How much do phlebotomists in Washington make? What does a career as a phlebotomist look like? We answer these questions and more. This website explores what it’s like to become a certified phlebotomist technician and what you can expect when you enroll in classes. We’ve compiled a large list of Washington State phlebotomy class providers including affordable and online class options for you to look at and tons of useful information to help you get started.
Phlebotomists are skilled healthcare workers trained to collect blood samples and prepare them for analysis. Phlebotomists obtained samples by venipuncture (through veins) or dermal puncture (through the skin). The main job duties of a phlebotomist involved collecting blood, labeling samples, and transporting them to the lab.
They may also perform basic lab tests and quality control. In a hospital setting, phlebotomists will work with patients and coworkers most of the day. This involves technical and soft skills.
Duties related to collecting blood include patient correspondence, point-of-care testing, and choosing the right equipment. They are often responsible for preparing the collection site and making sure the patient feels comfortable during the procedure. Phlebotomist needs to be aware of laws and regulations as well as ethical considerations.
Check out these classes to narrow down your options. Classes are structured differently depending on the program. We recommend that you explore the schools’ websites and contact them directly if you have more questions.
All accredited phlebotomy training programs answer national accreditation agencies. These agencies, such as the national phlebotomy association NPA a responsible for providing tests and setting standards. The requirements for enrolling in classes include the following:
Being 18 years of age or older
Having current immunization records for bloodborne pathogens
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
The requirements to take the certification test include completing a certain number of hours. The same organizations that provide tests oversee license renewals. Some of these organizations also provide continuing education units (CEUs). CEUs are the system that accreditation bodies such as the NPA use to monitor certification.
What to expect from phlebotomy classes
Phlebotomists need to use a combination of highly skilled techniques and a wide knowledge of healthcare medicine. While classes may last a few days or several weeks, the components of the classes will largely remain the same. Here are the core subjects phlebotomists in training study:
Anatomy and physiology
Histology
Venipuncture and dermal puncture methods
Handling and transporting samples
Collecting nonblood samples
Microbiology
Blood diseases
HIPAA and OSHA regulations
Ethics and professional issues
After you learn theory and start practicing, you will eventually get to perform blood draws unsupervised. This is usually after 20 hours of course study and 20 hours of practice under the supervision of a certified phlebotomist.
You may be surprised to learn that soft skills are an incredibly important part of this job. Even if you end up working in a lab and have minimal patient contact, you will learn all the skills you need to know to work with patients.
After your training is over, you can take the certification test. Certifications last for two years. You are required to complete a certain amount of continuing education units each renewal period. The certification body that grants you your license will have specific requirements you’ll need to follow. Often CEUs can be done entirely online.
Where can I work as a phlebotomist in Washington?
Washington is one of the four states in the US that requires certification to practice phlebotomy. The other three are California, Nevada, and Louisiana. Once you become a CPT, you can work in a variety of places and locations including Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma.
In hospitals, you’ll be working one-on-one with patients and the public. You’ll also be working with other health professionals like nurses, doctors, and nursing assistants. There are two main healthcare settings phlebotomists work – outpatient centers and inpatient centers. Outpatient centers are walk-in clinics where people come and go. Inpatient centers offer extended stays.
Phlebotomy jobs in Washington
There are lots of job opportunities in healthcare and science research for phlebotomists. Healthcare is a great place to get started because you’ll learn to use all your skills before you decide on a specialization. Below are some different areas you may want to explore:
Point of Care Coordinator
Volume Control Specialist
Research Phlebotomist
Michael Laboratory Technician
Medical Technologist
Histotechnician
Forensic Phlebotomist
Veterinary Phlebotomist
Where Phlebotomists Work
% of Jobs
Hospitals
36%
Laboratories
35%
Other ambulatory healthcare services
14%
Physician offices
8%
Outpatient care centers
1%
Phlebotomist career path
Once you get specialized training, you’ll get a better idea of where you want to take your career. There are many possibilities. You can transition into roles in many different industries or start your own business. A popular career path is to become a nurse or EMT. Others go on to become doctors and research scientists. You can start your own training center as well or even move into a corporate position as a product specialist.
Registered Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Trainer or Teacher
Histotechnologist
Genetic Counselor
Molecular Biologist
Physician
How much does a phlebotomist get paid in Washington?
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that phlebotomists in Washington make an average wage of $22.64 per hour. The average annual wage is $47,090.
Employment and salary info for Washington’s biggest metro areas show how much location can impact a phlebotomist’s salary.
Metro Area
Phlebotomists Employed
Avg. Hourly Wage
Avg. Annual Wage
Bellingham, WA
40
$ 20.89
$ 43,450
Kennewick-Richland, WA
130
$ 20.37
$ 42,370
Lewiston, ID-WA
80
$ 19.89
$ 41,360
Longview, WA
30
$ 24.47
$ 50,890
Olympia-Tumwater, WA
80
$ 21.79
$ 45,320
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
1,090
$ 22.20
$ 46,170
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
1,100
$ 23.95
$ 49,820
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
310
$ 20.43
$ 42,490
Yakima, WA
60
$ 19.41
$ 40,380
Useful links
The links below have lots of good on becoming a certified phlebotomy technician.
