Occupational Description

As a member of the health care delivery team, the phlebotomist generally works in a clinical laboratory under the supervision of a clinical laboratory technologist. The phlebotomist is primarily responsible for collecting blood specimens from patients/clients for the purpose of laboratory analysis. The phlebotomy courses are designed to provide students with information about the health care delivery system; collection of materials and equipment; venipuncture and capillary puncture techniques; specimen transport and processing techniques; quality assurance and safety techniques; basic concepts of communications, and medical and legal implications of blood collection. Students will be required to complete 72 hours of classroom and 120 hours of clinical experience in a health care environment. A criminal background from a designated agent and/or a drug screen may be required to complete the internship course.

Accreditation/Approval Process

The phlebotomy program is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), located at 8410 West Bryn Mawr, Suite 670; Chicago, IL 60631-3415; telephone (773) 714-8880. Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible to take the national certification examinations given by either the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA) or the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), Board of Registry.

Admission Process

1. Submit an SSC Application form and forward all high school, as well as other college transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions.
2. Submit the Phlebotomy Program Admission Application form to the Program no later than October 1 for Spring admission, or June 1 for Fall admission.

Priority for admission will be given to applicants who meet the published deadline date. Residents of South Suburban College’s District will be given first priority for admission into the program. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the program.

Admission Criteria

Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” or better in BIO 115-Human Body Structure* or an equivalent human anatomy course. No student will be considered for admission to the Phlebotomy Program unless they have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 (A=4.00).

	Phlebotomy Basic Certificate (C-0644)
		Credits
PHB 101	Principles & Practice of Phlebotomy	4
	(Prerequisite: BIO 115 - Human Body Structure AND MDR 102 - Fundamentals of Medical Terminology)	4 1
PHB 102	Phlebotomy Internship	2
Total for Certificate		11

Specific Admission Requirements

1. PHB 101 and PHB 102 will be offered consecutively during a single semester. Both PHB 101 and 102 must be completed with a grade of “C” or better while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
2. Students accepted for PHB 101 and PHB 102 must:
      a. Possess a valid basic CPR certification card
      b. Submit a completed health-physical form PROVIDED by South Suburban College that documents immunity for mumps, measles, varicella, diptheria, tetanus, tuberculosis and hepatitis B (waiver.)
      c. Show proof of health insurance coverage or waiver.
3. Due to the nature of the clinical rotations, most assignments are for the daytime shifts. Clinical rotation assignments are at the discretion of the program coordinator.
4. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the clinical affiliate.