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Phlebotomy Program

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Program Info

  • Length Of Study:

    4-18 weeks, depending on the education provider; an unpaid clinical externship is required, with documented successful blood withdrawals needed for completion and to sit for certification.

  • Career Level:

    Gateway/ Entry-Level

  • Online Type:

    Hybrid / In-Classroom

About

Phlebotomists' primary responsibility is to collect blood samples from patients for testing, transfusions, donations, and research.

Phlebotomists are trained in skin puncture and venipuncture to obtain blood samples. Blood can be drawn for testing in a clinical laboratory or a blood bank. After collecting blood samples, phlebotomists prepare blood, and other body fluid specimens, for on-site testing or shipment to another laboratory for testing.

To register patients and search for provider orders and laboratory test results on computer information systems, it is necessary to know medical terminology and have data entry skills.

Hospitals, doctor’s offices, blood donation centers, clinics, and nursing homes employ phlebotomists.

Length of Study

4-18 weeks, depending on the education provider; an unpaid clinical externship is required, with documented successful blood withdrawals needed for completion and to sit for certification.

Prerequisites

Jump Start Course: Human Touch Healthcare

Learning Outcomes

The Certified Phlebotomy Technician I program focuses on essential infection control, anatomy and medical terminology, and technique and safety protocols.

Students will learn general phlebotomy techniques and specimen preparation

  • Basic phlebotomy practices.
    • Medical terminology for technicians.
    • Basic human anatomy and physiology.
    • Specimen, equipment, and collection tray identification.
    • Site selection and preparation.
    • Collection equipment.
    • Venipuncture, skin puncture, and post-puncture care.
  • Infection Control and Safety
    • Lab safety.
    • Clinical and Hospital safety.
    • Potential error, risk, and risk prevention.
  • Medical Ethics, Legal Issues & Communication
    • Medical communication and medical ethics.
    • Workplace stress.
    • Coworker and patient behavior.
    • Aspects of quality assurance.
    • Certification and review.
  • Phlebotomy Externship:
    • Students are expected to apply concepts and skills learned in class to actual patients.

Graduates can sit for the CPTI license in California, approved by the State of California Department of Laboratory and Field Services.

Online Type

Hybrid / In-Classroom

Credential Awarded

  • Certificate of completion

Occupation

Lab Liaison Technician, Mobile Examiner, Patient Service Technician (PST), Phlebotomist, Phlebotomy Technician, Registered Phlebotomist, Certified Phlebotomist

Career Level

Gateway/ Entry-Level

Student Support

  • Each of our educational partners will offer student support services, and you will have access to their respective student handbooks
  • Along your scholar journey, your assigned Futuro Health Coach will give you more coaching and help.

Student Cost

  • Futuro Health supports the mission to expand the broadest network of healthcare professionals through our generous annual financial support.
  • The Futuro Health Scholarship Fund will pay the entire tuition for scholars who enroll in this program in 2023.
  • There will be some minimum out-of-pocket expenses for the application and enrollment processes for scholars. Here is a list of these expenses:
  • $150 non-refundable application fee for Jump Start coursework and gateway training program.
    • $77–$119 Background Check and Drug Screen cost. A one-time background check and drug screen are required for those enrolling in programs that include clinical externships.
    • Up-to-date Immunization costs. Current immunizations are required for those enrolling in clinical programs. Some healthcare providers require payment for immunizations, while others may cover the cost with insurance.
  • For additional optional benefits, students can join SEIU-Healthcare UHW's Justice Division. The monthly fee for this SEIU-UHW membership is $20. Current SEIU-UHW members are exempt from paying this $20 monthly fee.

Education Provider Locations

*Online education providers may be available for this program.

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Fast Facts

Job Outlook

California's employment should grow by 24% by 2030. $47,080 annual median salary.

Work Environment

Phlebotomists are employed in hospitals, physician’s offices, blood donation centers, clinics, and laboratories. Additionally, employment opportunities exist in mobile units, and home health draws.

Career Opportunities

The phlebotomist may be hired as an entry-level Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) and later certified as a Phlebotomy Technician I and II; advancement to a Laboratory Assistant or Clinical Lab Assistant position is also possible.

