Phlebotomists draw blood and other specimens from patients in a variety of medical settings such as hospitals and physicians’ offices.
Education
Most students earn a short-term certificate from an accredited two-year institution such as a community college or a technical school, though some choose to earn an associate degree. Certificate programs take up to twelve months to complete, and include lectures, laboratory instruction, and a clinical practicum.
All programs need to have accreditation from an organization such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences in order for students to meet most employers hiring requirements and to take a certification exam. Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent before applying, and other admissions requirements may include a background check, drug screen, and being up-to-date on immunizations.
A General Overview of Phlebotomy Classes
The curriculum varies from program to program, and whether or not students are earning a certificate or associate degree. Classes may include:
Medical Terminology for Phlebotomists – This class introduces students to common suffixes, prefixes, and root words that are used in the field. Students will also learn spelling and proper pronunciation.
Theory of Phlebotomy – Theory of Phlebotomy centers on teaching common phlebotomy practices for both adults and children. Students learn how to effectively and safely draw blood using capillary puncture and venipuncture methods.
Anatomy and Physiology – During this course, students receive an introduction to body parts, their systems, and how they work. Anatomy and Physiology particularly centers on cardiovascular anatomy and physiology of the circulatory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems.
First Aid for Healthcare Workers – During this general course, students learn basic first aid skills, the proper use of automated external defibrillator devices, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Introduction to Disease – This introductory course teaches students the fundamental aspects of the study of diseases. An emphasis is placed on the definition, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of specific diseases.
Legal Concepts to Medical Practice – Students learn the legal and ethical aspects of medical practice.
Introduction to Electronic Health Records – Students are introduced to health informatics with a primary focus on the function of electronic health records in healthcare delivery. The course explains how to create a patient account, access a patient account, and how to enter and retrieve data.
General Psychology – This course gives students the foundation of knowledge in psychology by examining topics that relate to understanding human thought and behavior. Topics include psychology as a science, personality, emotion, and motivation.
Structure and Function of the Human Body – Designed for students who have a limited background in biology and chemistry, it explains the structural organization of body systems.
Professional Career Strategies – This seminar course covers all phases of gaining employment. Topics include job search, job application, personal appearance, and resume preparation.
Word Processing – Students learn word processing applications and the software. This includes demonstrating the ability to perform basic Windows operations and word processing commands such as printing, saving, and retrieving documents.
Human Relations – This course centers on studying basic dynamics of human relations and how social influences shape behavior and thought.
Phlebotomy Exam Review – This course helps students prepare for the various certification exams available to phlebotomists. In most states, certification is optional, however, it’s best to become certified to have better job opportunities and higher wages.
Clinical Practicum – As part of their program, students will participate in a clinical practicum (also known as an externship). This gives them hands-on experience in a medical setting under the watchful eye of a phlebotomist. Students will be expected to explain the process to patients, collect specimens, and handle them accordingly.
Completing a phlebotomy training program is the first step to a rewarding career. If you would like to learn more, please contact us.