Posted By Carly Miller on Dec 13, 2022 | 10 comments

Becoming a traveling phlebotomist is a great way to expand your career and receive extra perks that normal salaried phlebotomists do not.

To start your journey of becoming a traveling phlebotomist, you must first be licensed in phlebotomy. It is also recommended to receive some experience and training in the field before pursuing a travel career.

Once you have completed all the requirements necessary to become a phlebotomist in your home state, you must check the requirements for each state you wish to work in.

Requirements vary across states, with some requiring certification and licensure and others requiring neither.

Before looking for traveling phlebotomist job openings, it is important to understand the phlebotomy industry and what it takes to become a phlebotomist.

How to Become a Phlebotomist

To become a phlebotomist, a person must have graduated with a high school education or gain a GED equivalent.

After this, a person can pursue a license from an official phlebotomy program. These programs are designed to help you develop the specific skills needed to excel in a career as a phlebotomist.

Licensure programs can be pursued through a vocational school, technical school, or community college.

Even if your state does not have certification requirements, it is still recommended to pursue official certification. Many organizations will require you to pass a certification exam.

Continuing education will help you enhance your skills and stand out amongst other phlebotomist candidates. Certified phlebotomists often have access to more jobs and higher salaries.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Phlebotomist

The time it takes to become a phlebotomist depends on the training program you choose and the state you are located in.

While some states require more training hours than others, phlebotomy school typically ranges from several weeks to one year.

If you can take classes throughout the week instead of on weekends, your program may end faster.

How to Get a Phlebotomy Certification

After graduating from your initial phlebotomy training program, you can pursue certification. Each organization has unique requirements and testing processes to become certified.

There are several well-recognized organizations with which you can receive certification, including:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Becoming certified by a well-known organization is recommended as more employers will recognize it. This may help you when it comes time to find jobs.

Phlebotomist Job Description

Phlebotomists are an essential part of the healthcare industry that acts as a bridge between patients and doctors. Phlebotomists draw blood samples from patients through needle insertion. Blood samples are collected for lab testing or other medical purposes.

To properly collect samples, phlebotomists must have proven experience drawing blood and other types of fluid.

What Does a Phlebotomist Do

The primary duties and responsibilities of phlebotomists involve safely removing blood. However, phlebotomists must also be able to explain the phlebotomy process to patients appropriately. Keeping patients informed and comfortable can help to ease the process of blood withdrawal.

After blood withdrawal, phlebotomists must accurately label and sort fluid samples.

Depending on work locations, a phlebotomist may have extra duties beyond blood withdrawal. A phlebotomist may need to work collaboratively with nurses and doctors in a hospital or clinic setting.

Where can a Phlebotomist Work?

There are many different settings where regular phlebotomists can work, including:

• Hospital setting
• Private Healthcare Clinic
• Doctor’s office
• Diagnostic lab
• Blood Banks
• Outpatient Care Facility
• Blood Drives
• Nursing Homes

Mobile Phlebotomy

Despite their similar connections, mobile phlebotomists and traveling phlebotomists are different. While the steps to become a mobile phlebotomist are similar to those to become a traveling phlebotomist, the fields have significant differences.

A mobile phlebotomist does not work on-site but travels to patients’ homes and personal residences. Unlike traveling phlebotomists who can choose to work in hospitals or other clinics, a mobile phlebotomist works in various locations.

Many mobile phlebotomists set their own hours or work on demand. Patient blood samples are then processed in a mobile lab location.

Benefits of Traveling Phlebotomy

Pursuing a job in traveling phlebotomy allows you to travel worldwide and gives you some freedom within your employment.

As a traveling phlebotomist, you can choose your work location, build a job schedule that works for you, and gain additional skills and confidence in the field.

As a traveling phlebotomist, you may be able to find a higher-salary entry-level position as opposed to a regular phlebotomist or mobile phlebotomist. You also may be able to find unique job openings in areas you have never explored before.

Traveling Phlebotomist Salary

According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a traveling phlebotomist is $53,295. This is significantly higher than the national average salary for normal phlebotomists, which is $37,380, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Travel Phlebotomy Careers

Ready to pursue some traveling phlebotomy jobs with more flexibility and better pay? There is plenty of opportunity waiting for you!

If you are interested in pursuing a travel phlebotomy career, now is the time to take the first step. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

To find jobs available now, check out our massive job board full of traveling phlebotomist opportunities.

Apply Now if you are ready to search for some top travel agencies for your first travel phlebotomy assignment.