PROGRAM SUMMARY / NOTES
  

The Phlebotomy Program prepares the student to become a professional Phlebotomist, acquiring both classroom and practical skills to ensure competency and to provide the necessary background to pass a national registry examination. The study of Phlebotomy involves not only proficiency and knowledge of venipuncture, but also a variety of scientific, ethical, and legal topics. Phlebotomists play a critical role in laboratories, collection facilities, or blood donor centers. Profressional phlebotomists also learn essential skills that help in a variety of other medical fields including Nursing, Clinical Laboratory, Medical Doctor, Physician's Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Respiratory Therapy, and Radiology/Sonography.

Employment Opportunities

There is currently a demand for phlebotomists in the Fort Worth Metroplex Region and nearby counties. The average pay range is $10-17/hour; average $12.00/hour. Shift differential for second and third shifts, as well as holidays, increases the pay rate.  

• Phlebotomy Classes are held three times yearly: Summer, Fall, and Spring.

• We meet 2 times weekly in the Fall & Spring, usually on Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 - 3:20 p.m., for half of the semester. This is the laboratory/lecture portion. We cover many topics, including Medical Professionalism, Confidentiality, Legal Issues, as well as Venipuncture and Dermal puncture. Students practice on the stick arms, on each other, and optionally at health fairs. Students also perform waived laboratory testing.

• The second half of the semester students go to Clinical Rotations in the Decatur, Bridgeport, Weatherford, Fort Worth, Stephenville, Glen Rose, and Granbury area. Summer students rotate 32 hrs/week; Spring & Fall students rotate 24 hrs/week.

• The Fall and Spring semesters are approximately 16 weeks long, so each portion of the curriculum lasts about 8 weeks.

• In the Summer semester we meet 3x weekly, from 9 - 3:20 p.m., usually M T W, for the Lab/Lecture curricula. Clinical Rotations follow. Each half of the curriculum lasts approximately 6 weeks, for a total of 12 weeks.

• We will have occasional 8:00 a.m. meeting to cover Special Topics in Phlebotomy. This is a hybrid class with face-to-face and online components.

• Phlebotomy Technology articulates into the Tarleton State University Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences Medical Laboratory Technician Programas MLAB 282. (See TSU link)

• The class is a lot of fun, and a good way to begin a medical career, or a good platform on which to work into other medical fields.

• All students will learn Venipuncture according to the Accepted Standard of Care.