Program Overview

Phlebotomy Certificate Program description 

MLT 102 - Phlebotomy is a one-semester course that includes two hours of lecture, three hours of student lab and eight hours of clinical rotation per week in a hospital laboratory or outpatient facility. The program is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). * Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the PBT (ASCP) Certification exam. * www.naacls.org. This course provides students the skills and knowledge required to work in specimen collection in a healthcare setting. Emphasis is on venipuncture procedures, professionalism, the operation of the clinical laboratory, and specimen processing. Clinical practice in the laboratories of Philadelphia area is included.

Phlebotomy Program Mission Statement 

The mission of the Phlebotomy Certificate Program of the Community College of Philadelphia is to be an exemplary program graduating highly qualified individuals to fill the employment needs of the City of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania suburban areas. The Program is committed to serving students with excellent academic instruction and professional training. The faculty is committed to providing quality instruction by preparing graduates to be employable at an entry-level in phlebotomy and to successfully pass a national certification examination in Phlebotomy.

Accreditation

MLT 102 – Phlebotomy is a one-semester course that includes two hours of lecture, three hours of student lab and eight hours of clinical rotation per week in a hospital laboratory or outpatient facility. The course is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). *Students who successfully complete the course are eligible to take the PBT (ASCP) Certification exam.*

*5600 N. River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-741-8880
www.naacls.org

Graduates of the MLT curriculum are eligible to take the "PBT" ASCP Board of Certification Exam. 

Employers seek certified individuals because they know that people with professional credentials can be counted on for the value-added expertise that is in such high demand today. National certification in a specialty area of phlebotomy practice is proof of knowledge and competence in a field. While National Certification is not required to graduate from the Phlebotomy program, our faculty members feel strongly about the importance of acquiring and maintaining certification and expect that students will complete their certification exams as soon as they successfully complete their programs.

Goals of the Phlebotomy Program

The Goals of the Phlebotomy Program are that the student: 

  1. Will be accountable as a phlebotomist for the procedures expected of an entry-level phlebotomist. 
  2. Will apply for and take a certification exam in Phlebotomy by an accredited certification agency. 
  3. will respect the rights of patients, faculty, clinical supervisors, fellow students, and other health professionals and will safeguard confidentiality within the constraints of legal, ethical and moral conduct. 
  4. Will exercise sound judgment, clear thinking, and appropriate decision-making skills while serving the needs of the community and the profession. 
  5. Will practice within the profession’s ethical and legal framework. 
  6. Will continue to maintain professional competence and utilize opportunities for continuing education and career advancement. 
  7. Will function as a competent phlebotomist, within the limitations of that role as a member of a healthcare team providing quality health care service.

Outcome Goals of the Phlebotomy Program 

Continue accreditation with NAACLS and strive to meet NAACLS benchmarks: 

Program’s Results of the last three active years of graduate certification rates should at least demonstrate an average of at least 75%* certification rates from all examinations, for graduates who take the exam within the first year of graduation. 

Program’s Results of the last three active years of graduation rates should demonstrate an average of at least 70%* of students who have begun the final half of the program go on to successfully graduate from the program as calculated by the most recent three-year period. 

Program’s Results of the last three active years of graduate placement rates should demonstrate that an average of at least 70%* of the respondent graduates either find employment in the field or a closely related field (for those who seek employment) or continue their education within one year of graduation as calculated by the most recent three-year period. 

Program Standards

Performance Standards for Allied Health Programs, MLT and Phlebotomy Programs 

The Community College of Philadelphia’s Department of Allied Health has adopted the following Core Performance Standards for all applicants to the Allied Health degree and certificate programs. These standards are based upon required abilities that are compatible with effective performance in allied health programs. If an applicant is not able to meet the Core Performance Standards, he/she is responsible to identify his/her inability to perform the required tasks, with or without accommodation. If while in the program, a student fails to meet the Core Performance Standards, with or without accommodation, the student will be removed from the program as the Performance Standards are considered Essential Functions for health care professionals. 
All students are required to meet these performance standards. Allowing for individual differences and encouraging program completion for students with a documented disability, the allied health programs will work with the student and the Center on Disability to provide any reasonable accommodation to meet these performance standards when appropriate.
Capability Standard Example of Activities (Not All Inclusive)
Cognitive-Perception The ability to perceive events realistically, to think clearly and rationally, and to function appropriately and efficiently in routine and stressful situations Identify changes in patient/client health status. Handle multiple priorities in stressful situations and remain calm.
Critical Thinking Critical thinking ability sufficient for sound clinical judgment Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations. Develop plans of care Respond competently within scope of practice. Interpret patient condition and apply appropriate intervention.
Interpersonal Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Establish rapport with patients/ clients and colleagues appropriately. Demonstrate high degree of patience. Manage a variety of patient/client expressions (anger, fear, hostility) in a calm and professional manner. React appropriately to constructive criticism
Communication Communication abilities in English sufficient for appropriate interaction with others in verbal and written form. Read, understand, write and speak English competently. Explain treatment procedures. Initiate health teaching. Document patient/client responses. Validate 7 responses/messages with others. Obtain medical history accurately and document clearly. Read (decode), write, and understand on demand.
Mobility Ambulatory capability to sufficiently maintain a center of gravity. Ability to ambulate without assistive devices in confined areas, reach laboratory benchtops and equipment.
Motor Skills Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely use blood collection equipment and lab analyzers. Reach, manipulate, and operate equipment, instruments, and supplies to include VP needles and micropipettes. 
Hearing Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess, or document health needs/information. Hear monitor alarms, emergency signals, and cries for help. Hear telephone interactions. Hear dictation being given from multiple directions and when facemasks are being used.
Visual Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in patient/client care, and perform accurate color discrimination. Observe patient/client responses. Discriminate color changes. Accurately read measurement on patient/client-related equipment. Visual dexterity with eye/hand coordination.
Tactile Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment, inclusive of size, shape, temperature, and texture. Performs palpation. Performs functions of examination and/or those related to physical therapeutic intervention, (e.g., insertion of a needle) safely and competently.
Activity Tolerance The ability to tolerate lengthy periods of physical activity. Move quickly and/or tolerate long periods of standing and/or sitting. Perform tasks accurately under time constraints.
Environmental  Ability to tolerate environmental stressors Adapt to rotating shifts. Work with chemicals and detergents. Tolerate exposure to fumes and odors. Work in areas that are close and crowded. Perform with minimal supervision. React quickly to emergency situations and control emotions.