Duties

  • Dispose of contaminated sharps according to applicable laws, standards, and policies.
  • Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile, and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
  • Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
  • Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
  • Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue according to applicable laws, standards, or policies.
  • Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
  • Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
  • Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist with diagnosis.
  • Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into the computer.
  • Document the route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and diagnosis.
  • Draw blood from capillaries by dermal punctures, such as heel or finger stick methods.
  • Conduct hemoglobin tests to ensure donor iron levels are normal.
  • Safely transport specimens or fluid samples from collection sites to laboratories.
  • Collect fluid or tissue samples using appropriate collection procedures.
  • Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
  • Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.
  • Monitor blood or plasma donors during and after procedures to ensure health, safety, and comfort.
  • Calibrate or maintain machines, such as those used for plasma collection.

Day in the Life

Phlebotomists have a reputation for beginning their days early.

If you work in a busy hospital, your shifts may shift frequently. You may work a night shift one week, followed by a "normal" 9-to-5 shift the following week. A phlebotomist will be on shift twenty-four hours a day in a hospital. In smaller laboratories or mobile units, shifts are early mornings, seven days a week.

Many clinicians prefer to test patients' blood while they are in a homeostatic state in the early morning, often before eating breakfast, engaging in vigorous exercise, or doing anything else.

Before collecting blood, phlebotomists must identify the correct patient, medical records, and date of birth. This requires keen attention to detail.

Enrollment

Minimum Qualifications

  • Upon acceptance to a program with Futuro Health, will you seek a job in this field for which you are being trained?
  • Are you at least 18 years old?
  • Are you able to provide proof of high school diploma/GED or equivalency?
  • Are you legally allowed to work in the United States?
  • Are you able to pass a background check with no felony conviction?
  • Are you willing to commit 3-5 hours per day (estimated at 20+ hours per week) of study time for your coursework?
  • Do you have regular access to high-speed Internet?
  • Do you have regular access to a computer or laptop that is less than seven years old?
  • Do you have proficiency in English fluency reading and comprehension?
  • If applicable, are you comfortable working with bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and mucus?
  • Are you willing to take a drug test if needed?

  • All Phlebotomy educational providers may require the following immunizations:

    • 2 x MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) or titer immunity in the last 3 months

    • 2 x Varicella (chickenpox) or titer immunity in the last 3 months

    • 3 x Hepatitis B or titer immunity in the last 3 months

    • 2 x COVID-19 and booster prior to the start of their externship. For proof of injections there is a 3-week gap needed between the 1st and 2nd immunization and booster.

    • A PPD Mantoux test (TB), blood titer, or chest X-ray showing non-infection is required. Most often, this is not required until nearing your externship start date (typically within 6 months). This is either a one or two-step PPD Mantoux test.

    • 2 x COVID-19 and booster prior to the start of their externship (For proof of injections there is a 3-week gap needed between the 1st and 2nd immunization and booster).
  • Are you willing to complete and provide proof of all immunizations and vaccinations? (Please note that completing immunizations could take up to 6 months for unvaccinated individuals).
    • Yes/ No
  • This program requires a full-time clinical externship to complete the program, which may require you to: Coordinate your work and family obligations, as applicable (i.e., childcare, transportation, work schedule, etc.); Have availability up to 40 hours per week until your externship hours are fulfilled; Maintain flexibility to attend externships based on available locations and external site offerings provided to you by your educational provider. Are you able to commit to these requirements?
    • Yes/ No

Preferred Qualifications

  • Family or friend referred by a member of SEIU-UHW who is in good standing.
  • Have a proficient level of attention to detail in written and verbal communication.
  • How much do you agree or disagree with this statement? I see myself as dependable/self-disciplined.
  • How much do you agree or disagree with this statement? I see myself as disorganized/careless.

Additional Requirements

  • For any in-person obligations, you will have to have reliable transportation.
  • To properly complete the course, it is recommended that you have at least intermediate English fluency. If you are uncertain of your English proficiency, you can take our English-readiness test.
  • You will need to produce two official copies of your high school diploma, transcripts, or GED to the education provider.

Disclaimer: Futuro Health reserves the right to change or update program requirements and qualifications at any time.