Phlebotomy
Phlebotomists are healthcare professionals who collect blood and other specimens for laboratory analysis. They play a vital role in assisting medical teams by ensuring specimens are accurately collected, labeled, and handled.
The Phlebotomy program at Southeastern Community College prepares students with the knowledge and hands-on training needed to perform specimen collection, maintain patient records, and communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals.
Two or more semesters may be required to complete pre-admission coursework. Graduates may be eligible for national certification as phlebotomy technicians.
Course Information
Coursework includes proper specimen collection and handling, communication skills, and maintaining patient data. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor before the Phlebotomy Program application deadline to ensure the proper completion of prerequisite courses.
Below are the available awards for the Phlebotomy program. Click a program name to view full course requirements and descriptions in the catalog.
Certificates
Program Outcomes
Outcomes
| Year | Graduation Rate Outcomes % | Certification Outcomes % | Employment Placement Rate Outcomes % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2023 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2023–2024 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2024–2025 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Key Definitions
- Graduation Rate Outcome is defined as the number of students who entered the second part of the Phlebotomy course and completed the program within the expected timeframe.
- Certification Outcome is defined as the number of graduates who completed and passed the Phlebotomy Certification Exam on their first attempt within the first year of graduation.
- Employment Placement Rate Outcome is defined as the number of graduates who found employment in the phlebotomy field or a closely related field and/or continued their education within one year of graduation.
The Phlebotomy program at Southeastern Community College is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (Phone: 773-714-8880).
Career Opportunities
Phlebotomy graduates are prepared for employment in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, blood donation centers, and other healthcare settings. The demand for trained phlebotomists continues to grow as laboratories and healthcare facilities expand services across the region.
Program Links
Explore the following resources to learn more about the phlebotomy profession, certification organizations, and related career information.
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) – Phlebotomy
- Center for Phlebotomy Education
- Wikipedia: Phlebotomy
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Phlebotomists
- Houston Chronicle: Information on Being a Phlebotomist
- American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
- American Phlebotomy Association
- National Association of Phlebotomy
- Out-of-State Students
Essential Criteria for Phlebotomists
Healthcare professionals must perform specific essential functions to provide safe care, generate accurate data, and communicate effectively with patients and other healthcare personnel. To effectively train phlebotomy professionals, these functions are incorporated throughout the program. Faculty and students are required to demonstrate proficiency in these functions during campus labs and clinical practicums. The essential functions include:
- Critical Thinking — Ability sufficient for clinical judgment. For example, students must be able to identify cause–effect relationships in clinical situations, research and analyze data to aid in problem-solving, and read and comprehend text, numbers, and graphs displayed in print and on a video monitor.
- Interpersonal Skills — Ability to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. For example, students must establish rapport with patients and healthcare team members.
- Communication Skills — Ability for effective verbal and written interaction. For example, students explain specimen collection procedures and communicate with faculty members, peers, staff, and other healthcare professionals verbally and in writing.
- Mobility — Sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces while standing or walking for extended periods. For example, students must move around a patient’s room, reach patients lying in a bed, and move close to bench-top instruments such as microscopes.
- Motor Skills — Ability to perform test procedures accurately. For example, students make fine adjustments to hand-held objects, handle contaminated needles safely, and move 20-pound instruments from one area to another.
- Hearing Ability — Ability to monitor equipment and assess needs. For example, students hear monitor alarms, announcements, and patient calls for help.
- Visual Ability — Ability to observe and assess laboratory procedures. For example, students observe specimen reaction colors, turbidity, and patient responses.
- Tactile Ability — Sufficient for collecting blood specimens. For example, students palpate skin to locate veins.
- Weight-Bearing Ability — Ability to lift and move 20-pound instruments or boxes of supplies from one area to another.
- Cognitive Ability — Ability to be oriented to time, place, and person as well as to organize responsibilities and make decisions. For example, students organize and prioritize routine and emergency analyses.
Southeastern Community College is an ADA-compliant institution and does not discriminate based on disability in admission or access to programs, services, or activities for qualified individuals who meet essential eligibility requirements. The college provides reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities.
Accessibility Services offers assistance to students requesting disability-related accommodations. Students who believe they cannot meet one or more of the essential functions without accommodations should contact Accessibility Services as soon as possible.
Students must certify the ability to meet essential functions of the profession by signing a statement at the beginning of the program.
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