Phlebotomy

A phlebotomist plays a vital role in health care by collecting blood specimens from patients for laboratory tests used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Phlebotomists perform venipunctures, finger sticks or heel sticks to obtain specimens.

In addition, phlebotomists also work with laboratory personnel to manage, process and transport specimens collected from patients. In some settings, phlebotomists may perform bedside testing. Phlebotomists work in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are challenged each day with situations requiring specialized knowledge and skill. Hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, nursing homes, research settings and reference labs all employ phlebotomists.

Wake Tech offers a 12-week program to train you to become a phlebotomist. You will receive intense, individualized phlebotomy training in theory and skills during the first eight weeks of the course.

During the last four weeks, you will practice phlebotomy in hospital and clinic settings supervised by highly skilled professionals:

• Cape Fear Valley (Harnett Health)
• Duke Hospital inpatient and outpatient (North) labs
• Duke Raleigh Hospital
• Duke Regional Hospital
• Labcorp
• UNC Hospital - Chapel Hill
• UNC Rex inpatient and outpatient labs
• UNC Rex Holly Springs
• Wake County Health Department
• WakeMed inpatient and outpatient labs
• WakeMed Cary
• WakeMed North

Course work includes proper specimen collection and handling, communication skills and maintaining patient data. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the Phlebotomy examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology's Board of Certification.

Graduates may qualify for employment in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices and other health care settings.

Wake Tech's Phlebotomy program is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (Phone: 773-714-8880).

Criteria for admission

In addition to Wake Tech's general admission requirements, applicants must take the following steps:

1. Submit unofficial transcript(s) from high school, high school equivalency programs and/or previous college(s) in Castlebranch.
2. Complete mandatory preregistration activities defined at the orientation session.
3. Be physically and mentally healthy as validated by a written medical examination record. Submit all required immunization records, including current documentation of TB testing performed, hepatitis B vaccine begun or waived and current flu shot in Castlebranch.
4. Complete BLS CPR through the American Heart Association training and submit in Castlebranch.
5. Provide an official criminal background check to meet the requirements of clinical sites in Castlebranch. The college will direct this process by identifying the agency performing the check and maintaining control of the information through the dean's office.
6. Provide a urine drug screen. The results must meet the requirements of clinical sites. The college will direct this process by identifying the agency performing the drug screen and maintaining control of the information through the dean's office. Information can be found through Castlebranch.
7. Submit personal health insurance information in Castlebranch.
8. Read and accept the nonacademic Phlebotomy Essential Functions statement to assess his or her own abilities to complete this program and demonstrate competence in the profession.

Wake Technical Community College is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.

Financial assistance available

Don't have enough money to pay for a course? Right now, Wake Tech's Propel program offers scholarships that cover the cost of registration and fees.

NOTE: The Propel Scholarship Application is currently closed and will reopen on November 1.

If you are a veteran, it is possible your benefits also may cover the cost of the program. Check with a veterans' benefits specialist for more information.

Program outcomes

Definitions:

1. Completion rate is the number of students who entered the second half of the semester and subsequently completed the program within that semester.
2. The ASCP pass rate is the number of graduates who completed and passed the Board of Certification (BOC) exam on their first attempt within the first year of graduation.
3. Placement rate is the number of graduates who reported finding employment in the clinical laboratory field or a closely related field and/or continued their education within one year of graduation.

Professional licensure

Wake Tech academic programs (credit and non-credit) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.