Phlebotomy Certification Prep

Phlebotomy photo

The Phlebotomy Certification course is designed to train individuals to properly collect and process blood and other specimens for laboratory testing and to interact with patients and other healthcare personnel. The course is also designed to prepare individuals to take the Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam, given by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The clinical rotation is a supervised practicum in a hospital setting that provides practical experience in phlebotomy. Emphasis is placed on collection techniques, specimen processing, workflow practices, and utilizing laboratory information systems.

Course Objectives

This course covers a lot of information and the main course objectives to understand:

  • Understand the role of various laboratory departments as well as other departments in the hospital.
  • Acquire the knowledge of prevention techniques for diseases that can affect healthcare personnel.
  • Acquire knowledge of legal, professional, and safety issues associated with phlebotomy, including infection control and isolation procedures.
  • Acquire knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the major body systems.
  • Learn the components of peripheral blood.
  • Learn procedures for special blood collections and the reasons for performing them.
  • Understand the importance of quality assurance and quality control.
  • Learn how to perform venipunctures (vacutainer, syringe, and butterfly) and dermal punctures as well as explain the reasons for using the different methods.
  • Be able to identify complications of phlebotomy.
  • Learn how to process non-blood laboratory specimens.
  • Understand the significance of laboratory tests as related to disease.
  • Learn how to perform CPR.

Materials Needed

  • Textbook $150 approx.
  • Drug Screen $50
  • Criminal Background Check $20
  • Malpractice Insurance $15
  • CPR Certification Card $10
  • Student ID Badge $5
  • Additional Fees –
    • Health Immunizations – Cost will vary based on individual’s immunization status
    • Optional:  Certification test fee $117 approx.

Clear Health Form including updated immunization record signed by healthcare provider is due by week 4 of the program.   The cost varies and may be covered by some health insurance companies.

** Please note that costs are approximations and are subject to change.

Course Specific Information

All students are responsible for:

  • All students must have health insurance or indigent care coverage. Short-term student insurance is available through COBRA and other companies. Verification of coverage
  • Successful completion of random drug screening and background check.  Failure to take or pass the random drug screening or background check will result in immediate dismissal from the program.  (No refunds will be issued for the program.)
  • Required health immunizations. Cost varies based on immunization status.
    • TB Skin Test
    • MMR (two are required within lifetime)
    • Varicella
    • Hepatitis B
    • Flu
    • Tetanus (optional but recommended every ten years)

Clinical Rotations:

  • Clinical partners have different health and vaccination requirements. These are the responsibility of the student and the cost is not included in the registration fee.
    Failure to produce documentation of positive health and vaccination requirements will result in termination from the program without a refund.
  • Clinical rotations will be conducted during “clinic” hours, typically 7:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. The last four weeks are blocked off on your schedule during which you will obtain your 48 clinical hours. Students are required to complete 48 hours of clinical externship to successfully complete the program.
  • Clinical sites are assigned by the Clinical Coordinator.  Refusal of assigned clinical site may result in failure of the program.
  • Students must complete 100% of total clinical hours.
  • Transportation to clinical assignment

Certificate

Upon completion of the Phlebotomy Certification Program students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from Jefferson State Community College and students are encouraged to take a national certification examination. Certifying agencies require formal application, fee, and official notification of program completion.

Eligibility for certification:

  • The cost to take the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)  Exam is $117. This fee is not included in the registration fee.
  • Students who receive passing scores on the examination are awarded certificates by the certifying agency and are given the right to indicate their credentials after their name.
  • Continued certification requires yearly continuing education credits and fees as dictated by the organization.

Registration Information

Registration can be completed via online or in-person at the Jefferson or Shelby-Hoover Campuses.

Walk-in registration is accepted during our regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the following locations:

Jefferson Campus
2601 Carson Road
George Wallace Hall, Office 202
Birmingham, AL 35215

Shelby-Hoover Campus
4600 Valleydale Road
Health Science Building, Office 432
Birmingham, AL 35242

Course Fee

$999

Schedule

Courses are offered on an ongoing basis and we offer open enrollment. To view a complete schedule, go to the following link: Click Here

Scholarship Opportunities

Career Pathways
Career Pathways allows qualifying students to benefit from activities related to workplace readiness, academic and career counseling, and academic preparation while enrolling in selected Non-Credit Fast Track programs.

Tuition assistance may be available for Adult Education students to assist with registration. Please Click Here to apply

Jeremiah’s Hope
The Jeremiah’s Hope program provides scholarships to students seeking workforce training in high-need essential healthcare fields. Classes will take place across Jefferson State’s four campuses and currently are taking place in a hybrid learning environment. To learn more about these training opportunities, contact Angela Payne, Career Coach, at [email protected] or (205) 856-8040.

WIOA
Local Alabama Career Centers provide WIOA (Workforce Investment Opportunity Act) scholarship opportunities to qualifying students for some workforce training programs. Eligibility is based on various factors, including income. Contact the Birmingham Career Center at 205-582-5200 or Ken King at our career center on site at Jefferson State for more information 205-856-8029 or [email protected].