Are you looking to learn a valuable skill? Becoming a certified phlebotomy technician is a great way to enter a thriving industry and start a lucrative career. You can find helpful information here if you are curious or ready to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy class. Browse through our big list of schools to find a training program near you.
What do phlebotomists do?
Phlebotomy literally means to make an incision into a vein. Phlebotomy is derived from the Greek words phlebo, which translates to vein, and tome, which translates to cut or make an incision. A phlebotomist is a professional who collects blood samples and prepares them for laboratory analysis.
Phlebotomists are vital to the healthcare industry. If you work in a clinical setting, much of your day will be spent dealing with patients and organizing samples. Phlebotomists need to be able to handle stressful situations and multitask. They also need good organizational skills and good people skills. If this sounds like you, you might be perfect for this job.
Check out the list of schools below to see if any of the schools look right for you. We recommend that you take your time doing research because training programs vary from school to school. If you can’t find information on the web, please contact the school for answers to your questions or concerns.
Oregon phlebotomy program requirements
Enrolling in classes is a good idea if you want to learn a valuable skill and start working immediately. It’s relatively short to earn a certification compared to other technical skills that are just as difficult and pay similar salaries. Before you enroll, you must:
- Be 18 years old
- Submit to a background check
- Provide up-to-date immunization records
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Accredited institutions are the only ones that can refer you to take the certification test. The tests are overseen by accreditation bodies such as the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA), or the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASP).
These organizations oversee the testing process as well as certification renewals. If you pass the test, you’ll have to renew your license every two years to stay current.
What to expect from phlebotomy classes
Phlebotomy is technical in nature, and you must display the ability to collect blood safely and properly handle samples. Not only that, you’ll need to develop soft skills. Students learn about:
- The blood drawing procedure
- Ethics and regulations
- Patient correspondence
- Labeling and transporting samples
- Anatomy
- Histology
- Sanitation and safety
- The history of phlebotomy
- Medical terms
Schools prepare students by giving them hands-on experience as well as theoretical knowledge. Initial training programs prepare students for the CPT one test. This provides a level 1 certification based on the ability to perform venipunctures and dermal punctures. Level 2 certifications take longer to acquire. Level 2 certification programs prepare students for arterial punctures and other difficult procedures.
Classroom work will consist of general medical knowledge. You study a wide range of basic healthcare topics. This is a great foundation for a career in other areas of healthcare or research.
Where can I work as a phlebotomist in Oregon?
Phlebotomists work in clinical settings or laboratory settings. There are also a number of other special settings they may work in. Some technicians work as traveling phlebotomists who collect samples on location and transport them to off-site labs.
You can work in inpatient clinics or outpatient clinics. Inpatient settings are places where patients stay long-term or for an indefinite amount of time. They can even stay as little as overnight. Outpatient clinics are places where people can walk in and leave on the same day.
If you’re in healthcare, you will most likely be working closely with patients and families. You may specialize in an area such as pediatrics or geriatrics. Or you may want to work in a research laboratory.
Phlebotomy jobs in Oregon
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are over 2,000 phlebotomists working in the state of Oregon. Throughout the US, most job opportunities exist in healthcare. This is a great place to start for certified phlebotomy technicians.
Oregon does not require you to have certification to practice phlebotomy, but it’s becoming normal for entry-level technicians to be certified. This not only gets you the best training available, but it also helps your job prospects. Common settings you’ll find phlebotomists working in are:
- Hospitals
- Ambulatory care centers
- Laboratories
- Blood banks
- Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
- Veterinary in offices
- 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
Phlebotomists are needed in many different places, and the training you receive depends on your employer and specialty. There are many different types of phlebotomists, including:
- Forensic phlebotomist
- Mobile phlebotomist
- Research phlebotomist
- Quality control specialists
- Point of care coordinators
- Histotechnicians
- And more
CPT can easily transition into very lucrative careers in roles as research scientists, nurses or doctors, and laboratory scientists. There are many other options too. You could go on to sales, own your own business, or become an accredited trainer. With the right experience, you’ll have a lot of opportunities.
How much does a phlebotomist get paid in Oregon?
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that phlebotomists in Oregon make an average of $21.06 per hour. This comes out to $43,800 per year.
| Metro Area | Phlebotomists Employed | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Wage |
| Albany, OR | 40 | $ 19.70 | $ 40,970 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 100 | $ 21.69 | $ 45,110 |
| Eugene, OR | 140 | $ 20.21 | $ 42,040 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 50 | $ 20.22 | $ 42,060 |
| Medford, OR | 130 | $ 19.99 | $ 41,570 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,090 | $ 22.20 | $ 46,170 |
| Salem, OR | 120 | $ 20.39 | $ 42,410 |
Useful links
See the links below for more helpful information on becoming a certified phlebotomist technician in Oregon.
- Phlebotomist jobs in Oregon 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)