Five New Programs Are Coming to IMAGE—Meet the First: Phlebotomy Technician
IMAGE is growing again—and this time, we’re expanding in a very big way.
The Institute for Medical Aesthetics & Laser has received approval from the Florida Commission for Independent Education for five new career-training programs. While we are still completing the final steps before revealing the other four, we can officially announce the first:
Phlebotomy Technician
IMAGE’s new four-week Phlebotomy Technician program, offered at our North Fort Myers campus, will combine flexible online education with essential hands-on training.
Students will attend class on campus just one day per week to develop practical skills in venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, infection control, patient identification, safety procedures, and other important areas of phlebotomy. The remainder of the program will be completed through convenient online coursework.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent, such as a GED, to enroll.
A One-Day Certificate Is Not National Certification
Not all phlebotomy training is equal.
Prospective students may see one-day classes advertised as “phlebotomy certification.” However, receiving a certificate of attendance or course completion is not the same as becoming nationally certified.
National certification requires candidates to meet the certifying organization’s eligibility requirements, document required hands-on procedures, apply for a national certification examination, and successfully pass that examination.
IMAGE’s Phlebotomy Technician program is an official career-training program approved by the Florida Commission for Independent Education. Instead of attempting to compress an entire profession into a single day, IMAGE students receive four weeks of structured education and repeated hands-on practice designed to help them develop safe, confident, and employable skills.
After successfully completing the IMAGE program and all required clinical competencies, graduates will be eligible to apply to take a national phlebotomy certification examination. Students who pass can earn a nationally recognized professional credential that many healthcare employers require or prefer.
Phlebotomists Are in High Demand
Phlebotomists play an essential role in healthcare. Blood testing is used to diagnose and monitor a wide range of medical conditions, making properly trained phlebotomy professionals an important part of the patient-care team.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 7% from 2025 through 2035—much faster than the average for all occupations. Approximately 18,000 phlebotomy job openings are projected nationwide each year during that period.
Where Can Phlebotomists Work?
Phlebotomy training can lead to opportunities in a variety of healthcare environments, including:
- Hospitals
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories
- Physicians’ and specialists’ offices
- Outpatient clinics
- Blood-donation and plasma centers
- Mobile blood-draw services
- Long-term care facilities
- Home healthcare settings
- Dermatology practices
- Medical offices and medical spas that employ trained phlebotomy personnel
A Valuable Addition to Medical Aesthetics Training
Phlebotomy training can also be an excellent complement to a background in aesthetics.
Facial specialists who want to work in medical spas, dermatology offices, plastic surgery practices, or other clinically focused environments can add phlebotomy training as a separate professional skill.
An employee who understands skin treatments, client care, sanitation, infection control, and phlebotomy may be able to support a wider range of responsibilities within a medical practice. Combining aesthetics experience with phlebotomy training can help graduates stand out, demonstrate greater versatility, and become more valuable to employers seeking team members with both aesthetic and clinical knowledge.
Each credential retains its own professional scope, and all services must be performed in accordance with applicable laws, employer policies, and required medical supervision. However, adding complementary healthcare skills can create more employment possibilities and provide a strong foundation for continued growth in medical aesthetics.
Don’t confuse a one-day course-completion certificate with national certification. Choose comprehensive training that prepares you to pursue a nationally recognized credential and enter the healthcare field with confidence.
IMAGE is conveniently located in North Fort Myers and serves students throughout Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Southwest Florida.
Phlebotomy is only the first of five exciting new programs coming to IMAGE.
One new program revealed. Four more announcements still to come.
Stay tuned for upcoming class dates, tuition, and enrollment information!