Phlebotomy Training in Iowa

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If you are thinking of taking phlebotomy training and pursuing career in the medical field, there has been no better time to reach those goals than right now. With our current rapidly aging population, medical field workers can look forward to many opportunities for growth in a variety of healthcare opportunities.

Phlebotomy, also referred to as venipuncture, is the science of drawing blood for medical purposes and provides an excellent opportunity for entry into the field of healthcare.  Phlebotomists, or Phlebotomy Technicians, are specially trained to work in clinical laboratories, collecting blood for a multitude of purposes, including transfusions, and healthcare testing.  A career in phlebotomy will include a variety of possible settings and duties, some of which may include:

  • Working at blood drive stations to collect blood for blood banks for the purpose of transfusions.
  • Working in blood banks facilities.
  • Working in hospitals, to collect blood samples from patients.
  • Working in clinics or doctors’ offices, to collect and test blood samples from patients.
  • Testing blood in a variety of public and private laboratory settings.
  • Working with infants and children using specialized strategies and instruments such as butterfly needles or heel sticks.
  • Performance of a variety of blood collection strategies, such as venipuncture in order to collect large quantities of blood, and finger sticks when only small quantities are required.
  • Specialized techniques such as drawing blood from capillaries or arteries near the wrist.

Phlebotomy is clearly an exciting and growing field which offers an abundance of career opportunities for those entering the healthcare field.  If you feel phlebotomy may be the right career choice for you, take some time to consider all of the training options, in order to ensure you are fully prepared to enter into this exciting career.

While certification is not specifically required in all states, certified applicants will surely have an edge over those who have not pursued an education that qualifies for professional certification.  There are many options in regards to phlebotomy training, so researching the topic and understanding your options is essential.  Phlebotomy training is typically offered in trade schools, community colleges, and career centers, and generally requires students to meet a pre-requisite that requires attainment of a high-school diploma or GED.

Phlebotomy training can last anywhere from four months to just over one year depending on the program chosen.  Most phlebotomy training programs will offer a wide array of course work that pertains to the practice of drawing blood from a variety of patient types, as well extensive classroom work which should include proper laboratory procedures.  Students can expect to take courses that prepare them in the legalities of blood collection practices, safety in blood collection, communication (with patients, families, as well as other healthcare workers), as well as physiology, anatomy, blood composition, and laboratory methods, along with blood collection techniques and practical experience requirements.

There is a substantial job market for qualified and well trained phlebotomy professionals in Iowa, and the demand is growing steadily. Students considering a career in this fascinating medical field will be responsible for drawing blood specimens from people that desire to donate blood or require testing for health purposes. There is no requirement for phlebotomy certification in Iowa, but the more education one has, the better their job opportunities will be. In fact, finding an employer could be next to impossible without proper training.

Prerequisites for Phlebotomy Courses in Iowa

To get started taking your phlebotomy classes in Iowa, you will need to have completed high school or received a GED. This is the bare minimum that is required by most technical schools or training hospitals. To enter into a university or community college for courses, one will need to provide a bit more information and take assessment examinations to determine their level of college readiness. Additionally, before undergoing any phlebotomy training in a lab setting to perform vein punctures to draw blood, you will need to have a physical exam to establish a clean bill of health.

Description of Phlebotomy Training in Iowa

Be ready to learn about the human body, basic anatomy, and receive in-depth instruction on the vein system in the human body. Classes will heavily focus on sanitation, infection control, and other core essentials to succeed in the field of phlebotomy. Training courses will discuss basic computer literacy, office decorum, and how to handle patients that are fearful of the process of giving blood. The most instrumental instruction will include time in a lab setting where you will practice the trade on actual patients. A certain number of successful skin pricks and internship hours will be necessary to pursue certification and licensing from an accredited agency nationwide.

Expected Phlebotomist Salary in Iowa

A trained phlebotomist in Iowa can expect a beginning annual wage near $29,500, and there will be room for advancement depending on your employer. Salary differs in various parts of the state, and urban environments typically offer higher wages.

Top Phlebotomy Institutions in Iowa

Phlebotomy Training in Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa-Carver College of Medicine
451 Newton Road
200 Medicine Administration Building
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 335-6707

Phlebotomy Training in Sioux City, Iowa

Mercy Medical Center
801 5th Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
(712) 279-2371

St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center
2720 Stone Park Boulevard
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 279-3967

Phlebotomy Courses in Des Moines, Iowa

Mercy College of Health Sciences
928 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 643-6772

Phlebotomy Courses in Fort Dodge, Iowa

Iowa Central Community College
1 Triton Circle
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(800) 362-2793

Phlebotomy Classes in Waterloo, Iowa

Hawkeye Community College
1501 East Orange Road
PO Box 8015
Waterloo, IA 50704
(319) 296-2320

Allen College
1825 Logan Avenue
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 226-2082

Phlebotomy Education in Arkeny, Iowa

Des Moines Area Community College
2006 S. Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 964-6296

Phlebotomy Training in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa Western Community College
2700 College Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 325-3200
or
(800) 432-5852
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