Phlebotomist Jobs in Portland, OR
Phlebotomists in Portland draw blood for hospitals on Marquam Hill, reference labs in Northwest Portland and the Red Cross donor center, and posted hospital pay runs from about $21 to $32 an hour. Oregon requires no state license. Here are the current openings, then who hires and how to get started.
Current phlebotomist Openings in Portland, OR
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Phlebotomist Work in Portland
Blood draws in the Portland metro happen in four kinds of places: hospital floors and clinics at OHSU on Marquam Hill and in South Waterfront, reference lab patient service centers such as Quest Diagnostics' site on NW Westover Rd, the hospital labs at Legacy Health that Labcorp has managed since 2023, and the American Red Cross donor center in Portland. Legacy also runs clinic draw stations on the Washington side, including the Vancouver Family Wellness Center.
The Columbia River matters here. Oregon does not license phlebotomists, so Portland employers set their own certification rules. Washington requires a state Medical Assistant-Phlebotomist (MA-P) or Medical Assistant-Certified credential, so a job in Vancouver or Salmon Creek needs that extra step.
Top Portland Employers for Phlebotomists
These employers hire phlebotomists in the Portland metro:
- OHSU - Pathology Lab Services hires phlebotomists and paid phlebotomist trainees for OHSU Hospital, Doernbecher and its clinics, AFSCME-represented.
- Quest Diagnostics - the reference lab hires Phlebotomist I and float phlebotomists based in Northwest Portland.
- Labcorp - runs patient service and hospital lab operations, including the labs at Legacy Health hospitals.
- Legacy Health - hires phlebotomist technicians for its clinic network, including Vancouver, where a Washington credential is required.
- American Red Cross - staffs phlebotomists at its Portland donor center.
Phlebotomist Salaries in Portland
- Entry level: about $21 to $24 per hour for trainees and newly certified phlebotomists.
- Experienced: roughly $25 to $30 per hour at hospital labs and clinics.
- Senior / lead: about $30 to $32 per hour at the top of union hospital scales, more for lead and supervisor roles.
These are estimates based on employers' posted ranges. Certification, union step increases at OHSU, shift differentials for evenings and nights, and moving into a lab assistant or specimen processing role are what move pay in Portland.
How to Become a Phlebotomist in Portland
Oregon has no state license for phlebotomists; the Oregon Health Authority licenses laboratories, not the people who draw blood. Employers still want national certification such as ASCP PBT, NHA CPT or AMT RPT, and OHSU requires one within the first year. The Portland Community College CLIMB Institute for Health Professionals offers a 190-hour phlebotomy program that prepares students for the ASCP exam, and Clackamas Community College also offers phlebotomy training. OHSU's paid phlebotomist trainee roles are another way in. In Washington, the Department of Health issues the MA-P credential.
What the Job Involves
Phlebotomists confirm patient identity, collect blood by venipuncture and capillary stick, label and process specimens, and send them to the lab with the right paperwork. On hospital rounds they draw inpatients early in the morning; in a patient service center they handle a steady line of outpatients, including children and older adults, while keeping the draw station clean and stocked.
Skills Employers Look For
- National phlebotomy certification (ASCP, NHA or AMT)
- Venipuncture and capillary collection on all ages
- Accurate patient identification and labeling
- Calm, friendly manner with nervous patients
- Data entry and lab system skills
- Washington MA-P credential for Vancouver jobs
Career Path and Advancement
Phlebotomy is one of the quickest ways into Portland health care. Many start as OHSU trainees or Quest patient service technicians, then move to lead phlebotomist, lab assistant or specimen processor. From there, a two-year medical lab technology degree at PCC Cascade opens the medical laboratory technician track, and some use phlebotomy experience as a step toward nursing or medical assisting.
Related Careers in Portland
If phlebotomy interests you, these related Portland roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a phlebotomist in Portland?
No. Oregon does not license phlebotomists, but most Portland employers want national certification, and OHSU requires it within your first year. Across the river in Washington, you need a state MA-P or MA-C credential to draw blood.
How much do phlebotomists make in Portland?
Posted ranges run from about $21 an hour for new hires to about $32 at the top of OHSU's union scale. OHSU's paid trainee roles start a bit below its certified phlebotomist scale while you finish certification.
How long does phlebotomy training take in Portland?
The PCC CLIMB phlebotomy program is 190 hours of training and prepares you for the ASCP exam. After the coursework you sit for a national exam such as ASCP PBT, NHA CPT or AMT RPT.
Can I get paid while I train as a phlebotomist?
Yes, at some employers. OHSU has posted paid phlebotomist trainee positions that lead to a phlebotomist role once you are certified.
What hours do Portland phlebotomists work?
Hospital phlebotomists often start before dawn to finish morning draws before rounds, and nights are common. Patient service centers usually run weekday business hours with some weekends, and donor centers follow their collection schedule.
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