Despite having fewer schools compared to the rest of the US, future phlebotomists from Alaska (especially those residing in remote areas), can opt for distance & online training. In this case, the classroom portion of the course can be taken online.
However, the school will have to arrange a laboratory (practical) portion of your training with an approved facility. Usually, it’s the school’s responsibility to make this kind of arrangement with the clinical facility.
Training a specialist with narrow set of skills in such a remote area makes no sense. As a result, Alaskan phlebotomy courses are have an extensive curriculum, which includes a wide range of subjects that you will find useful in your daily job.
A phlebotomy program can also include ECG (Electrocardiograpy) training, instruction on how to collect non-blood specimens like heart enzymes or amniotic fluid, forensic and toxicology specimens.
So, regardless of whether you are enrolled in a Phlebotomy or Medical / Clinical Assistant program in one of bigger cities like Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau, or an online school, your curriculum will usually consist of the following subjects:
The above list is by no means full, and depending on the schools and program, other subjects may be introduced.
When it comes to pre-requisites, Alaska is no different to other states in the nation. At a minimum, you will need a GED to become enrolled in a school.
In Alaska, locations where you can take a Phlebotomy or Medical Assistance class are limited to Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.
License required: No
Certification required: No
There are no state licensure requirements in Alaska for phlebotomists. Still, you may want to take a voluntary certification and from either the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA) or American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (APT).
Completing one of the training programs suggested on this page will be enough to become qualified for either of these exams.
Having one of these credentials on hand will help you find a job with better wages and job security.
Alaska is a relatively expensive state to live in. However, salaries for phlebotomy technicians are lower than national average:
You can see detailed breakdown of salaries for metropolitan areas below:
Division of Public Health – Alaska Department
Website: http://dhss.alaska.gov/
Phone: (907) 269-7800
Address: 3601 C Street, Suite 902 Anchorage, Alaska 99503