Phlebotomy

Non-Credit

Program Handbook

Overview

The Phlebotomy Certificate program prepares students to work in healthcare by collecting blood samples for laboratory testing. The program includes didactic, laboratory, and clinical components designed to prepare students for a career in phlebotomy and a national phlebotomy certification examination.

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Phlebotomy Certificate program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of important concepts of healthcare delivery such as infection control, safety, quality assurance, and legal implications associated with the role of phlebotomy.
2. Understand basic medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology that are associated with the procurement of quality laboratory specimens.
3. Apply knowledge of blood and other specimen collection equipment to maximize results in the clinical setting.
4. Perform venipuncture and other specimen collection procedures safely and competently.
5. Integrate pre-analytical considerations into the procurement of quality specimens.
6. Display ability to communicate professionally and confidently with clients and co-workers.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must be high school graduates or GED recipients.

Requirements for Clinicals

Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.

Program Completion

Students must complete the lecture and lab portion of the course (CED PH01) with a minimum of 76% and successfully complete the required skills to progress to the clinical portion of the program (CED PH02). During the clinical component, students will successfully complete over 100 venipunctures, 5 capillary punctures, and receive a satisfactory evaluation from the clinical preceptor. Students must complete lecture, lab, and clinical requirements in order to be awarded a certificate of program completion.

A cumulative grade, lower than a “C”, is considered a failure. Students who fail the Phlebotomy program or withdraw from the course will not receive a course refund or certificate of completion.

Phlebotomy Certificate Program Curriculum Plan

The Certificate program in Phlebotomy is a comprehensive program and provides students with 55 contact hours of didactic and laboratory education and 100 hours of clinical externship. The program offers instruction in phlebotomy safety, infection control, venipuncture equipment, routine venipuncture and dermal techniques, complications, medical ethics, confidentiality, patient communication, and specimen handling. Some non-blood collection procedures will also be discussed as well as the operations of full services laboratories. Upon successful completion, students are eligible for a national phlebotomy credentialing exam provided by Mercy College.