Are you interested in a career that offers job security and room for growth? Becoming a certified phlebotomy technician CPT can help you on your journey. Once you become certified, you can work no matter where you are in the country. We’ve got a list of some of the best accredited CPT training schools in South Dakota for you to explore. You can also learn about what you will study as a student and what you can expect when you start working.
What do phlebotomists do?
Phlebotomists are professionals that practice phlebotomy. They are mainly responsible for collecting blood samples and transporting them. Phlebotomists are highly trained in drawing blood through venipuncture and dermal puncture.
There are generally six steps to the blood drawing procedure. First, identify the patient by name, then select and prepare the collection site, next you need to collect the sample, label it, and transport the sample to the lab.
Phlebotomists have lots of other duties depending on where they work. If you work in a healthcare setting, you may also take vital signs or check blood pressure. Much of your day will be spent working with patients and families, so it’s good to have interpersonal skills, compassion, and strong communication skills.
Browser list to find more schools in South Dakota. Schools May organize their programs in different structures, so it’s important to compare and contrast them to find one that fits your goals and schedule. Feel free to visit school websites for specific answers to your questions about their training programs.
South Dakota phlebotomy program requirements
Phlebotomy is a highly technical skill, but you can complete your courses in a relatively short amount of time. Before you enroll, you must meet these requirements:
- Be 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or a GED
- Be current with all your immunization shots for major bloodborne pathogens
- Be able to pass the background check
There are multiple organizations that oversee the certification process as well as Grant credit accreditation to phlebotomy schools, including the American Medical Technologist (AMT) and THe National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
What to expect from phlebotomy classes
Classes are centered on technical skills as well as theoretical knowledge. You may be surprised to know that phlebotomists need to develop a variety of soft skills during training. Some typical subjects training programs cover are:
- The history of phlebotomy
- Proper blood drawing procedure
- Diseases in blood disorders
- Human Anatomy
- Medical equipment
- Medical terminology
During training, you will practice in a live clinical setting. You also need to complete a number of classroom hours either online or in person. Many programs have hybrid structures where you can choose to attend in person or attend remotely.
The training is split in half between Hands-On experience and theory. You can expect to do 20 hours of each or more.
Cpt technician level I while training. It can take as little as four weeks to complete a level 1 certification program that teaches you how to perform venipunctures and dermal punctures. Level 2 programs may take longer, requiring a thousand hours or more of practice and book study.
Where can I work as a phlebotomist in South Dakota?
South Carolina does not require you to hold the certification to work in the state. However, having a certification demonstrates your proficiency in phlebotomy and makes you a more attractive prospect for employers.
You can choose to work in healthcare or the science industries. Those are the two main categories phlebotomists are found in. Healthcare facilities include inpatient and outpatient centers. Outpatient centers are walk-ins like position offices, and inpatient centers are long-term care facilities like rehabilitation centers.
Phlebotomy jobs in South Dakota
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that 360 phlebotomists worked in South Dakota in 2021. This number does not include self-employed technicians.
Some of the most common places CPTs are employed include:
- Hospitals
- Off-site Labs or on-site labs
- Ambulatory Care services
- Blood banks
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
- Emergency rooms
- Physician’s offices
| Where Phlebotomists Work | % of Jobs |
| Hospitals | 36% |
| Laboratories | 35% |
| Other ambulatory healthcare services | 14% |
| Physician offices | 8% |
| Outpatient care centers | 1% |
Phlebotomist career path
Becoming certified opens the door to a number of career possibilities. You could move into several industries easily with experience as a phlebotomy technician. Some possible career paths you can transition to are:
- Clinical laboratory scientist
- Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
- Professor or trainer
- Medical assistant
- Blood donor recruiter
- Histotechnologist
- Sales representative or medical device companies
These are just a few areas you can move into. As a phlebotomist, you can choose different specialties like research or pediatrics. Some schools are more focused on healthcare, while others offer more general programs.
You may want to get more experience and earn more money by becoming a level two technician. This may take a thousand more hours of training, but it opens up new career paths.
How much does a phlebotomist get paid in South Dakota?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomists make an average hourly wage of $16.80. This equals $34,950 per year. Wage depends on your employer and the hours you work. The top 10% of earners made $21.47 per hour, which comes out to $44,660 per year.
| Metro Area | Phlebotomists Employed | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Wage |
| Rapid City, SD | 120 | $ 16.61 | $ 34,540 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 100 | $ 18.10 | $ 37,650 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 160 | $ 16.65 | $ 34,630 |
Useful links
Check out the links below to find out more about an exciting career in healthcare or science.
- Phlebotomist jobs in South Dakota on Indeed
- NPA national phlebotomy license verification
- National Phlebotomy Association (NPA)
- National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- American Certification for Healthcare (ACA)
- American Allied Health National Certification (CPT)
- American Medical Techniques (AMT)
- American Society for Clinical Lab Science (ASCLS)
- American Society for Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC)
- National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)