Page Content Phlebotomy technicians collect blood from
patients and prepare the samples for testing. Most work in hospitals and clinics, but some collect blood for donation purposes. Phlebotomy technicians are important members of the health care team and often need to explain the blood-drawing procedure and put patients at ease. With constantly evolving medical technologies, phlebotomy technicians must know the difference in blood test types and should be aware of how medications and diet impact blood samples. Phlebotomy
technicians are responsible for drawing samples of blood and preparing them for testing. Common tasks and duties include: 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. Due
to the intricate work of inserting needles into hard-to-find veins, phlebotomy technicians need to have well-tuned fine motor skills. They need to be able to handle difficult and emotional patients that might be afraid of needles. Finally, they need to be detail-oriented and able to remember safety precautions, how different diets can affect blood samples, and exactly how samples need to be treated to appropriately test them. To become a phlebotomy
technician, you must have a high school degree or equivalent and a phlebotomy technician training program. These programs can last a few months to a year. The certification process can vary depending on which organization is certifying the phlebotomy technician. These organizations include the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, National Healthcareer Association, and the American Medical Technologists. Requirements typically include a high school
diploma or GED, a phlebotomy training program, and potentially some work experience. Phlebotomy technicians can expect a median salary range of $37,380. Phlebotomy is an expanding field with excellent career opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of phlebotomist technicians to grow much faster than average. Blood
testing is an essential task in health care so demand for phlebotomy technicians is likely to increase since doctors use blood work for analysis and diagnosis. To advance their careers, some phlebotomy technicians choose to get certified in a particular area to become phlebotomy specialists or donor phlebotomy technicians. With additional experience and education, others become medical lab technicians, medical assistants, or registered nurses (R.N.s).What does a phlebotomy technician do?
Scope of practice
Work environment
Becoming a phlebotomy technician
Higher education requirements
Certification process
Career opportunities and outlook
By the numbers
1
year or less of higher education
22%
job growth projected from 2020-2030
Hemodialysis technician
Medical massage therapist
Pharmacy technician
Start your career as a vital part of the healthcare industry – Study to become an ASCP-certified phlebotomist! Are you a naturally empathetic, compassionate individual, able to reassure and comfort patients who may be suffering from an illness, whether a cold, infection, or chronic condition? Do you enjoy helping a diverse array of people in a professional, friendly manner? Are you detail-oriented, able to imagine yourself keeping track of labels, patient information, and equipment maintenance?
The Job
As a phlebotomist, you will:
- Safely and securely obtain blood specimens
- by performing blood draws, and collect urine specimens
- Work directly with patients, maintaining quality results
- by following clinic procedures and testing schedules
- Provide the highest standards in discreet and courteous
- lab service for patients and medical providers
- Verify patient identities, correctly label and track collected
- specimens, and maintain daily tallies of collections performed
Phlebotomists play an important role in the healthcare industry, with a median salary of $30,670 in 2014, and an expected growth of 27% from 2012 to 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Becoming a certified phlebotomist provides excellent technical skills that you can put to good use over the course of your healthcare career.
Begin your career as a nationally certified phlebotomist by enrolling in the Institute for Health Professionals’ two-term Phlebotomy Technician course.
The ProgramThe Phlebotomy Technician training consists of two courses that span two terms, totaling 190 hours, that will prepare you to pass the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam and become a nationally certified phlebotomist.
Term I is a 90-hour course consisting of both classroom and lab work. You will learn about:
- Blood collecting, handling, and transporting, and processing specimens
- Anatomy, physiology of pertinent body systems, and pathologic conditions
- Lab equipment use and care
- Safety precautions and quality control
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
Term II is a 100-hour clinical rotation.
- You must successfully complete Term I to enroll in Term II.
- Students will be supervised by laboratory personnel for a total of 100 hours in a hospital, physician office, outpatient facility, or other site approved by the Institute for Health Professionals.
- A minimum of 100 successful, supervised blood draws must be completed.
- At the end of the clinical rotation, you are prepared and eligible for the national certification exam through the American Society for Clinical Pathologists. Holding the national certificate greatly enhances employability in the field.
