Home » Phlebotomy Classes Near You in North Carolina
Phlebotomy Classes Near You in North Carolina
Are you interested in starting an exciting career in the healthcare or science industries? The first step is getting the right training. This page includes what you need to know to become a practicing phlebotomist. We have a large list of schools for you to browse through and plenty of information on what you can expect during training and what your career path may look like.
Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood. Phlebotomists are professionals that collect blood and prepare it for laboratory analysis. There are a variety of skills and personal characteristics that good phlebotomists develop.
The core job skills center around obtaining blood specimens by venipuncture (puncturing the vein) or dermal puncture (puncturing the skin). Modern blood drawing procedure includes identifying the patient, choosing the appropriate equipment, preparing the collection site, and making sure the patient is comfortable and aware of the risks involved during the procedure.
Non-blood specimen sample collection duties vary based on where you work, but most phlebotomists perform quality control testing. In a healthcare setting, you will also do things like taking blood pressure and vital signs.
We’ve got a big list of schools for you to browse so you can narrow down your options. The best school for you should fit your budget and schedule and align with your goals. If you’d like to learn more, please contact the school for answers to specific questions.
Phlebotomy classes can take anywhere from one to two semesters to complete on average. This is much shorter than other programs like LPN training which pay similar and teach similar subjects. Before you apply, make sure that you:
Are 18 years old
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Have proof of immunization records
Are up to date with all your shots for major pathogens such as TB and hepatitis
There are various national organizations that provide schools with accreditation and oversee the certification process. You can get certified by one or more of these organizations. Two popular agencies are the American society of phlebotomy technicians (ASPT) and American allied health national certification (CPT).
After you graduate from training, you will be eligible to take the level one phlebotomy technician certification test. Level one certification includes skin puncture and venipuncture. Level 2 certification takes longer to obtain because it involves arterial puncture blood collection and other advanced phlebotomy skills.
Once you are certified, you must complete continuing education courses (CEUs) every two years to keep your certification active. These are also provided and regulated by bodies like the ASPT.
What to expect from phlebotomy classes
Most of your training will focus on the technical skills required to collect blood. Basic medical knowledge will also be part of the coursework. Here are some subjects that CPT training will cover:
Hematology
Microbiology
Chemistry
Histology
Immunology
Anatomy
The history of phlebotomy
Sanitation
Ethics and laws
You receive at least 20 hours of Hands-On training in a clinical setting in 20 hours of classroom study. You’ll learn how to properly handle lab analysis, perform venipunctures and skin punctures, and organize samples, among other things.
Where can I work as a phlebotomist in North Carolina?
There are two main settings that the majority of phlebotomists work in. Outpatient centers and inpatient centers. Outpatient settings are places like walking facilities or patients come to during business hours. Inpatient centers are places where patients stay for an indefinite amount of time.
You’ll be working with coworkers and patience if you’re in a healthcare setting. Research lab settings are more technical and less customer-oriented in nature. You may be organizing samples and performing basic lab tests most of the day.
Inpatient settings could be nursing homes, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers. Outpatient facilities include physician’s offices, home health care agencies, off-site labs, and blood banks.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that there are over 5,300 phlebotomists working in the state of North Carolina. Most of the job opportunities are in healthcare and research. Some places you may end up working at are:
Ambulatory facilities
Scientific research laboratories
On-site hospital laboratories
Veterinarian’s offices
Physicians’ offices
Schools
Where Phlebotomists Work
% of Jobs
Hospitals
36%
Laboratories
35%
Other ambulatory healthcare services
14%
Physician offices
8%
Outpatient care centers
1%
Phlebotomist career path
The healthcare industry and scientific research industry are full of high-paying careers. Once you become a CPT, you’ll have a lot of options. With the right training, you could transition into a career as a:
Laboratory Scientist
Medical Technologist
Quality Control Specialist
Professor or Certified Trainer
Forensic Phlebotomist
Histo Technician
Doctor or Nurse
Phlebotomy Training School Owner
Supervisor
How much does a phlebotomist get paid in North Carolina?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that phlebotomists make an average of $18.40 per hour. The estimated yearly income is $38,270. Top earners made $22.16 per hour, which comes out to $46,080 per year. The job growth outlook is positive. The BLS predicted a growth rate of 10% between 2020 to 2030.
Phlebotomists’ average salaries in North Carolina also vary quite a bit from region to region.
Metro Area
Phlebotomists Employed
Avg. Hourly Wage
Avg. Annual Wage
Asheville, NC
250
$ 17.65
$ 36,720
Burlington, NC
60
$ 18.39
$ 38,240
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
1,230
$ 19.08
$ 39,680
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
510
$ 19.59
$ 40,740
Fayetteville, NC
140
$ 16.11
$ 33,520
Greensboro-High Point, NC
100
$ 19.00
$ 39,530
Greenville, NC
60
$ 17.60
$ 36,610
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
110
$ 15.84
$ 32,950
Jacksonville, NC
80
$ 16.67
$ 34,680
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC
220
$ 17.63
$ 36,670
New Bern, NC
50
$ 15.47
$ 32,170
Raleigh, NC
460
$ 19.17
$ 39,880
Rocky Mount, NC
40
$ 15.89
$ 33,050
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
540
$ 17.61
$ 36,620
Wilmington, NC
150
$ 18.23
$ 37,910
Winston-Salem, NC
520
$ 18.69
$ 38,870
Best North Carolina Cities For Taking Phlebotomy Classes
