Phlebotomy Programs in California

How to Become a Phlebotomist in California and Phlebotomy Programs in California

If you have been to a hospital or doctor’s office recently, you have probably used the services of a phlebotomist. A phlebotomist is a medical expert whose focus in on the analysis of blood. While the phlebotomist is not always the individual who actually takes and labels your blood sample, he or she is the medical mind in charge of ensuring that it is treated and analyzed properly. Phlebotomy is the basis for medical evaluation of literally hundreds of thousands of different ailments — so as the medical profession and medical facilities grow, so does phlebotomy. If you are wondering how to become a phlebotomy in California, here’s the scoop.

Phlebotomy programs in California offer cutting edge technology and training. You will usually have to achieve a two-year associate’s degree or an accelerated one-year certificate in order to be accepted as a phlebotomist in California. Phlebotomist certification is handled by the California Department of Health, which also oversees professional licensure in a variety of other fields in California. As of 2009, the governor installed amended standards for phlebotomists and other medical support professionals — however, it is also easier to apply for licensure, as the entire process can be handled online after graduating from an accredited, CDH-approved program in phlebotomy.

Median salary for a California phlebotomist will exceed $43,000, which is several thousand dollars higher than the national median. Large California hospitals are the biggest employers of phlebotomists, who will usually focus their initial job search in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Huntington Memorial Hospital and Kaiser Permanente Medical Center are all possibilities. What’s more, many campuses of the University of California system also operate their own prestigious teaching hospitals, giving new phlebotomists a chance to learn under the best conditions possible — or expand their skill sets by advancing to higher levels of medical training.

In most areas of the country, the phlebotomist is the most visible medical support professional. While it is difficult to pin down statistics for the expected level of growth for this role, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical care is one of the fastest growing areas of the economy. Common rates of growth range from 30% to 70%, with 40% or 50% being typical. As the average age of residents in the United States continues to rise, phlebotomists will find more opportunities — including research opportunities at private employers. Medical research centers located in and around the Silicon Valley area may be tempting.