Phlebotomy Training in California & Employment Opportunities

California phlebotomy programs prepare graduates for satisfying careers in the field. To work as a phlebotomist in California, you’ll have to obtain a state license and become certified to comply with the state’s requirements.

Because this state is such a large one, there are almost unlimited opportunities for a trained phlebotomist to find a part-time or full-time job in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, doctor’s office, or blood bank.

Explore each opportunity carefully before accepting a job offer and committing to a particular position.

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Many California phlebotomists earn a much higher annual salary than phlebotomists in states like Pennsylvania or Alabama. This is due to the very high cost of living in the state. Gasoline, food, and other necessities cost much more in this state than they do in many other states, so employers must offer higher salaries to potential employees.

The median annual salary in San Jose is one of the highest at $36,525. San Francisco comes in second at $35,752, with Los Angeles close behind at $32,681. San Diego and Los Angeles have similar annual salaries, with San Diego’s trailing slightly at $31,392. Phlebotomists in the northern part of the state often receive lower salary offers than those in Central and Southern California. Redding, for example, has a median annual salary of $29,476. Phlebotomists in Eureka earn much less, with a median of $22,897.

After completing your training, look at newspapers, bulletin boards, and online job sites for job openings. Once you spot an opening relevant to your skills and experience, write a good resume and review some common interview questions for phlebotomists. This gives you an opportunity to practice your interview skills and anticipate what an interviewer might ask you.

If you live in California, there are thousands of employers in need of phlebotomists, from blood banks to private physician practices. If you are interested in working in a hospital, there are hundreds to choose from. Some of the most well-known hospitals in the state include:

• Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
• Cedars-Sinai
• UC San Diego Medical Center
• UCSF Medical Center
• Stanford Hospital and Clinics

Specialty hospitals, such as Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, are also available.

If you obtain your donor technician certification after completing your basic training, you can also work at one of the many blood banks in the state. Biomat USA, Community Blood Bank Center, Bio-Medics, Blood Centers of the Pacific, Delta Blood Bank, and the American Red Cross are just a few of the options available.