Phlebotomy Technician Training - University of Houston
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Phlebotomy Technician Training

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Become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomy technicians are essential to proper healthcare worldwide as they are responsible for drawing blood needed for tests, donations, transfusions, and research. As the population ages and diseases spread across the globe, the need for qualified phlebotomists will only increase. This 100% online course will train you to work as a phlebotomy technician and prepare you for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

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Job Outlook for Certified Phlebotomy Technicians

  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts 17% growth in the demand for phlebotomists between now and 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
  • The BLS also reports that the median annual wage for phlebotomists is $37,380 with top earners pulling in nearly $50,000 per year.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician FAQs

Phlebotomy technicians are responsible for drawing blood needed for tests, donations, transfusions, and research, conducting patient interviews, checking patients' vital signs, and transporting blood samples to the laboratory for testing.
Whether you choose to work in a hospital, medical lab, blood donation center, or doctor’s office, phlebotomy technicians perform an essential function for our healthcare system by working directly with patients as well as doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
According to the BLS, blood analysis remains an essential function in medical laboratories and hospitals. Demand for phlebotomists will remain high as doctors and other healthcare professionals require bloodwork for analysis and diagnosis. In addition to blood analysis, phlebotomists are necessary for blood collection, either at mobile blood centers or dedicated donation centers. These phlebotomists may be especially busy during a health emergency, which can correspond with heightened interest in blood donations.
The course includes a three-day live stick workshop where you will practice your technique and complete the minimum live stick requirements required for certification by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) that includes 30 venipuncture and 10 dermal puncture sticks.

Students enrolled in the Certified Phlebotomy Technician program are eligible for ed2go’s Clinical Experience. Clinic Experience is an unpaid, hands-on experience where students have the opportunity to work at a site after they have completed their course.

Clinical Experiences are not guaranteed, and an application must be submitted prior to the completion of your course (75% complete). Students who are interested in the Clinical Experience must complete their course with a 70% or higher and must be either current with their loan or paid in full. Students will receive information about this process within their course content. For more information on the Clinical Experience, please reach out to clinicalexperience@cengage.com.

Course Objectives

  • Learn the medical terminology needed to work in phlebotomy, including the structures and functions of the human body
  • Gain a comprehensive overview of the roles and responsibilities of a phlebotomy technician
  • Get comprehensive training to help you gain new vocation as a phlebotomy technician and be fully prepared for any clinical scenario
  • Prepare to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • Attend a 3-day workshop where you will meet the minimum live stick component to become a certified phlebotomy technician through NHA

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Prerequisites and Requirements

To take this online course, you must be 18 years of age or older and have one of the following: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent, entrance test, or previous healthcare experience. To qualify for the certification exam, a High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Please check with your state for any specific requirements they might have before registering for the course. In order to attend the workshop, you have to successfully complete the ed2go course and meet eligibility requirements.

Curriculum

    1. Medical Terminology
      1. The Musculoskeletal System
      2. The Cardiovascular System
      3. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
      4. The Respiratory System
      5. The Digestive System
      6. The Urinary System
      7. The Nervous System
      8. The Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
      9. The Integumentary System
      10. The Endocrine System
      11. The Reproductive System
      12. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
  1. Certified Phlebotomy Technician
    1. Introduction to Phlebotomy
    2. Anatomy for Phlebotomy Technicians
    3. Personal and Patient Safety
    4. Infection Control
    5. Quality Control
    6. Foundations and Preparation for Blood Collection
    7. Performing the Blood Collection
    8. Post-Collection Procedures
    9. Dermal Puncture and Capillary Collection
    10. Post-Collection Procedures for Dermal Puncture and Capillary Collection
    11. Special Collections
    12. Special Considerations
    13. Non-Blood Collections and Less Commonly Performed Procedures
    14. Lab Procedures, Processing, and Operations
    15. Legal and Ethical Matters

Instructors

Carline Dalgleish

Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, a master's degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator, and an AHIMA Ap-proved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Dalgleish is the author of an ICD-10 coding system and owns her own consult-ing firm, AnnGrant Educational Services.

Sharon L. Blackford

Sharon L. Blackford, MA, BA, RMA, has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She has a master's degree in Organizational Management, and a bachelor's degree in Business Management and has served as a Registered Medical Assistant since 1994. Sharon was an active-duty Clinical Specialist in the U.S. Army for 10 years. Sharon later moved to the Gulf Coast to accept a position as the Director of Education of Blue Cliff Col-lege and was promoted to Campus Director.

Stacey O'Brien

Stacey O'Brien has more than 10 years of experience in medical coding and reimbursement. Ms. O'Brien has been a risk adjustment coder for a Medicare advantage plan, audited medical records for a consulting firm, and currently supervises the coding and electronic claims submission process for a group medical practice. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a CPC coding certification from the AAPC.

Dr. Barry Martin

Dr. Barry Martin has been working in the medical lab for the past 15 years as a certified medical laboratory scientist. Dr. Martin received his doctorate degree from Liberty University, his master's degree from NC A&T State University, and undergraduate degrees from Winston-Salem State University, UNCG, & Lenoir-Rhyne College. Dr. Martin has a vast amount of experience working in the lab and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others.

Dr. Georgia McCauley

Dr. Georgia McCauley has worked as a phlebotomy and medical laboratory science educator for 25 years and has a certified medical laboratory scientist for over 40 years. She earned a PhD and an MBA in Health Care Administration, and undergraduate degrees in business and medical technology.

Dr. Karen Hunter

Karen Hunter holds a PhD and Master of Science in Health Care Administration and undergraduate degrees in Biology and Medical Technology. She has been a certified Medical Technologist for more than 30 years and has over 20 years of experience in Medical Laboratory Science and Phlebotomy education. Highlights of her career include designing and implementing a Medical Laboratory Science program at the Polytechnic of Na-mibia, Africa and developing Phlebotomy workshops at several Community Colleges.

Registration and Enrollment

This course is open enrollment. You can enroll and begin anytime.

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