Becoming a Phlebotomist in Arkansas
Quick Facts:
- Number of programs: 16
- Average graduation rate: 36%
- Average hourly wage: $14
- Projected job growth: 26% (faster than average)
- New jobs created annually, avg.: 140
Arkansas has a wide choice of Phlebotomy and Medical Assistance programs – sixteen to be specific. On top of that, you can also opt for online or hybrid program.
Combine that with faster-than-average job growth rate along with very reasonable cost of living and you have a great place to start your career as phlebotomy tech.
Description of Phlebotomy Programs in Arkansas
As a prospective phlebotomist in The Natural State you can choose a program not only in technical or community college – a lot of universities offer them, too.
With so many courses to choose from it’s a bit hard to produce a unified description, but here is what can be said about all of them.
As in other states, your training will consist of classroom instruction and clinical practice, arranged by school.
In classroom, you will usually start with CPR and First Aid course (which will include basic anatomy and physiology), followed by a theoretical Phlebotomy course, where you will learn the fundamentals. As you complete this part and receive grade C or better, you’ll be ready for clinical part.
Through practical component (clinical experience) you will learn, under supervision, how to collect blood through venipunctures, and also how to collect other specimens.
Arkansas Phlebotomy Classes Requirements
Luckily, requirements to join a phlebotomy class in Arkansas are pretty basic. You will need to provide transcripts of your high-school diploma or GED, along with immunization records (should include two MMRs and a tetanus shot).
Some schools will require you to pass a COMPASS test with minimum score of 70 for Reading.
Once you have all of the above, submit an application and you’re ready to go. When accepted, a schools may require to pass a skin TB test.
List of Arkansas Phlebotomy Classes
As mentioned above, there is no shortage of training options for phlebotomy technicians in Alabama. You can find a decent program in most major cities:
Haven’t found what you were looking for? You can always use the form below to find more opportunities and programs:
Arkansas Phlebotomy Certification and Licensure
License required: No
Certification required: No
As in the vast majority of other states (with very few exceptions), those who want to work as phlebotomists in Alabama don’t need to pass any state licensing process.
However, obtaining an optional phlebotomy certification from third-party institution may be a great idea if you’re serious about getting a better job.
Arkansas Phlebotomist Wages
It’s no surprise that phlebotomists in Arkansas earn slightly less compared to nation average. But, you also have to take into account that Arkansas in third-cheapest state to live in the US, according to Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).
Here’s a breakdown of what wages and annual salaries you can expect here:
| Percentile | USA, annual | Arkansas, annual | USA, hourly | Arkansas, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,020 | $21,260 | $12.03 | $10.22 |
| 25th percentile | $28,830 | $23,740 | $13.86 | $11.42 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,480 | $27,600 | $16.58 | $13.27 |
| 75th percentile | $40,500 | $32,310 | $19.47 | $15.53 |
| 90th percentile | $49,060 | $38,610 | $23.59 | $18.56 |
And a more detailed breakdown for different areas across the state:
Resources
Arkansas Department of Health
Website: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/
Phone: 1-800-462-0599
Address: 4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-3867