A career as a travel phlebotomist might just be the perfect mix of purpose and adventure. You get to do meaningful work—drawing blood to help diagnose, treat, and heal—while exploring new cities, meeting new people, and experiencing different parts of the country. Pretty amazing, right?
But life on the move isn’t always a walk in the park. From figuring out housing to navigating new routines every few months, there’s a lot to consider before hitting the road. Whether you’re already certified and ready to travel or just wondering how to become a traveling phlebotomist, we’re here to walk you through it all.
What Is a Travel Phlebotomist, Anyway?
A travel phlebotomist is a certified healthcare professional who travels between different medical facilities—hospitals, clinics, blood donation centers, labs—to draw blood from patients for testing, donation, or research purposes. Unlike traditional phlebotomists who work in a fixed location, travel phlebotomists are hired on short-term contracts—anywhere between a few weeks and several months—and are often sent to areas facing staffing shortages or seasonal demands.
As a travel phlebotomist, you could be working in a bustling city hospital one month and a quiet rural clinic the next. This kind of role is perfect for healthcare professionals who crave flexibility, variety, and the chance to make an impact wherever they go.
Getting Started: How to Become a Traveling Phlebotomist
Becoming a travel phlebotomist is a leap—but an exciting one. Fortunately, getting started is more straightforward than you might think. Here’s a basic roadmap:
- Complete an Accredited Phlebotomy Training Program: Your first step is to enroll in a phlebotomy program approved by a recognized accrediting body like the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). These programs are typically offered through community colleges, vocational schools, or healthcare training centers and will include both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice. Most programs take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete, depending on whether you study full- or part-time.
- Get Certified: After completing your training, you’ll need to become certified. Certification proves your competency, allows you to become specialized, and gives you a competitive edge—especially if you’re looking to land travel phlebotomist jobs. Requirements may vary by state, but many employers and staffing agencies require phlebotomists to complete a phlebotomy program and pass a certification exam.
- Gain Experience: While some travel roles are available for newly certified phlebotomists, many agencies and employers prefer candidates with at least 6 to 12 months of hands-on experience. This gives you the confidence to work independently in unfamiliar settings and helps you adapt quickly to different procedures and equipment.
- Register with a Staffing Agency: Once you’re certified and have some experience under your belt, apply to staffing agencies. These agencies match you with assignments across the country—many of which include perks like travel stipends, licensing assistance, and housing options.
Travel Phlebotomist Salary and Job Benefits
Yes, the travel perks are amazing—but so is the paycheck.
A travel phlebotomist’s salary usually varies depending on experience, location, and contract length. On average, you can expect to earn around $880 to $2,000 per week, with some positions offering even more for high-need areas. On top of that, many agencies offer housing stipends, bonuses, and even reimbursements for things like continuing education or additional state licenses.
Travel Phlebotomist Jobs With Housing: What to Expect
Let’s be real: constantly moving comes with logistical headaches. Housing is often one of the biggest. Luckily, many travel phlebotomist jobs offer solutions to make the transition smoother. You might be placed in extended-stay hotels, move-in-ready short-term apartments, or even get a housing stipend to find your own rental. Either way, it’s often more lucrative than traditional staff phlebotomy jobs—especially when you consider the added adventure.
How to Prepare for Life as a Traveling Phlebotomist
Travel healthcare roles follow their own rhythm—and it’s not always easy. One month, you’re feeling energized by a new city. The next, you’re missing your friends, your favorite coffee shop, and the comfort of your usual routine.
Moving every few months means constantly adjusting to new teams, workspaces, and sometimes unfamiliar procedures. It can be hard to find your groove or build lasting connections. And packing, unpacking, and apartment hunting? It gets tiring.
But there will also be moments of freedom, empowerment, and growth you wouldn’t have found standing still. You’ll build resilience, broaden your perspective, and collect stories most people only dream of. Here’s how to make life on the road more livable:
Create rituals, even if they’re small.
Familiar routines—your morning coffee, evening walks, weekend grocery runs—can ground you while everything else changes. Anchor your schedule, routines, and values, even if your location shifts. Daily rituals for recentering, talking to friends and family regularly, and making time for hobbies that make you feel grounded can become emotional anchors when everything else feels new or unpredictable.
Bring personal touches.
Pack items that make you feel grounded—a cozy blanket, framed photos, a candle you love, or even your favorite mug. These small comforts can instantly warm up a generic space and make it feel like yours, no matter where you are.
Make every place feel like home.
It’s hard to thrive when you don’t feel settled. And let’s face it, hauling furniture from assignment to assignment just isn’t realistic.
CORT Furniture Rental makes it easy to furnish your temporary housing without the stress. Whether you’re staying for a few weeks or several months, CORT offers expertly curated furniture packages or you can choose to curate a look on your own that fits your style and your timeline. Our White Glove service means we’ll deliver, set everything up, and pick it up when you’re done. No moving vans, no storage units, no fuss. Just walk in, settle down, and start making memories—even if you’re only there for a short while. Learn more about how to receive 15% off your monthly lease and how to receive a $50 VISA Gift Card when you tell a colleague and they choose to rent with CORT too.
Get social.
Loneliness can creep in fast when you’re constantly starting over. Luckily, getting social can help turn an unfamiliar new city into the adventure of a lifetime, while helping you get your footing. Join local fitness classes, find meetups for healthcare workers, attend community events, or simply chat with fellow healthcare travelers over lunch. Building even one new connection in each location can make a world of difference.
Take breaks.
You’re not just a phlebotomist—you’re human. Rest, recharge, and treat yourself with the same care you give your patients. While it’s tempting to go full speed—working hard, exploring new cities, saying yes to everything, burnout is real. Make space for quiet evenings in, self-care days, and rest. A cozy night in your CORT-furnished space with a good book or show can be exactly what your soul needs from time to time.
Is a Travel Phlebotomy Career Right for You?
If you thrive in new environments, adapt quickly, and enjoy meeting new people, travel phlebotomy could be an incredible fit. It’s ideal for those who want flexibility and purpose without the monotony of staying in one place.
However, this lifestyle isn’t for everyone. If consistency and routine are your anchors, you might prefer a more traditional healthcare setting. But if your heart beats a little faster at the idea of packing a bag and embarking on new adventures—a career as a traveling phlebotomist might just be your calling.
Make Every Destination Feel Like Home with CORT Furniture Rental
Being a traveling phlebotomist is about so much more than just moving around. This career is about stepping into new places with compassion, caring for people who need it, and building a meaningful, flexible, and totally-your-own life. And, perhaps, along the way you’ll find your forever city!
So go ahead—chase that dream. Get certified. Pack the bag. And when setting up a home wherever you land, let CORT Furniture Rental handle the heavy lifting. With our packages, you can create a fully furnished, home-like space in every new city, without the hassle of buying, moving, or reselling furniture. Our flexible rental options and stylish, ready-to-go setups ensure you have a comfortable place to recharge, no matter where your job takes you—because even when you’re always on the move, you deserve to feel at home.
Ready to get started? Let CORT help make your temporary space feel like your favorite place. Explore our furniture rental solutions at your local CORT showroom or online today!
