Lecture topics covered include venipuncture, capillary collection, safety, medical terminology, orientation to the clinical laboratory and health care, and specimen handling and processing. Students spend 100 hours in a hospital laboratory practicing blood collection techniques under supervision. Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for national certification exams and to seek employment as phlebotomists. The course is a combination of lectures, laboratories, and clinical experiences. Subjects covered include general laboratory techniques, safety, professional issues, an introduction to computers, and some basic concepts and analyses from each of the major areas of the medical laboratory.
Students spend approximately one hour per week at a hospital developing blood collection skills.
1.00 Students develop proficiency in basic laboratory procedures in hematology and hemostasis, including complete blood counts, platelet counts, differentials, basic coagulation tests, cell counts, and speciment collection and handling. Instrumentation is introduced. Emphasis is on frequently-performed tests, spectrophotometry, manual procedures, developing organizational skills, and quality control. Instrumentation is introduced. Students spend 8 hours per week for 5 weeks in each at a clinical site, performing routine tests under supervision.