Phlebotomy Technician (PHL)

Phlebotomy technicians are vital members of the medical laboratory and clinical team. They specialize in collecting quality blood samples from patients for diagnostic laboratory testing, transfusions, research and blood donations. Beyond technical skill, phlebotomists provide compassionate, patient-centered care that eases anxiety during medical visits.

Through hands-on laboratory training and a supervised clinical externship, Pima Medical Institute’s Phlebotomy Technician program prepares students with blood collection mastery, laboratory safety knowledge and professional confidence to launch a rewarding healthcare career.

Program objective. Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy Technician Certificate Program gives you the clinical skills and professional knowledge needed to begin your career as an entry-level phlebotomy technician in approximately three months.

The program covers both the technical and interpersonal sides of the role. You will learn venipuncture, syringe, and micro-collection techniques for drawing blood and collecting clinical specimens, as well as how to handle and process those specimens correctly. Equally important, you will develop the patient care skills that set great phlebotomy technicians apart: clear communication, professional conduct and the ability to ease patient anxieties during a blood draw. Pima Medical's labs simulate real-world clinical settings so you are prepared for day one on the job.

Why Choose Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomists play a crucial role in diagnostic medicine, as up to 70% of medical decisions made by physicians depend on laboratory test results.

Phlebotomists often perform responsibilities such as:

• Performing venipunctures and capillary punctures safely
• Identifying patients and verifying test requisitions
• Selecting appropriate collection tubes for specific lab tests
• Labeling specimen tubes accurately at bedside/chairside
• Transporting and processing specimens per safety protocols
• Maintaining infection control and universal precautions
• Assisting patients with adverse reactions during draws
• Entering patient and specimen data into LIS

Core skills you’ll develop.

• Clinical: Universal precautions, infection control and OSHA safety standards
• Administrative: Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and data entry; patient confidentiality (HIPAA) and legal ethics in healthcare
• Collection: Venipuncture and capillary blood collection techniques and complications in phlebotomy and specialized collection protocols, including specimen handling, processing, preservation and transport
• Anatomy: Foundational knowledge of body systems and healthcare language needed for clinical settings
• Laboratory: Introduction to laboratory operations, equipment and professional communication with patients and clinical teams
• Patient Care: CPR First Aid; managing patient anxieties during blood draws; delivering high-quality, professional patient interactions

Continuing your education. At Pima Medical Institute, your Phlebotomy Technician Certificate is just the beginning. You can expand your clinical skills with our Medical Assistant Certificate Program , which builds on your healthcare foundation with broader clinical and administrative training. If you are interested in healthcare administration and leadership, we also offer an online Associate Degree in Health Care Administration , an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration , and an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership . Get the skills you need to move up, with the flexibility to work on your schedule from anywhere.

About Pima Medical Institute. Pima Medical Institute started changing lives in 1972, when Richard L. Luebke, Sr., and his wife, JoAnn, opened the first campus in Tucson, Arizona. Over 175,000 graduates have since advanced their education, and many are serving their communities through meaningful health care careers. The school’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing the best value in medical career education.

Eligibility requirements.

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
• Additional requirements may apply by campus

High school verification. Proof of valid high school completion or equivalent must be submitted (high school diploma or transcript, GED report and certificate, or an official associate or bachelor’s degree transcript). Pima Medical Institute does not enroll ability-to-benefit students, and applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Entrance exams. Applicants for non-degree programs are required to take the Wonderlic SLE and receive a minimum score of 14. The exam may be waived for applicants who submit official transcripts that document completion of an associate degree or higher.

Background check, drug testing and vaccinations. Depending on the program, a background check and/or drug screening may be required prior to enrollment, during the program, and/or prior to externship/clinical training; the cost of the background check/drug screen is an out-of-pocket expense. The cost of required vaccinations and titers is also an out-of-pocket expense, and students are required to follow all clinical experience vaccination requests and policies.

At a glance. Course length: 3 Months (approximate); Lab hours: 70; Class hours: 70; Externship hours: 160.

El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, East Valley, Renton and Tucson campuses. The 2026 tuition price list shows 10 semester credits and 300 clock hours over 11 weeks (day) or 13 weeks (night), including 3.5 externship credits (160 hours).

Phoenix campus. The 2026 tuition price list shows 10 semester credits and 300 clock hours over 13 weeks, including 3.5 externship credits (160 hours).

El Paso class times. Morning classes 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Monday through Friday; afternoon classes 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; night classes 5:40 PM - 10:00 PM, Monday through Thursday.

Houston class times. Morning classes 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, late morning classes 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and afternoon classes 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; night classes 5:50 PM - 10:10 PM. Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Technology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography externships are 40 hours per week.

San Antonio class times. Morning classes 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM and afternoon classes 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; night classes 5:40 PM - 10:00 PM, Monday through Thursday. Degree program class schedules vary; refer to the schedules provided by the program.

• Certification: This program prepares graduates to apply to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) credential through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).*
• Find out more: Entry-level roles
• Career advancement: With experience, phlebotomy techs can advance to senior/lead phlebotomist roles, supervising blood draw teams or managing specimen processing workflows.

Certification and state registration requirements vary.

Careers. The Phlebotomy Technician certificate program prepares students to apply for roles including:

• Phlebotomy technician
• Laboratory specimen collector
• Blood donor center technician
• Clinical lab assistant

And other related career opportunities, including

• Processing and logging laboratory specimens
• Working as a medical sales representative
• Educating future phlebotomy technicians

These careers may exist in a variety of healthcare environments, including clinical and independent laboratories, hospitals and health systems, physicians' offices, blood donor centers, public health agencies, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, research institutions, mobile laboratories and health maintenance organizations.

Job outlook. 6% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow faster than average from 2024 to 2034, with a median pay of $43,660 per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Phlebotomists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/phlebotomists.htm (visited June 07, 2026).

Career Services. When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical externships. At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Student Services. Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.

Application process.

• Submit the form below. A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
• Chat with our team. They'll ask about your goals, your background, and what's drawing you to healthcare. From there, they'll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
• Attend your campus tour. Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We'll walk you through programs and what to expect.
• We help you complete your application. Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.