Phlebotomy Training and Career Guide Phlebotomy Training Resources and Guides for becoming Certified as a Phlebotomist!
Phlebotomy Training in Sacramento, CA
Note: This guide is for smart individuals like yourself that are looking into becoming a Phlebotomist in or around the Sacramento area. If you have outside that area you can check out our Phlebotomy training guide for California. We also have specific guides for Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay area.
As California’s capital city, Sacramento is a bustling city with much to offer those who
call it home. It boasts a population of around 475,000, which makes it the 5th largest city
in the state.
With a rich history, the city has a great number of museums and historical points to
explore. Parks and other outdoor attractions make this city a great destination for lovers
of the great outdoors. Music, theatre, and sports are other major attractions in
Sacramento.
There are a great number of hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, and specialty
medical facilities in and around Sacramento. The average salary for a certified
phlebotomist in Sacramento is $33,000. The cost of living in California is higher than
many other parts of the country, but it makes up for it with a lifestyle that simply can’t be
matched anywhere else.
Getting Your Phlebotomy Certification in Sacramento:
The State of California is one of the few in the country that has strict regulations for
phlebotomists and other medical professionals. Some states do not ask that
phlebotomists hold their certification in order to work with patients. California does,
however.
The certification process is overseen by the California Department of Public Health.
There are some in the medical field who are not required to obtain a separate
certification for phlebotomy. These include physicians, nurses, and clinical lab scientists.
Medical assistants can also do blood draws, but only in a physician’s office, and under
supervision.
Those who wish to work as phlebotomists however will need to pursue one of the three
available certifications. If you are just starting out on your career, you’ll find that
phlebotomy is a terrific first step on the path to pursuing other careers in the medical
field.
There are three types of phlebotomy certifications in California:
1. The Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) can only do skin puncture blood collections,
i.e. finger sticks
2. The Certified Phlebotomy Technician-1 (CPT-1) can only perform skin puncture blood
collection, and also do venipuncture collections.
3. The CPT-2 is permitted to do finger sticks, venipuncture and also arterial blood draws
Blood draws can be performed on patients only on the signed order of a physician.
Phlebotomists are also not allowed to do any point of care testing, which includes
glucose tests.
Getting Your Phlebotomy Certification:
The first step on your path to obtaining one of the three phlebotomy certifications is to
undergo training at a facility that is approved by the state. There are differing
requirements for each of the three types of certifications, so there is no one-size-fits-all
program to prep you to pass the exams.
Each of the programs will require that you are 18 years of age and have graduated from
high school. An equivalency certificate is also sufficient for entering a training program.
- The Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) program will require that students
complete 20 hours of instruction in a classroom setting. You will also be required
to complete 25 skin punctures on patients.
- The Certified Phlebotomy Technician-1 (CPT-1) program will require that
students complete 20 hours of basic instruction in a classroom setting, 20 hours
of advanced instruction, and 40 hours of practical instruction. You will also be
required to complete the 25 skin punctures and 50 successful venipunctures.
- The CPT-2 is required to have 1040 hours of on-the-job experience as a CPT-1.
You will also need to complete an additional 20 hours of advanced classes, and
also 20 successful arterial punctures, under supervision.
These courses will prepare you for the corresponding certification exam. It is worth
noting that once you get your certification, you will be able to work as a phlebotomist for
any medical facility in the state.
The National Phlebotomy Certifications:
If you already have your national certification and you are moving to California from
another state, you may be surprised to learn that your national certification will not be
sufficient for allowing you to legally work with patients in Sacramento.
What this means is that you will need to undergo the process of getting your
certifications in California.
While this can be a bit of an irritation for someone who has worked as a phlebotomist
for many years, the good news is that once you have the certification in hand, you’ll be
able to get work as a phlebotomist in any part of the state.
There is no need to maintain your national certification if you do have it, so if you want
to keep up with it, it is entirely up to you. Many do opt to keep up with their national
phlebotomist certification so that they have the ability to land a job in any part of the
country, at any time.
Your certification with the State of California will be valid for two years. It’s important that
you keep on top of your phlebotomy certification so that you are assured of continual
employment.
Selecting the right Training Facility:
Keep in mind that not all programs are created equally. It’s vital that you get into a
training program that has been state-approved. While some schools do offer online
programs, not all of the programs that you look into will be suitable and state-approved.
MTI College:
MTI College offers a phlebotomy program that is fully approved by the State, and will
prepare students for sitting their exams. Students are required to demonstrate that they
have medical coverage, and liability insurance.
Official Website:
http://www.mticollege.edu/programs/healthcare-training-medical-assistant-phlebotomy/
Elk Grove Adult & Community Education:
Elk Grove Adult & Community Education offers small class sizes so that you can get
individualized attention. Accredited and offering budget-friendly options for financing,
this course will definitely prep you to pass your exams.
Website:
https://egace-egusd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente – School of Allied Health Sciences provides a 320 hour class that
includes 80 hours of classroom instruction, 80 hours of lab times, and 160 hours of
clinical rotation. Class sizes are small and generally fill up rapidly, so students are
encourage to apply as soon as possible.
Website:
https://kpsahs.kp.org/programs/short_term_classes/phlebotomy/
More Phlebotomy Certification Schools in the Sacramento Area:
SIMI VALLEY ADULT SCHOOL & CAREER INSTITUTE
BAY AREA MEDICAL ACADEMY
BAY AREA MEDICAL ACADEMY
PHLEBOTOMY TRAINING SPECIALISTS
FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES
FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES (at National Univ)
UNIVERSAL SCHOOLS & COLLEGES of Health and Human Services
UNIVERSAL SCHOOLS & COLLEGES of Health and Human Services
UNIVERSAL SCHOOLS & COLLEGES of Health and Human Services
UNIVERSAL SCHOOLS & COLLEGES of Health and Human Services
Resources used in this Post:
The average salary for Phlebotomists was calculated using data from Salary.com.
The image at the top of this post comes courtesy of Wikimedia commmons.
