Phlebotomy Training and Career Guide Phlebotomy Training Resources and Guides for becoming Certified as a Phlebotomist!
Phlebotomy Certification in Los Angeles:
The City of Angels, Los Angeles holds the distinction of being the second-largest city in
the country, behind New York City. With a population that exceeds 3,700,000, it is the
most populous of all cities in the state of California.
LA is a city with a booming economy that is fueled the many industries that call the city
home. From Hollywood and celebrity studded streets to business and international
trade, global media giants, high fashion, sports, education, research, and of course the
healthcare industry.
The cost of living inside the city limits can be quite high, even for California standards.
But this also reflects on the salaries that are offered in this very wealth-infused city.
Phlebotomists in Los Angeles can expect to earn an average of $34,000 (source: Salary.com). This salary
could be impacted by a few factors, but is still considered to be good compensation for
this line of work.
The Certification Process in Los Angeles:
If you have your national certification from having worked in another state, it is important
to recognize that the State of California has strict regulations in place for those who
work as a phlebotomist (you can read our Certification guide for California for more information). Some states do not require
that medical professionals hold a phlebotomy certification in order to do blood draws. However, the State of California does.
The California Department of Public Heath oversees the certification process, and
evaluates whether individuals are qualified to work as phlebotomists.
Medical professionals who are licenses as nurses, physicians, and clinical lab scientists
can perform blood draws without the need to obtain a separate certification for
phlebotomy. Medical assistants can only do blood draws in a physician’s office, and
must be supervised. For those who want to work strictly as phlebotomists, there are
three types of certifications that can be pursued. Keep in mind that phlebotomy is a
great stepping stone on to other careers in the medical field.
California offers three phlebotomy certification types.
1. The Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) can only do skin puncture blood
2. The Certified Phlebotomy Technician-1 (CPT-1) can only perform skin
3. The CPT-2 is permitted to do finger sticks, venipuncture and also arterial
collections; i.e. finger sticks puncture blood collections, and also do venipuncture collections blood draws
Phlebotomists are not permitted to perform any point of care testing. This could include,
as an example, doing a glucose test on a patient. Blood draws can only be performed
with the signed order of a licensed physician.
How Do You Get Your Phlebotomy Certification in Los Angeles?
The first step to getting any of the three types of phlebotomy certifications is to complete a
phlebotomy training program at a State approved training facility. The requirements for
phlebotomy certification also differ for each of the three types of phlebotomy technicians. All
programs do require that students have graduated from high school, or have the equivalency in
hand.
- The Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) program requires 20 hours of classroom
instruction. The LPT must also complete 25 successful skin punctures on patients in a
clinic setting
- The Certified Phlebotomy Technician-1 (CPT-1) program requires 20 hours of classroom
instruction, 20 hours of advanced instruction, and 40 hours of practical instruction. The
CPT-1 must also complete skin punctures and 50 successful venipunctures
- The CPT-2 is required to have 1040 hours of on-the-job experience as a CPT-1. The CPT-
2 must also complete an additional 20 hours of advanced classes, and also 20 successful
arterial punctures, under supervision.
Once you have your certification in hand, you will be able to work in any medical facility in the
State of California.
National Certifications and Renewals:
Moving to Los Angeles from another state will very often mean that you need to take the steps to
obtain your phlebotomy certification all over again, as per the strict guidelines put in place by the
State of California.
Some states do not require those performing blood draws to be licensed phlebotomists, but
California does. All individuals working as a phlebotomist must obtain the right training and
certifications prior to working with patients.
If you have earned your national certification as a phlebotomist, you’ll find that it is not
sufficient to land a job in Los Angeles.
The good news however is that once you have earned your phlebotomy certification in Los
Angeles, you’ll be able to get work in any medical facility in the State of California.
The state does not require that you maintain your national certification, so it up entirely your
choice as to whether you want to renew it when it expires. Your certification for the state will be
valid for two years. Be sure to keep up with renewing your phlebotomy certification so that you
don’t inadvertently find yourself unable to keep the job that you love.
Selecting the right Training School:
Remember that you must complete your phlebotomy training at one of the training facilities that
has been approved by the state. You may opt for an online program through an out of state
facility that might not necessarily meet the requirements of the State of California
LA Vocational Institute
The LA Vocational Institute is located in the heart of the city. The 4 week program spans 115
hours, and will offer students the classroom instruction, along with the hours needed for clinical
experience.
Their Official Website:
http://www.lavocational.com/contact/contact.html
The California School of Health Science
The California School of Health Science offers both classroom and online instruction options.
The course is affordable for all budgets, and will prepare students to take the certification exams.
The UCLA Center for Prehospital Care offers a comprehensive course that covers all aspects of
the duties of a phlebotomist. UCLA also requires that students take a Phlebotomy preparation
course, prior to taking the certification course. The prep course addresses the areas that students
are most often found to struggle with.
https://www.cpc.mednet.ucla.edu/course/phlebotomy
You Can Search For More Schools Here:
Fortis College-Montgomery
University of Alaska Anchorage
Alaska Career College
Phoenix College
Coconino Community College
Pima Community College
Brookline College-Phoenix
Brookline College-Tucson
Yavapai College
