The California Department of Health Services Laboratory Field Services has created new regulations and legislative changes in order to establish higher standards and more stringent, requirements, for phlebotomy. As a direct result of these legislative changes several new programs were established, including Certified Phlebotomy Technician IA. A Certified Phlebotomy Technician IA will be able to perform venipunctures and skin punctures in a Clinical Laboratory, Doctor Office, Hospital Emergency Department or Independent Draw Station, Police Department or Life Insurance Company. A Certified Phlebotomy Technician IA is part of a career ladder towards Certified Phlebotomy Technician II, Medical Laboratory Technician and Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• Hospital Clinical Laboratory
• Doctors Office
• Independent Draw Station
• Public Health Department
• Police Department
• Life Insurance Company

ESTIMATED COSTS

• Text Book— approx. $60.00
• Uniform—scrubs, goggles & school patch— approx. $60.00
• National Examination Fee—$90.00
• Mal-Practice Insurance—$17.50
• VVC 5 Unit class @ $20.00 per unit = $105.00
• Total Estimated Costs: $332.50 plus parking & ASB fees.

PREREQUISITES

• High School Graduate or GED, or Documentation of Equivalent Education OR College Diploma
• 18 years of age or older

REQUIRED CURRICULUM FOR PHLEBOTOMY

• Didactic (40 hours classroom)
  • This portion of the curriculum will include both Basic and Advanced curriculum components. These subjects will be presented in sequential manner in order to establish a smooth transition from that of student to entry level professional.

I. Basic Phlebotomy Curriculum

• Infection control
• Standard precautions
• Laboratory Safety
• Anatomy/Physiology/Medical Terminology related to major body systems
• Patient and Specimen Identification
• Proper selection and preparation of skin puncture site
• Proper selection of antiseptic
• Proper selection of blood collection equipment
• Proper selection of tubes and additives
• Proper order of draw
• Proper post puncture care
• Appropriate disposal of sharps needles and waste

II. Advanced Phlebotomy Curriculum

• Advanced infectious disease control and bio hazards
• Anticoagulation theory
• Pre-analytical sources of error in specimen collection, transportation, processing, and storage
• Anatomical site location and patient preparation
• Risk factors and responses to complications
• Corrective actions related to test requisitions, specimen transport, and processing
• Communication, interpersonal relations, stress management, professional behavior
• Ethics and legal implications
• Quality assurance
• Legal issues
• Observation of two arterial punctures

*Before a student is allowed to enter the externship component, they must demonstrate a minimum of 10 successful venipunctures and 10 successful skin punctures. Additionally, the student will be required to obtain a standard physical examination and obtain required immunizations and tests (MMR, PPD, HBV, VAR). The student is financially responsible for the physical examination and immunizations.

EXTERNSHIP
(40 hours Hospital/Clinical/Lab)

The student will be presented with 40 hours of dynamic clinical experience at a local hospital in the High Desert: during this time the student will perform a minimum of 50 successful venipunctures and 10 successful skin punctures on adult and pediatric patients with varying disease processes. The student will also have to observe two arterial blood gases. Additionally, the student will be able to tour the different departments within the clinical laboratory and obtain knowledge and skills of those departments necessary to establish a firm professional foundation.

NATIONAL EXAMINATION

Victor Valley College has established a proctor site with Multi-skilled Medical Certification Institute in Overland Park, Kansas. The Institute is an independent third party testing agency whose commitment is to provide the highest quality certification examinations in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. The Victor Valley College Allied Health Department will host the pretests and the National Certification on-line examination. These tests will be administered on pre-elected dates upon the successful completion of the didactic and clinical components. Multi-skilled Medical Certification Institute exceeds all industry standards and State of California requirements. The Institute is fully approved and accredited by the California Department of Health Services, Laboratory Field Services.

CONTACT INFORMATION

William D. White, RN
Medical Assistant Coordinator/Phlebotomy Director
Phone: 760-245-4271, Ext. 2417
Fax: 760 951-5861
E-mail: whiteb@vvc.edu

General Information
Health Sciences/Allied Health Office Assistant 760-245-4271, Ext. 2463