Phlebotomy Program Overview
A career as a Phlebotomy Technician is a rewarding path for someone who desires to work directly with patients. Phlebotomists use care and skill to obtain blood specimens from patients for analysis in the clinical laboratory. Technologists and physicians depend upon the phlebotomist to collect quality patient specimens in order to produce quality laboratory results. Phlebotomy technicians are trained to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence in patients while drawing blood specimens in a skillful and safe manner. Employment opportunities include, but are not limited to, hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, laboratories, and blood banks.
Students enrolled in the Allied Health Science Degree Program have the option of working towards the Phlebotomy Certificate in addition to the AHS degree. Program requirements include completion of the MLS 210 Phlebotomy lecture course and a 100-hour clinical practicum, which is required to earn the phlebotomy certificate and to be eligible to take the certificate examination offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Clinical experience will be arranged through the Clinical Laboratory Science Department.
Phlebotomy Certificate Program Description
Students will learn phlebotomy technique by reviewing anatomy and physiology of the body systems, equipment used for phlebotomy, venipuncture techniques, and safety practices. Through lecture, assigned readings, class discussion, and "hands on" participation, the student will demonstrate competency in the following areas:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system and medical terminology
- Demonstrate knowledge of infection and control safety
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of body systems and anatomic terminology in order to relate major areas of the clinical laboratory to general pathologic conditions associated with the body systems
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance of specimen collection in the overall patient care system
- Demonstrate knowledge of collection equipment, various types of additives used, special precautions necessary, and substances that can interfere in clinical analysis of blood constituents
- Demonstrate proper techniques to perform venipuncture and capillary puncture
- Demonstrate understanding of requisitions, specimen transport and processing
- Demonstrate understanding of quality assurance in phlebotomy
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic concepts of communication, personal, and patient interaction, stress management, professional behavior, and legal implications of this work environment
The above listed competencies are from the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Lab Scientist Phlebotomist Competencies.
Essential Functions for Students in the Phlebotomy Certificate Program
Essential Functions represent the essential non-academic requirements of the program that students must master to participate successfully in the program and become employable. The following is a list of the technical abilities and skills applicants for admission into Phlebotomy courses must possess:
- Manual Dexterity: ability to use hand(s) or prosthetic devices with coordination
- Fine Motor: ability to manipulate small objects with fingertip or adaptive devices.
- Mobility: ability to maneuver in the clinical setting
- Vision: ability to distinguish red, yellow and blue colors; distinguish clear from cloudy
- Hearing: ability to adapt with assistive devices (i.e., phone receivers, hearing aid, etc.)
- Speech: ability to effectively communicate verbally in English
- Writing: ability to communicate effectively in written form in English
- Reading: ability to read, understand and follow directions printed in English
The Phlebotomy Program at Harcum College follows the guidelines established by the:
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science
www.naacls.org
Application Process
Registration for the non-credit phlebotomy certificate program is conducted through the Office of Continuing Studies. The administration of the phlebotomy certificate program is conducted by the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science.
For more information on the non-credit phlebotomy certificate contact:
Office of Continuing Studies
610-526-6083
coned@harcum.edu
For more information on the credit phlebotomy program contact:
Sheryl Sussman
Clinical Coordinator
610-526-6154
ssussman@harcum.edu
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