Work hands-on as a skilled professional in an in-demand career
The Phlebotomy non-credit certificate program offers content pertaining to routine venipuncture and dermal techniques; non-blood collection procedures; proper specimen handling; safety and infection control; venipuncture equipment; complications; medical ethics; confidentiality; and effective communication. Students will also learn about the function of a full-service laboratory. The clinical experience is scheduled as if it were a full-time job (day shift, Monday-Friday, 8 hours per day, no evenings or weekend hours).
Phlebotomy involves the collection of routine venipuncture and dermal blood samples for laboratory testing, transfusions, research, and blood donations. This comprehensive eight-week program includes classroom and laboratory instruction as well as clinical experience. Students must have the manual dexterity required to perform blood draws and other lab procedures.
Spring 2024
Didactic instruction will be offered completely online. The laboratory component will be divided the class into two (2) sections and each section will have 1.5 hours of hands-on instruction on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, for 5 weeks, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. You will be notified of the section and times of lab prior to the start of the semester. A 100-hour clinical rotation follows the successful completion of the 5-week didactic/laboratory course.
Tuesday January 9 - Friday March 8, 2024
Program Overview
At the completion of the Phlebotomy Certificate program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of important concepts of healthcare delivery such as infection control, safety, quality assurance, and legal implications associated with the role of phlebotomy.
- Understand basic medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology that are associated with the procurement of quality laboratory specimens.
- Apply knowledge of blood and other specimen collection equipment to maximize results in the clinical setting.
- Perform venipuncture and other specimen collection procedures safely and competently.
- Integrate pre-analytical considerations into the procurement of quality specimens.
- Display ability to communicate professionally and confidently with clients and co-workers.
Applicants must be high school graduates or GED recipients.
Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.
The Certificate program in Phlebotomy is a comprehensive program and provides students with 55 contact hours of didactic and laboratory education and 100 hours of clinical externship. The program offers instruction in phlebotomy safety, infection control, venipuncture equipment, routine venipuncture and dermal techniques, complications, medical ethics, confidentiality, patient communication, and specimen handling. Some non-blood collection procedures will also be discussed as well as the operations of full services laboratories. Upon successful completion, students are eligible for a national phlebotomy credentialing exam provided by Mercy College.
Program Completion
Students must complete the lecture and lab portion of the course (CED PH01) with a minimum of 76% and successfully complete the required skills to progress to the clinical portion of the program (CED PH02). During the clinical component, students will successfully complete over 100 venipunctures, 5 capillary punctures, and receive a satisfactory evaluation from the clinical preceptor. Students must complete lecture, lab, and clinical requirements in order to be awarded a certificate of program completion.
A cumulative grade lower than a “C,” is considered a failure. Students who fail the Phlebotomy program or withdraw from the course will not receive a course refund or certificate of completion.
Program At A Glance
$34,480
median wage for a phlebotomist in 2018
23% projected job growth (much faster than average)
from 2018 through 2028
5 week classroom/laboratory program
Tuition includes textbooks and NCCT national registry exam fee
Career Outlook
Employment Growth
The job outlook for phlebotomists indicates a 23% projected growth from 2018 through 2028, much faster than average for other occupations. Hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and other healthcare sites will continue to require skilled phlebotomists as members of the healthcare team.
Salary Range
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for phlebotomists in 2018 was $34,480.
Program Cost and Expenses
Total Program Cost: $2,295
Cost includes textbook, lab supplies, liability insurance, and NCCT national exam fee.
Out of pocket expenses include:
Background check, fingerprinting and drug screen, as well as health requirements, and scrubs to wear at the clinical experience. Student drug screening, fingerprinting & background checks must be completed no later than the 4th Friday of class. The cost of establishing your CastleBranch account, where you upload the results for the pre-clinical requirements, is approximately $170.00.
This program is not financial aid eligible.