Phlebotomy Technician

What is a Phlebotomy Technician? Phlebotomy technicians are trained to draw blood. It’s the practice of piercing a patient’s vein and collecting a sample for testing to inform potential treatments and procedures. They’re also trained to calm patients and make the process as comfortable as possible. In Ultimate Medical Academy’s Phlebotomy Technician program, your coursework will focus on the skills necessary for this important healthcare field. In UMA’s Phlebotomy Technician program, your experience matters to us. We offer a blended learning format that includes a campus environment with the added benefit of online learning features. You’ll attend labs on a weekly basis while also being able to access lectures and other course material from the comfort of your home. Prepare to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).3 While graduates will be prepared to take an applicable certification examination to enhance their employment prospects, they are not required to sit for this examination. Working as a Phlebotomy Technician When you enroll in the Phlebotomy Technician Diploma Program at UMA's Clearwater Campus, you'll learn such topics as blood collection procedures, medical terminology, the handling of specimens, and more. You'll also partake in an on-site externship. During this time, you'll get real-world, hands-on experience under supervision. This can be a great way to learn the practical skills necessary for a career as a phlebotomy technician. Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations. This field is projected to have 18,400 job openings each year, on average, over that decade.1

Ultimate Medical Academy was founded in 1993 to serve the Tampa community’s need to train healthcare professionals, launched its online campus in 2009, and since 2015 has been owned by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (now Vocate Education Solutions). UMA says it has supported more than 100,000 graduates.

• UMA is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education.
• Many programs are fully online, and tech support is available 24/7.
• Standardized testing is not required to enroll: no SAT, GMAT, GRE or ACT.
• Tuition includes coursework materials (textbooks, e-books and software), online and on-campus libraries with librarian support, and externship or professional practice experience in select programs.
• Student support includes one-on-one academic assistance, a personalized student portal, committed advisors from start to finish, and laptops for those who qualify.
• Certification preparation, where applicable, with exam-focused material and support at no additional cost.
• Job search assistance that begins before graduation, resume and mock interview sessions, and ongoing alumni services.

General admissions requirements. Before enrolling, prospective students must have completed a valid high school diploma or equivalent (a standard diploma, official home-schooling, a GED, HiSET or TASC, a state-recognized equivalency certificate, or a DD-214 showing high school completion; special diplomas are not accepted), be proficient in verbal and written English, and be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Florida. Students in an entirely online program must pass an Identity Verification (IDV) check.

Enrollment steps. Applicants interview with admissions, complete all required admission documents and an Attestation of High School Graduation or Equivalent, participate in orientation before the program starts, and attend a financial aid appointment. A Level I background check must be completed satisfactorily by the eighth calendar day after the start (Level II for Patient Care Technician). Every new student is first registered on a provisional basis for the first module (the first two modules for Health Sciences - Pharmacy Technician); provisionally registered students do not pay tuition, and those who cancel during this period incur no tuition obligation. Standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT are not required.

Externship. An 80-hour clinical externship is required, offered during the site’s regularly scheduled business hours. Facilities that accept students may conduct their own background checks or drug screening.

Length. Instructional time is 12 weeks and normal time is 14 weeks for 8.0 semester credits (405 total clock hours (200 clock hours and 205 recognized outside clock hours)). Normal time is UMA’s more realistic completion estimate because it includes scheduled breaks; actual completion can vary with leaves of absence, transfer credit or repeated coursework.

Format. The program is offered at the Clearwater campus in a blended format: the didactic portion of courses is delivered via distance education and the laboratory portion on campus, with the externship in a healthcare setting. Out-of-class work is required.

Courses and starts. Each course is a module of 5 to 16 weeks depending on the program, and attendance online is based on completing academically related activities such as discussion boards, assignments and tests. Clearwater Phlebotomy Technician classes run in the evenings, with 2026 starts in January, April and August. Externship hours are based on a minimum of 30 hours per week and are offered during the site’s regular business hours; UMA does not guarantee night or weekend hours.

Tuition. Tuition for the 8.0-credit Phlebotomy Technician diploma is $1,750, calculated per program, with books included (total cost $1,750). Retake fees are charged at full tuition equal to the original cost of the course being retaken.

Financial aid. The Phlebotomy Technician program is not eligible for Federal Student Aid. Students enrolled in programs shorter than one semester are not eligible for federal financial aid; during the provisional registration period students are not billed tuition, and they are billed once they confirm their registration. UMA’s Student Finance staff at the Clearwater campus can discuss payment methods.

The program prepares students for entry-level employment as a phlebotomist in a medical office, clinic, laboratory or hospital. Phlebotomy Technicians specialize in drawing blood for analysis and are responsible for making patients comfortable, addressing anxiety and safely collecting samples while causing patients minimal discomfort.

UMA reports that graduates of this program have found entry-level work in these environments:

• Hospitals
• Doctors' offices
• Nursing homes
• Diagnostic laboratories
• Medical clinics

Certification. Students receive course preparation to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) examination offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA); graduates must meet eligibility requirements to sit for the examination.

UMA’s Career Services advisors help graduates with resume reviews, job search strategy, interview preparation and the application process, and provide on-the-job support for a graduate’s first weeks of employment. UMA does not guarantee employment.

Support from start to finish. New Student Advisors help students adjust to UMA during their first 10-15 weeks, after which each student is assigned a Learner Services Advisor who stays with them through graduation. Academic Specialists answer questions about discussions, assignments and assessments and connect students with instructors, who can also be reached during office hours or by email.

Resources. The UMA Virtual Library holds thousands of peer-reviewed, full-text articles available at any time, with a full-time librarian for research help. The Student Success Center, Wellness Center and Puma Den Information Center offer on-demand webinars, instructor sessions and help with laptops and technical support, and the UMA Student Guidance Center provides confidential counseling 24/7 at no additional cost.

Externships and careers. In select programs the Externship Team helps students find real-world experience before graduation; Certification Services helps students register for certification exams; and more than 125 Career Services advisors offer resume, interview and LinkedIn coaching, with Alumni Services continuing after graduation.

Attendance and graduation. Online attendance is based on completing academically related activities such as discussion boards, assignments and tests; students absent for 14 consecutive calendar days are withdrawn. To graduate, students complete all required courses and any externship, clinical or PPE hours, earn a minimum CGPA of 2.0, and satisfy attendance requirements.