Phlebotomy
Certificate
Curriculum code 1306
Course Requirements                    Health Sciences Web site

Laboratory scientists, technologists and technicians require blood specimens that have been obtained promptly, efficiently and safely by qualified phlebotomists. The phlebotomist is an integral member of the laboratory team. This individual must be well trained in all aspects of specimen collection and processing. The phlebotomist must also be able to maintain high standards of professionalism with clients or patients. To ensure quality training is available to persons interested in this field of work, Moraine Valley has developed a training program in phlebotomy. This certificate program presents the basics of phlebotomy in three courses consisting of nine credit hours.

This program is intended to lead to employment. If you are considering transferring to a four-year college or university to obtain a bachelor’s degree using the courses from this program, make an appointment with an academic advisor to review your options.

Criminal Background Checks—In order to comply with certain state statutes and/or clinical affiliation agreements, students are asked to complete a criminal background check. Application forms for criminal background checks may be obtained through the Career Programs Subdivision Office, B150, and fees paid to the Cashier’s Office. For information on criminal background application procedures, please contact the Career Programs Subdivision Office at (708) 974-5708. Deadline dates for completion of criminal background checks will be announced by Program Coordinators.

Drug screen—In order to comply with clinical affiliation agreements, students are asked to submit to and successfully complete a drug test.

Nature of Work—Phlebotomists obtain blood specimens promptly, efficiently and safely from patients and clients. They are employed by private laboratories, blood centers, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. The phlebotomist is an integral member of the laboratory technical and scientific team.

Related Job Title—Phlebotomist

Employment Outlook—Job opportunities are expected to be excellent because the number of job openings is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2012, as the volume of laboratory tests increases with both population growth and the development of new types of tests. Technological advances will continue to have two opposing effects on employment through 2012. On the one hand, new and increasingly powerful diagnostic tests will encourage additional testing and spur employment. On the other hand, research and development efforts targeted at simplifing routine testing procedures may enhance the ability of non-laboratory personnel—physicians and patients in particular—to perform tests now conducted in laboratories. Although hospitals are expected to continue to be the major employer of clinical laboratory workers, employment is expected to grow faster in medical and diagnostic laboratories, offices of physicians, and other ambulatory health care services including blood and organ banks. Although significant, job growth will not be the only source of opportunities. Many openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire, or stop working for some other reason.

According to the 2005 Salary Survey by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, median salary for phlebotomists was: $26,214 (range: $23,848-28,560). For phlebotomy supervisors the median salary was $36,965 (range: $32,620-41,310). Locally salaries range from $24,889 -35,886, according to www.salary.com.

For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Placement Center in the Center for Contemporary Technology, T904, (708) 974-5737.

This program is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 8410 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL.