Phlebotomy is a growing field that can lead to many lucrative opportunities, and it offers good pay and the chance to be a vital part of the medical community. If you’re interested in certified phlebotomy training, look at our large list of schools and explore your options. You can also learn about salary, What It’s like on the job, and what you can expect from training.
What do phlebotomists do?
Phlebotomists are primarily responsible for drawing blood and preparing specimens for diagnostics. They work with people and families often. Other duties include patient correspondence and maintaining records. They also perform basic lab tests for quality control and collect non-blood samples as well. Phlebotomists must also have knowledge of all HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
It’s not uncommon for a phlebotomist to transition quickly into a nursing role. Some qualities that are beneficial to have are communication skills, a professional attitude, compassion, good organizational skills, and emotional intelligence. In many of the roles, you’ll also be working under pressure. A large part of the job involves keeping patients comfortable and safe.
We’ve compiled this list so you can browse schools and narrow down the ones that you’re interested in. On the websites, there is plenty of information about what you’ll be studying in the course and how many units you’ll need to complete. We recommend that you compare several schools to see which one may be best for you.
South Carolina phlebotomy program requirements
Schools are very affordable, and you may even be able to get assistance if you are part of a program at a community college. To enroll in a certification one program, you need to be:
- 18 years of age
- Up to date on all your current immunizations
- High school graduate or equivalent
To train phlebotomists to take the certification exam, schools must be )accredited by national associations. These bodies oversee licensing and testing. The tests will vary based on the national test provider you register with.
What to expect from phlebotomy classes
Students must gain a mastery of the blood drawing procedure, which involves collecting samples and monitoring patients. They need to handle samples correctly, choose the appropriate tools, label them correctly, and move them in a timely manner. Below are some other subjects you’ll study if you enroll:
- Hematology (the study of blood and blood-forming tissues)
- Chemistry
- Immunology
- Blood forming tissues
- Histology (the study of human body tissues and cells)
- Safety and sanitation
- Laws and regulations
- Medical terms
Substitutions may be surprised to learn that there are lots of soft skills covered in training. This is because you’ll need to learn how to deal with people in most settings. You’ll develop your people skills as well as organizational skills.
Training consists of classroom study and practice in a clinical setting. This is the minimum. Once you complete your hours, you’ll be ready to take the national phlebotomist exam.
Where can I work as a phlebotomist in South Carolina?
You can work anywhere after you become certified. While certification is not required in South Carolina, it’s almost standard for those with no experience to require a certification to get hired. Even if you have experience, it may give you an edge over your competition in the job market.
You’ll most likely be working in outpatient or inpatient centers if you are in healthcare. Outpatient centers include places like physicians’ offices or schools where the people you treat leave the same day. Inpatient centers allow patients to stay for an extended period of time.
Phlebotomy jobs in South Carolina
South Carolina has around 2,260 phlebotomists in the state. This is estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in a report published in May of .2021. Job growth is estimated to rise by 10% from the years 2020 to 2030
As we mentioned, most phlebotomists work in healthcare, but there are lots of other places you’ll find phlebotomist technicians.
- Hospitals
- Research laboratories
- Home health care agencies (HMOs)
- Blood banks
- Home healthcare agencies
- Ambulatory centers
| 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 sky’s the limit, and there’s always work in medical care because it’s something that will always be needed. There are plenty of opportunities to advance your career, including getting a level 2 certificate that allows you to do arterial punctures. Long-term career options you may want to explore:
- Registered nurse
- Laboratory technician
- EMT or paramedic
- It still technician
- Laboratory science
- Molecular biologist
There are many other options if you want to move into entrepreneurship or business. Many become traveling teachers that hold workshops and seminars. Other phlebotomist experts made you specialize in a very specific area, such as animal care, pediatrics, or geriatrics.
How much does a phlebotomist get paid in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, phlebotomists make an average mean wage of $17.72 per hour and an average yearly salary of $36,860.
Phlebotomy salaries in South Carolina vary a bit depending on the local metro area.
| Metro Area | Phlebotomists Employed | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Wage |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 340 | $ 17.73 | $ 36,880 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 340 | $ 18.69 | $ 38,880 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1,230 | $ 19.08 | $ 39,680 |
| Columbia, SC | 370 | $ 17.86 | $ 37,160 |
| Florence, SC | 100 | $ 17.42 | $ 36,230 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 420 | $ 17.88 | $ 37,190 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 40 | $ 17.21 | $ 35,790 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 220 | $ 17.63 | $ 36,670 |
Useful links
The links below can help you on your journey.
- Phlebotomist jobs in South Carolina 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)