Phlebotomists are essential members of the healthcare delivery team who primarily
are responsible for collecting blood specimens from patients for laboratory testing.
The phlebotomist plays a vital role by obtaining quality specimens that enable the
laboratory to deliver meaningful and accurate test results to assist the physician
in diagnosis.
The Phlebotomy certificate program is a part-time, two-semester program, offering
three classes per year. The program includes lectures and laboratory experiences at
CCRI as well as practical training at a clinical site. Instruction is designed to
provide both the technical and interpersonal skills required for the competent and
professional practice of phlebotomy.
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates are eligible to sit for a national
certification examination for phlebotomy given by recognized agencies. Qualified phlebotomists
may be employed in hospital laboratories, private laboratories, doctors’ offices,
clinics, emergency rooms or blood donor centers.
Phlebotomy students are eligible for financial aid and the Dean’s List.
Technical standards: The physical activity level (strength) level for phlebotomist (079. 36.022) is classified
as “light” by the Department of Labor Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions
at the back of the catalog for details.
General Policies
See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based
Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background
check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation,
uniforms, and equipment.
Minimum Requirements to Apply to the Phlebotomy Certificate Program
- CCRI application – Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be
the first choice; PHLE should be the second choice.
- High school transcript – An official copy of a high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation,
must be provided. If the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
college or university, the high school transcript may be waived; a college transcript
must indicate completion and degree awarded.
- CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School
and GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2 or ACCUPLACER scores). Placement can also
be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree
from a regionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement
waived following submission of the official college transcript. If using ACCUPLACER, the following guidelines are used:
- Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center. Students
may NOT retake the ACCUPLACER test before completing the remedial course/courses.
Note: For application purposes, ACCUPLACER testing can be waived for students who
provide documentation of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students are advised that
individual departments may still require ACCUPLACER testing as a prerequisite for
their courses.
- Reading comprehension test must show competency of 80 or above in Classic ACCUPLACER or a score of 253 or above
in Next-Generation ACCUPLACER or students must complete Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of B- or better. Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) will not substitute for Composition I (ENGL 1010).
- Health Sciences application – Complete and submit a performance-based Health Sciences application including a
preadmission degree evaluation during the open enrollment period.
- Important: Submission of a performance-based Health Sciences application does not guarantee
acceptance to the program. Acceptance is based on points earned as listed in the program
acceptance criteria point system. (See Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences webpage.) At the time of admission, students must meet the current admission requirements.
Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit
a performance-based Health Sciences application and meet the current admission requirements.
- Background check – Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification
from One Stop Student Services.
Program Requirements
- Maintain at least a grade of C in PHLE I and II.
- Program faculty reserve the right to require withdrawal of any student from the program
or to refuse reinstatement based on the student’s academic, clinical or professional
performance.
- Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) may not be substituted for Composition I (ENGL 1010).
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Practice accepted standards for infection control and safety as mandated by OSHA and
CLSI.
- Apply understanding of the importance of specimen collection and specimen integrity
in the delivery of patient care.
- Perform venipunctures proficiently following CLSI standards.
- Perform capillary puncture following CLSI standards.
- Perform EKG proficiently.
- Perform specimen transport and processing according to CLSI standards.
- Apply appropriate quality assurance and quality control to waived laboratory testing
according to CLIA regulations.
- Follow manufacturer's directions for CLIA waived tests.
- Communicate and interact appropriately with patients, staff and coworkers.
- Use computers in the workplace.
- Discuss policies and protocol designed to maintain confidentiality and to avoid medico-legal
problems.
- Apply ICD-CM codes to clinical laboratory testing.
Certificate Requirements
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| ENGL 1010 |
Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) HUMN; Written Communication; Information Literacy |
3 |
| MEDL 2385 |
International Classification of Diseases – Clinical Modification ICD-CM |
1 |
| MLTC 1170 |
Quality Assurance for Point of Care Laboratory Testing |
1 |
| MLTC 1960 |
Clinical Laboratory Information Systems |
1 |
| PHLE 1010 |
Phlebotomy I |
6 |
| PHLE 1020 |
Phlebotomy II 1 |
6 |
| RESP 2140 |
Basics of Electrocardiography |
1 |
|
19 |
| Total Hours |
19 |
Recommended Course Sequence
Plan of Study Grid
| Year 1 |
| Semester 1 |
| ENGL 1010 |
Composition I () |
3 |
| PHLE 1010 |
Phlebotomy I |
6 |
| MLTC 1960 |
Clinical Laboratory Information Systems |
1 |
| MEDL 2385 |
International Classification of Diseases – Clinical Modification ICD-CM |
1 |
| |
Hours |
11 |
| Semester 2 |
| PHLE 1020 |
Phlebotomy II 1 |
6 |
| MLTC 1170 |
Quality Assurance for Point of Care Laboratory Testing |
1 |
| RESP 2140 |
Basics of Electrocardiography |
1 |
| |
Hours |
8 |
| |
Total Hours |
19 |