After completing both terms, you will be able to:
- Confirm patient’s identity and correctly label specimen receptacles
- Obtain blood specimens by performing venipunctures and fingersticks
- Instruct patients in proper protocol of collecting urine specimens
- Establish chain of custody for specimens after a patient has provided samples
- Track collected specimens and maintain daily tallies of collections performed
- Maintain quality results by following clinic procedures and testing schedules
- Maintain safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures and complying with legal regulations
- Take the national certification exam though the American Society for Clinical Pathologists
Phlebotomy Required books:
These books are not available at our bookstores through PCC. Instead, you should go to Amazon or any other bookseller to get your books.
Here are the links to Amazon’s site for the
books:
These books are not available at our bookstores through PCC. Instead, you should go to Amazon or any other bookseller to get your books. Here are the links to Amazon’s site for the books:
- Required – must obtain prior to the first day of class. Phlebotomy Essentials by Mccall, 6th Edition, ISBN # 978-1451194524
- Optional Phlebotomy Essentials Student Workbook by Mccall, 6th Edition, ISBN# 978-1451194531
This training is a good fit for:
- Level-headed individuals that want to work directly with patients
- Those interested in working in a fast-paced, entry-level medical setting
- Individuals not intimidated by bodily fluids
Many patients are afraid of blood draws, so you must be able to present a calm, friendly, and professional demeanor that will put them at ease.
Only individuals who meet or exceed the minimum requirements listed in the application packet will be considered for admission. Please carefully read over the requirements before applying.
The InvestmentTime: 2 terms, 190 hours
Tuition: $2,999 including supplies, but not including cost of the book
Tuition is due at the time of registration or student may set up a 6 month payment plan with the Portland Community College Business Office. For information about the payment plan, please visit the PCC Payment Plan webpage.
The InstructorOlga Hice has been an instructor of Phlebotomy at PCC CLIMB for 6 years. She provides the best quality of education by staying up-to-date on trends and industry standards through continuous professional education with multiple specialty organizations such as the ASCP, AMA, ACC, and many others, and works with leading hospitals and hospital systems. For her, teaching is a rewarding way to make a difference in someone’s life and improve patient care in the healthcare industry. She spends her free time with family, and loves to travel.
FAQsWhat should I do next to get into the training?- Follow the steps at the bottom of this page. Interested students are encouraged to attend a Phlebotomy Free Informational Session.
- After review, qualified applicants will be invited to interview for a space in the program.
- A background check will be conducted on students selected to interview and tentatively selected for the course. You must complete and submit a background check within 7 days after the interview to receive final approval and acceptance into the course. Instructions to obtain a background check will be provided to selected applicants. Approximate cost to student is $68.
No. Please only submit copies of your original documents.
How many students are accepted into this program?Up to 15 students per class are accepted.
Can I use federal financial aid?No, federal financial aid does not apply to non-credit courses. Students are required to pay, in full, once they are notified of their acceptance into the program.
Can I find my own clinical?No. We are required to have affiliation agreements with the labs that take our students. We will place you in one of the clinical sites we have affiliation agreements with.
How long does this course take?The program is 2 terms in length. Term I is composed of lecture and lab, while Term II consists of a 100-hour clinical.
Will this prepare me for a national certification exam?Yes! After completion of the program, you will be prepared to sit for the national certification exam through the American Society for Clinical Pathologists.
Do I have to submit to a drug screen?Yes. Be aware that the hospital where you are placed for your clinical practicum may require a drug screen test for which you are financially responsible. Also, there are situations where the hospital may require a more thorough background check in addition to the one PCC requires. These potential costs will be your responsibility.
Do I have to submit a background check?Yes. Students who are invited to interview, and are tentatively selected for the course, MUST complete and submit a background check within 7 days after the interview to receive final approval and acceptance into the course. Approximate cost to student is $68.00.
What vaccinations do I have to have?- Hepatitis B titre/immunity exam show positive orreactive result. Or a confirmation from yourmedical provider stating you have immunity toprotect you against Hep.B.
- Influenza vaccine for current season
- Tuberculosis testing (PPD) for current yearshows negative result. If result is positive, aclear chest X-ray is required
- MMR titer/Immunity exam result showsImmunity
- Varicella titer/Immunity exam shows immunity(Positive)
- Tetanus within last 10 years
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