Health Sciences Department | C.C. Certificate of Completion | 6 months

The Phlebotomy Certificate program provides students with the opportunity to develop and enhance essential skills required for employability. The program will explore critical attributes for effectively delivering team-based person-centered care, which include the following: 

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Effective communication
• Trauma informed practices
• Self-care principles
• Critical thinking
• Reflective practice
• Process improvement

Phlebotomy technicians work in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, private home care, medical labs, blood donation centers, research institutes, and insurance companies. They may work day, evening, or night shifts, including weekend and holiday hours. The majority of their time is spent on their feet, interacting with patients or preparing samples to be sent to the lab.

The Phlebotomy Certificate Program consists of five courses over two terms and utilizes a cohort model. A combination of online lectures, in-person skills labs, and hands-on clinical practicum create a dynamic learning experience.

Online lectures allow you to maintain a flexible schedule for work and school while developing fundamental phlebotomy knowledge. Asynchronous online lectures with embedded quality skills demonstration videos provide the following opportunities: allow students to develop and/or strengthen e-learning skills and navigation; provides students with opportunities to identify credible resources; provides students the flexibility to work while in school.

During in-person skills lab, you will practice performing venipuncture and capillary punctures with the guidance of trained instructors to increase your technical skills and confidence. Hands-on skills lab allows students to: apply information obtained from online learning to the skills lab; utilize simulation equipment and practice dexterity and technical skills required to perform basic venipuncture procedures with equipment and supplies.

During your externship you will gain professional experience in a clinic or laboratory practicing and applying your new skills. Externship allows students to: safely experience a professional clinic and/or laboratory environment; practice and apply skills within the clinic and/or laboratory setting; gain valuable applied experience for employment.

Phlebotomy program course and schedules

Cohort #1: Fall-Winter, 16 students will be accepted

Fall	PHB-110	Fundamentals of Phlebotomy	5 credits (online)
Fall	PHB-115	Professionalism for Phlebotomists	1 credit (online)
Fall	PHB-112	Phlebotomy Techniques	2 credits (lab/campus), 66 hours	Wed/Fri
Winter	PHB-125	Professionalism in Healthcare	1 credit (online)
Winter	PHB-130	Phlebotomy Practicum	5 credits (practicum), 160 hours	Wed/Thurs/Fri

Cohort #2: Spring-Summer, 16 students will be accepted

Spring	PHB-110	Fundamentals of Phlebotomy	5 credits (online)
Spring	PHB-115	Professionalism for Phlebotomists	1 credit (online)
Spring	PHB-112	Phlebotomy Techniques	2 credits (lab/campus), 66 hours	Wed/Fri
Summer	PHB-125	Professionalism in Healthcare	1 credit (online)
Summer	PHB-130	Phlebotomy Practicum	5 credits (practicum), 160 hours	Wed/Thurs/Fri

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Proof of immunizations (MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Hep B, COVID-19);
• Training (BLS/CPR certification through American Heart Association);
• Screenings (Criminal Background Check, drug screen, tuberculosis test);

Note: specific details and codes for completing required criminal background check and drug screen will be provided during mandatory program orientation. 

This program provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain entry-level employment as a phlebotomist within a healthcare setting. The program will prepare students to step into their roles as responsible, productive members of their communities. Upon the completion of the program, students will be eligible for phlebotomy certification. The program is designed to include online learning paired with in-person skills labs, followed by a clinical practicum.

• safely perform high-quality blood collection through venipuncture and capillary puncture procedures;
• demonstrate correct collection, processing, and handling of laboratory specimens according to current laboratory protocols;
• understand and comply with legal and ethical standards, as well as laboratory safety, quality, and regulatory standards;
• demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology pertaining to phlebotomy;
• describe the concepts of communication, personal and patient interaction, stress and time management, and professional behavior in healthcare settings;
• prepare for the credentialing process and employment in the community.

To be successful in the Phlebotomy program and become employable, the student must be able to perform essential functions expected of the PHB (see list below). Please contact the PHB program regarding questions or concerns about these requirements.

 Students must have the physical, intellectual and emotional abilities to provide safe patient care; visual acuity, hearing, speech, manual dexterity, physical strength, and endurance must be maintained as well. The practice of medical assisting requires the following functional abilities with or without reasonable accommodations: 

Visual acuity (clearness of vision)

With or without corrective lenses sufficient to assess patients and their own environments.

Detect changes in skin color or condition; collect data from recording equipment and measurement devices used in patient care; detect a fire in a patient area and initiate emergency action; reading and following instructions pertaining to phlebotomy materials; ability to perform procedures involving fine detail, including the use of indirect field of vision.

Hearing ability

With or without hearing aids to hear a patient’s call for help, to auscultate a patient’s vital signs, and their own environment. Detect audible alarms; hear clearly during telephone conversations; effectively hear to communicate with patients and other healthcare team members.

Olfactory ability (smells)

Detect smoke from burning materials; detect odors from hazardous material spills.

Tactile ability (sense of touch)

Read and record patient vital signs; detect unsafe temperature levels in heat-producing devices used in patient care; perform patient care procedures; detect anatomical abnormalities.

Strength and Mobility

Ability to lift 25lbs; prolonged time sitting and/or standing on feet (8-12 hours); repetitive bending and twisting.

Ability to speak, comprehend, read, and write in English 

Able to question the patient about his/her condition; accurately relay information about the patient both verbally and in written communication to others.

Fine motor skills (ability to make movements using the small muscles in your hands or wrists)

Demonstrate eye/hand coordination; safely dispose of needles in sharps containers; safely perform venipuncture and intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections.

Emotional stability to function effectively under stress

Ability to adapt to changing situations and to follow through on assigned patient care responsibilities.

Cognitive ability (reasoning and/or thinking)

Ability to collect, analyze, apply information.

Ability to make clinical judgments and manage decisions that promote positive patient outcomes.

ADA Accommodations: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 (ADA) mandates that reasonable accommodations must be made for individuals with disabilities. Any student who may need an accommodation for a disability should make an appointment with the Program Director and the Disability Resource Center. 

The Phlebotomy Program application requires prospective students to answer one essay question. The applications are "de-identified" prior to reviewing and scoring essays to reduce bias.

Prior to submitting your essays, we recommend you utilize the free Grammarly online software to check your spelling and grammar.

Essay 1: (250 words or less) The admissions team would like to know more about what makes you a well-rounded applicant. Share what experiences led you to the medical field and phlebotomy specifically. Share with us what makes you a unique and strong candidate for this program.

Note: We are asking this question because as students in the PHB program we recognize that candidates have additional skills and experience they have gained that make them a strong candidate.

Essay 1	Criterion	Response Exceeds Expectations (5 points)	Response Meets Expectations (4 points)	Response indicates an opportunity for growth and reflection (3 points)
	The candidate describes what experiences lead you to the medical field and phlebotomy specifically.	Response provides a clear and detailed statement about what experiences lead you to the medical field and phlebotomy specifically.	Response provides a clear statement about what experiences lead you to the medical field and phlebotomy specifically.	Response shows an opportunity for the candidate to reflect more on what experiences lead you to the medical field and phlebotomy specifically.
	The candidate describes what makes you a unique and strong candidate for this program.	Response provides a clear and detailed statement about what makes them a unique and strong candidate for this program.	Response provides a clear statement about what makes them a unique and strong candidate for this program.	Response shows an opportunity for the candidate to reflect more about what makes them a unique and strong candidate for this program.