Written by Jaime, RN, BSN | Instructor
A Step Above Medical offers two hands-on courses: the Phlebotomy Training Course and the IV Therapy Training Course. The Phlebotomy Training Course teaches foundational venipuncture skills and is appropriate for students with no prior healthcare experience. The IV Therapy Training Course is a second-level course for healthcare professionals who already have foundational venipuncture skills. This guide explains how the two courses differ and can help you determine which course fits your current experience.
Phlebotomy Training Course at a glance
The Phlebotomy Training Course is a two-day, hands-on course held from 10 AM–3 PM each day. Tuition starts at $695, and no prior healthcare experience is required. Students learn through instruction, demonstration, and extensive hands-on practice, including supervised live venipuncture.
- Length: Two days, 10 AM–3 PM each day
- Tuition: Starts at $695, with a $150 deposit option available to hold your seat
- Prerequisite: None. The course is appropriate for beginners and experienced healthcare professionals.
- Covers: Proper tourniquet tying and placement, vein identification and palpation, venipuncture technique, patient interaction, and safe sharps handling
- After successful completion: A Certificate of Completion for the Phlebotomy Training Course from A Step Above Medical and the foundational knowledge needed to pursue national certification through NHA or NPCT
IV Therapy Training Course at a glance
The IV Therapy Training Course is a four-hour, hands-on, second-level course with tuition of $295, paid in full at registration. Students must already have foundational venipuncture skills before attending. Prior IV insertion experience is not required.
- Length: Four hours
- Tuition: $295, paid in full at registration. A deposit option is not available for this course.
- Prerequisite: Foundational venipuncture skills, including the ability to properly apply and secure a tourniquet, locate and palpate veins, and perform basic venipuncture using proper technique
- Covers: Vein and IV catheter selection, IV insertion and cannulation techniques, securing the catheter, saline-lock preparation, fluid administration, patient assessment, troubleshooting, and recognizing and responding to potential complications
- After successful completion: A Certificate of Completion for the IV Therapy Training Course from A Step Above Medical
The IV Therapy Training Course provides hands-on skills training and a Certificate of Completion. It does not award a state or national certification or independently expand a healthcare professional’s scope of practice. Students are responsible for confirming the requirements that apply to their profession, employer, and state.
Where this training applies
Phlebotomists work in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donation centers, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare settings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for phlebotomists was $45,230 in May 2025.
Phlebotomy training can provide foundational skills for people beginning a healthcare career and can also strengthen the venipuncture skills of experienced healthcare professionals.
The IV Therapy Training Course serves a different purpose. It is designed for healthcare professionals who already have foundational venipuncture skills and want supervised, hands-on instruction in IV insertion, cannulation, fluid administration, patient assessment, troubleshooting, and responding to potential complications.
Why students without venipuncture experience should start with Phlebotomy
The Phlebotomy Training Course teaches the foundational skills required for the IV Therapy Training Course. These include properly applying and securing a tourniquet, locating and palpating veins, and performing basic venipuncture using proper technique.
Students who do not already have these hands-on skills should begin with the Phlebotomy Training Course. During the two-day course, students learn through instruction, demonstration, and extensive hands-on practice, including supervised live venipuncture. This foundation prepares students to benefit more fully from the second-level IV Therapy Training Course.
Already comfortable drawing blood?
Healthcare professionals who already have foundational venipuncture skills may register directly for the IV Therapy Training Course. These skills may come from relevant hands-on work experience, a nursing or paramedic program, or previous phlebotomy training.
Students should be able to properly apply and secure a tourniquet, locate and palpate veins, and perform basic venipuncture using proper technique. Prior IV insertion experience is not required.
Taking both courses over two days
In many cities, the IV Therapy Training Course is scheduled immediately after the second day of the Phlebotomy Training Course. This allows students who need both courses to complete the Phlebotomy Training Course and continue directly into the second-level IV Therapy Training Course during the same two-day visit.
Check the Class Calendar to find upcoming courses offered together in a city near you.
Scope of practice after training
What a student may perform after training depends on the student’s professional credential, applicable state laws and regulations, and employer policies. NHA and NPCT provide national phlebotomy certification pathways, but certification, licensing, and employment requirements vary by state and employer.
Completing either course does not, by itself, expand a healthcare professional’s scope of practice. Students are responsible for confirming the requirements that apply to their profession, employer, and state before performing phlebotomy or IV therapy procedures.
Common questions
Do I need a phlebotomy certification before taking the IV Therapy Training Course?
No. A phlebotomy certification is not specifically required. However, students must already have foundational venipuncture skills, including the ability to properly apply and secure a tourniquet, locate and palpate veins, and perform basic venipuncture using proper technique. Students who do not have these skills should complete the Phlebotomy Training Course first.
Can a phlebotomist start an IV?
The procedures a phlebotomist may perform depend on applicable state laws and regulations, employer policies, additional training, and any other professional credentials the individual holds. Completing the Phlebotomy Training Course or IV Therapy Training Course does not, by itself, authorize a student to perform IV procedures or expand the student’s scope of practice.
Still not sure which course fits your current skills and experience? Visit our FAQ page for answers to common questions about both courses, or contact us for assistance.