Phlebotomist, Certificate

Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program

Degree/Certificate:     Certificate
HEGIS Code:             5205
SUNY Code:              0905
Major Code:              PHLB

The Career

Phlebotomists are specialized clinical support workers who collect blood from patients for laboratory testing. Results from laboratory testing provide valuable information to physicians for diagnosing and treating patients. These individuals are responsible for the performance of venipunctures; capillary punctures; skin stick; arterial punctures; handling of blood; handling of test tubes; use of a centrifuge; wearing gloves; wearing masks and gowns when necessary; keeping careful records; dealing with a broad spectrum of the population; handling difficult, confused, resistant or very young patients; and at times may work in an emergency setting or work with other professionals in an emergency setting.

Employment opportunities are available in hospitals, commercial laboratories, private physician offices, public health departments, clinics and blood banks.

The NCCC Approach

Because of the profession, course work consists of studies in clinical procedures. The student will complete 180 hours of supervised unpaid clinical practicum in a hospital, diagnostic laboratory, blood bank or medical office. The student is responsible for transportation to the clinical practicum site.

Course work focuses on Human Anatomy and Physiology, Phlebotomy, Medical Ethics, OSHA Regulations, Patient Communication, Medical Terminology and Patient Care.

Admission

Students admitted in fall, spring and summer.  Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take longer than two semesters to complete the program if a student begins in a spring or summer semester.

All applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

1. High school diploma or equivalency diploma.
2. Applicants will be tested for academic foundations in reading, writing and mathematics. To be accepted into the program, applicants must earn the minimum required score on these tests or pass the academic foundations course listed below.

If below the required score in		Will need to pass
	Writing		ENG 099
	Reading		AAC 042
	Mathematics		MAT 012 or MAT 023

These academic foundations courses do not count toward the degree.

Final acceptance into the Phlebotomist program depends upon the student submitting, and the Wellness Center approving, the physical examination prior to the student entering PHL 100. Health records must remain current during the period of enrollment in the program. The student is responsible for the costs associated with the physical examination report.

Policies

Course Sequencing Policy

All prerequisite Phlebotomist Certificate courses must be successfully completed before progressing to the next sequential Phlebotomist Certificate course.

Individuals graduating from the Phlebotomist Certificate program must demonstrate knowledge of the subject matters required for competence in the profession. Students must successfully incorporate cognitive (C) objectives into, and demonstrate competence in performance of psychomotor (P) and affective (A) competencies in required academic subjects.

Within the Phlebotomist Certificate curriculum all (100%) of psychomotor and affective competencies must be successfully completed with a passing score of 85% in order to earn a passing grade within a course. Only two attempts per competency is allowed. A grade of C or better is required to earn a passing grade in MED and PHL courses where cognitive objectives are assessed.

Grade Policy

Grading Policy for Phlebotomist Certificate (MED and PHL) courses Lecture, Laboratory, and Practicum Courses:  A minimum grade of C is required in all Phlebotomist Certificate (MED) courses. Major Phlebotomist Certificate courses have multiple components: lecture (theory), laboratory, and practicum (clinical). A student must earn a minimum C grade in lecture, laboratory, and practicum courses to be successful and progress in the Phlebotomist Certificate curriculum.

Grading Policy for Biology and Advanced First Aid & CPR for Phlebotomist Certificate Students: A minimum grade of C in BIO 117 and 117L (Human Biology) and HED 214E (Advanced First AID & CPR) must be earned to be successful and progress in the Phlebotomist Certificate curriculum.

Matriculated Status

Students must maintain continuous registration in Phlebotomist Certificate courses including prerequisite and co-requisite courses to remain matriculated in the Phlebotomist Certificate program.

Unsafe Clinical Practice

Unsafe care is defined as “placing the patient/family/provider in clear and present danger.”  When a student is unable to provide safe patient care and/or does not meet the ethical standards within the larger healthcare industry and the Phlebotomist profession, the program coordinator, upon recommendation from the Phlebotomist clinical faculty, will remove said student from the clinical/practicum educational component of said Phlebotomist Certificate course (MED103L/PHL 100, PHL 101, PHL 102). A grade of “F” will be awarded. The student is not eligible for re-admission into the Phlebotomist Certificate program.

Five-Year Course Policy

If a student has taken any course with a MED, PHL or BIO prefix five or more years before enrolling in a subsequent MED, PHL or BIO course, the MED, PHL or BIO course(s) must be repeated.

Requirements to Remain in the Program

Once accepted into the Phlebotomist program, continued matriculation is contingent upon:

Certification in Basic Life Support and First Aid Responding to Emergencies must be completed prior to the clinical practicum, PHL 102. This requirement may be fulfilled through successful completion of HED 214.  Certification must remain current throughout the program.

Program Goals and Objectives

The program is intended to prepare students for immediate entry-level employment in laboratories, physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics and other health-care facilities. Students will be provided with the knowledge and experience necessary to collect blood samples from patients, prepare specimens for testing, perform related technical procedures and process the associated paperwork. Students will obtain the necessary organizational and communication skills required to perform their job. Upon completion of this program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the phlebotomy certification exam.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the NCCC Phlebotomist Certificate program will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of medical terminology, abbreviations, biological systems and relevant circulatory anatomy in the role of phlebotomist
• Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to function within the legal and ethical standards of the Phlebotomy profession
• Perform administrative tasks such as data-entry, specimen processing, laboratory accession, record and basic management of medical laboratory forms and requisitions relative to laboratory procedures
• Competently perform the clinical skills necessary to perform venous blood collection and micro-collection as a phlebotomist
• Collect and process blood, biological specimens, and other substances
• Apply knowledge of safety and principles of infection control related to the proper use, sanitation, and disposal of equipment and supplies used in blood collection and micro-collection
• Demonstrate proficient critical thinking skills in the collection of blood from adults, children, difficult draws, and those exhibiting signs of syncope
• Demonstrate professional level first aid and CPR skills
• Demonstrate appropriate skills using both the written and spoken word to communicate appropriately with healthcare professionals, patients, and professional colleagues utilizing appropriate interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate knowledge of varied cultural perspectives and understanding necessary to meet the needs of diverse populations
• Discuss readiness, the value of lifelong learning, professional development, and active membership in professional societies related to employment as a phlebotomist