As in any career, certified phlebotomists who have completed a qualified phlebotomy training course can find both full time and part time employment. It is important to remember that phlebotomists that work part-time hours are not necessarily less experienced. In many settings, the same requirements and duties are performed by part time phlebotomists that are performed by full time phlebotomists.
Part time phlebotomists and full time phlebotomists perform many of the same duties. These responsibilities include venipuncture and other blood collection techniques, record keeping, and ensuring the safety of both the patient and phlebotomist. This involves working with a wide variety of patients, including infants, children and the elderly. Essentially, the only difference between part time and full time phlebotomists is the number of hours worked each week.
Many employers, such as hospitals and healthcare facilities, prefer to hire phlebotomists with previous experience or graduation from a phlebotomy training program. Employers may be more inclined to hire phlebotomists that have been trained through their facility or one of their affiliates. If you desire to work at a specific organization, determine their preferences before selecting a training program.
Not all programs are recognized by employers. To avoid this situation, select a program accredited by the United States Department of Education, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), or similar. You will need documentation of training, so obtain a certificate or transcript upon completion of the course. This can be included with your resume when you apply for part time or full time employment.
Your employer may also require you to be officially certified. This is not a legal requirement of practicing phlebotomists (except in the states of California and Louisiana), but is preferred by most employers. Certification is obtained by writing an exam offered by a national certifying agency.
There are ten nationally recognized certifying agencies available throughout the United States; these include the American Phlebotomy Association (APA) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Graduates of accredited training programs qualify to write certification exams. Phlebotomists lacking formal training must have one year of documented work experience and a number of successful blood collections to qualify for certification exams.
Some employers may prefer to hire part time phlebotomists due to the flexibility of their hours. A part time phlebotomy position usually entails 20 to 30 hours per week, depending on the employer. The schedule and number of hours worked by a part time phlebotomist may vary from week to week. Like full time phlebotomists, part time technicians working in hospitals may be required to work shifts and nights.
Part time phlebotomy is an ideal second job or as a source of additional income for a two-income household. The healthcare field is largely expanding as the general population ages, so finding part time employment as a certified phlebotomist will not be difficult. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor expects a 14 percent increase in employment opportunities for phlebotomists from 2006 to 2016. Certified and experienced phlebotomists usually find a starting salary of $10 to $12 an hour. Experienced technicians report wages up to $18 an hour. The exact wage of a phlebotomist will vary according to experience, location, and employer.
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