Free Phlebotomy Classes & Certification in Northeast Tennessee

The Ballad Health Phlebotomy Program offers free phlebotomy training near you in the Appalachian Highlands! This training program is a great entry point for anyone seeking a career in healthcare. Participants who successfully complete the course will meet the qualifications to complete the national phlebotomy certification exam, at no cost to you.

While most programs only offer classroom (didactic) education, we also give students the opportunity to fulfill their clinical requirements – something that often holds people back from receiving their phlebotomy certification. Your classes will be held in Blountville, TN, and you will perform your clinical experience hours at one of the Ballad Health facilities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

This course comes with a required 12-month service agreement as a phlebotomist in a Ballad Health facility. We want you to join the Ballad Health team and get valuable working experience, all while staying close to home.

Find free phlebotomy classes near you

Participants will receive comprehensive hands-on training necessary to assist you in becoming a competent phlebotomist. This course offers an introduction to each area of work performed by certified phlebotomists, including:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Medical terminology
  • Infection prevention
  • Specimen collection and processing
  • Laboratory equipment use
  • Communication skills
  • Ethical, legal and regulatory considerations
  • AHA Basic Life Support Certification

Course details and required hours

This program requires both classroom hours (didactic) and clinical hours. 

  • 52 hours of classroom training
  • 100 hours in a clinical setting

During this time, the student will be paired with a preceptor in the clinical environment that will provide the hands-on experience needed to strengthen the skills that they have learned in the classroom setting.

Class schedule

Download the full 2025 phlebotomy class schedule [PDF, 78.73 KB].

Phlebotomy certification training enrollment & requirements

Here's what you need to know to get your phlebotomy career started.

Program Eligibility & Availability

To be considered for this program, the following requirements must be met:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (like a GED)
    • Students with an upcoming graduation date are welcome to apply within 6 months of their projected graduation
  • Completion of criminal and health-related board background check (does not apply to existing Ballad Health team members)
  • Compliant with Ballad Health vaccination policy and other health-related requirements (i.e. physical with a drug screen)
  • 8 hours of job shadowing with a Ballad Health Phlebotomist, which will be scheduled as part of the application process
  • 12-month service agreement required
  • Live in one of the eligible counties listed below

Eligible states & counties

  • Carter
  • Cocke
  • Greene
  • Hamblen
  • Hancock
  • Hawkins
  • Sullivan
  • Tazwell
  • Unicoi
  • Washington

  • Buchanan
  • Dickenson
  • Grayson
  • Lee
  • Russell
  • Scott
  • Smyth
  • Tazewell
  • Washington
  • Wise
  • Wythe

  • Ashe
  • Avery
  • Madison
  • Mitchell
  • Watauga
  • Yancey

  • Harlan
  • Letcher

Apply for free phlebotomy training near you

To apply for our no-cost phlebotomy classes in Northeast Tennessee, click the button below and complete the online application.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive further communication on how to complete the enrollment process.

Apply for the Phlebotomy Program Today

Contact us

Have questions about the program? Interested in other free healthcare certification programs? Please call us at (423) 325‑8900 or send an email to phlebotomyprogram@balladhealth.org, and we’d be happy to help you.