trends
| Location | Employment (2020/2022) | Projected Employment (2030/2032) | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030/2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 1,200 employees | 1,500 employees | 25% | 190 |
| United States | 139,400 employees | 150,200 employees | 8% | 19,500 |
Sources of Data:
- Projections Central for the state-specific data for West Virginia, which offers long-term occupational projections for the period from 2020 to 2030.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the national data, providing employment projections for the period from 2022 to 2032.
What’s It Like to Work as a Phlebotomist in West Virginia?
Most phlebotomists work in hospitals and medical labs, but they are also hired in all types of medical centers and offices. While there may be more jobs available in the high population centers of Charleston, Huntington and Morgantown, phlebotomists are needed everywhere healthcare is offered.
In West Virginia, a sample of recent job listings can give you a good idea of some of the opportunities available:phlebotomist/lab assistant, NOAH Associates, Charleston; mobile phlebotomist, American Red Cross, Morgantown; phlebotomist, Pleasant Valley Hospital, Ravenswood; and phlebotomist, Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington.