Moraine Valley Community College phlebotomy students are leaving their mark on the college at a perfect rate. Students in the program passed the 2017 Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam at 100 percent.
This exam is a credential that signifies mastery-level knowledge of phlebotomy procedures and theory. More employers seek these credentials because they are accredited.
“Though past Moraine Valley phlebotomy graduates have done well on the PBT (ASCP) exam, this is the first time in over 20 years that every graduate who took the exam in a calendar year passed. It’s a milestone,” said Colette Schrank, medical terminology and phlebotomy professor.
The PBT (ASCP) exam is a timed two-hour computer adaptive test where applicants are given a question from one of six categories. Every correct answer yields more challenging questions until an incorrect answer is given. The six categories include: circulatory system, specimen collection, specimen processing and handling, point of care testing, non-bloodlood specimens, and laboratory operations. The national pass rate is 90 percent; however, Moraine Valley students have passed at a 95 percent rate for the past three years.
“The PBT (ASCP) is a well-respected credential, one which the current students aspire to. This is a credential that most area employers prefer,” Schrank said. “This national certification is recognized throughout the U.S. Some states require licensure, however, and the PBT (ASCP) is the first step in that process.”
