The Blinn College District recently recognized four Phlebotomy Technician Program graduates with certificates of completion.
Catherine O. Arida, Sarah E. Desormeaux, Anita L. Guilfoil, and Emily E. Wall fulfilled the coursework and clinical training necessary to fill vital roles in the healthcare field.
“Phlebotomy is a high-demand, versatile specialty that offers fulfilling careers for our graduates,” said Karla Flanagan, Dean of Technical and Community Education. “The skills our program teaches prepares them to succeed as phlebotomy technicians and can serve as a foundation for nursing school or other career paths in the medical field.”
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. They may explain procedures to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
Blinn’s three-month Phlebotomy Technician Program educates students in a variety of blood collection methods using proper techniques and precautions. Students learn state-of-the-art skills for collecting with vacuum devices, syringes, capillary skin puncture, butterfly needles, and blood culture specimen collection on adults, children, and infants. The program emphasizes medical safety through infection prevention, proper patient identification and specimen labeling, and quality assurance.
The program consists of three courses, including 96 hours in the classroom and 116 hours in a clinical setting. The classroom portion focuses on theoretical mastery of phlebotomy rules, regulations, and practices. Students must pass a skills test before Blinn arranges the clinical portion of their education.
Course curriculum is designed and implemented based on nationally recognized training, assessment, and certification standard set forth by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Courses are structured to promote quality student interactions with experienced faculty who are licensed phlebotomists.
Upon successful completion of the program, Blinn provides a certificate of completion. Students are encouraged to further their credentials by applying for national certification through the ASCP or another recognized organization.
“I became interested in becoming a phlebotomy technician as a step toward helping me reach my goal of becoming a nurse,” said Sarah Desormeaux, a recent graduate from Bryan whose sister also completed the program in 2014. “This course is a great way to get started on a medical field career path. When I began, I did not have any jobs lined up, but upon completion of my clinicals, I was offered a position as a phlebotomist.”
Job opportunities for this in-demand field are available in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and blood donor centers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomy technicians earn an average median wage of $17.07 per hour, and the national demand for these positions is expected to grow 17% between 2019 and 2029.
The Phlebotomy Technician Program is part of Blinn’s Division of Technical and Community Education, which includes courses designed to provide students with the knowledge and ability they need to enter the workforce immediately after completion. Many of these classes do not require a high school diploma and enrollment is fast and easy. For non-credit courses, students do not need to go through the College’s admissions process to enroll. Programs vary in length and are offered with daytime, evening, and weekend options.
Blinn offers students access to scholarships through the Blinn College Foundation, private grants, and Workforce Solutions.
The next sections of Blinn’s Phlebotomy Technician Program begin Jan. 19, 2021, on the Brenham and Bryan campuses. To enroll in the program, students must first participate in a mandatory online healthcare information session.
For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/phlebotomy-technician or email [email protected].
