Phlebotomists work in hospitals, health clinics and laboratories to draw blood from patients for various testing purposes. Most states do not require phlebotomy technicians to be licensed or certified; California, Louisiana and Nevada are the only states with any sort of regulations governing the education, training, experience and certification requirements of phlebotomists. Illinois phlebotomy requirements vary by employer; qualifications range from a high school diploma to completion of a training program and voluntary certification.

High School Diploma or GED Equivalent

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Phlebotomists in Illinois are typically required to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Secondary students interested in a phlebotomy career should take classes in biology, chemistry, health, mathematics and English. Students should also consider taking courses in a foreign language; bilingual healthcare workers are increasingly in demand.

Phlebotomy Training Program

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Most employers and institutions that grant phlebotomy certification require applicants to attend a professional phlebotomy-training program. Programs are available at community colleges and vocational/technical learning centers. Program lengths vary; Moraine Valley Community College, located in a suburb of Chicago, reports its program takes two semesters of part-time attendance to complete. According to Education-Portal.com, phlebotomy students are typically trained in phlebotomy medical terminology, CPR, patient interaction principles, legal aspects of blood collection, introduction to phlebotomy clinical practices and blood collection techniques.

On-the-Job Experience

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Illinois phlebotomists with on-the-job training may obtain certification if they desire. The American Society for Clinical Pathology, headquartered in Chicago, certifies phlebotomists who have a high school diploma and at least one year of full-time (minimum 35 hours per week) experience working as a phlebotomy technician in an accredited laboratory regulated by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Applicants must have worked in a lab within the five years prior to their application for certification, and have experience performing venipunctures and skin punctures.

Certification

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Illinois phlebotomists can earn a phlebotomy technician certification through three additional certifying bodies: the American Medical Technologists, the American Association of Bioanalysts and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel. General requirements are a high school diploma or GED equivalent, completion of a formal training program in phlebotomy, extensive work experience in phlebotomy or certification in another clinical medical specialty, and passing a certification exam.