Certificate of Technical Studies in Phlebotomy

Career Description

The BPCC Phlebotomy Program trains individuals to perform accurately and competently skin punctures and venipunctures, collect other specimens or cultures, and transport specimens for laboratory testing. Phlebotomists are generally supervised by nurses, clinical laboratory scientists, or other experienced phlebotomy technicians.

Program Overview

BPCC's Phlebotomy (PBT) Program consists of a Pre-Clinical component and a Clinical component. Students may work at any pace (part time/full time) to complete the pre-Clinical courses (i.e. Qualification Courses) and other requirements. While in the Qualification courses (which have to be completed with a "C" or better) students attend the Clinical Packet meeting and apply for admission to the clinical component. Allied Health Program Applications are available online. Students attend a Clinical Luncheon to learn in detail about clinical rotations. Students interview before a committee made of community healthcare professionals. After admission to clinicals, students attend an orientation meeting to fulfill the requirements of the hospitals. After graduation, students sit for a national certification exam. Passing this exam qualifies students to work as a phlebotomist anywhere in the nation. The program is designed so that a student may complete the Pre-Clinical component in one semester (4 months) and the other required classes and clinical component in one semester (4 months). The phlebotomy program is one of the shortest programs at BPCC. The BPCC Phlebotomy Program is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 8410 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL60631-3415, 773-714-8880.

Progress Chart

Admission to the Phlebotomy Program

To enter the Phlebotomy Program, a person must have a high school diploma or GED, and mark "Phlebotomy" as their major. Applications for admissionPDF File to BPCC may be obtained online or on campus in building F.

Allied Health Program Application

Completed packets are due to the program secretary the second Thursday in April and November each year. The packet must contain the following information:

  • Allied Health Program ApplicationPDF File*
  • Essential RequirementsPDF File*
  • Three Academic Rating Forms (student must get permission from three instructors who agree to fill out the form, and then electronically fill out an Academic Rating Form RequestPDF File) *
  • Physical Exam formPDF File(completed by a doctor) *
  • Hospital Observation formPDF File(completed during ALHT 102) *
  • Copy of driver’s license
  • Copy of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provide Certification
  • Copy of OSHA Certification (or letter from instructor verifying completion)
  • Copy of HIPAA Certification (or letter from instructor verifying completion)
  • Documentation of all immunization and blood test results
    • Hepatitis B vaccination series (a minimum of the first of three injections)
    • Hepatitis B titer (if all three injections, above, have already been received)
    • Varicella titer
    • Rubella titer
    • Negative TB skin test or negative chest x-ray report (current for year)
    • 2 MMR (only 1 MMR if born before 1957)
    • Tetanus (within last 10 years)
  • Health insurance verification

*Note: Contents must be downloaded, completed, and then submitted with packet.

Clinical Packet Meeting

Students attend the Clinical Packet meeting approximately one month prior to the application due date to learn how to fill out the Allied Health Program Application. Details are given on all parts of the application including how to download the required forms from the WEB site, how to fill out the academic rating form request, and how to properly submit verification of required immunizations and blood tests.

Estimate of Cost

The pre-clinical component of the program has only those costs associated with regular tuition per credit hour which is the same for all BPCC students. Once accepted into the clinical component of the program there are additional costsPDF Filerelated to clinical fees, uniforms, immunizations, etc.

Hospital Observation

Students are required to complete a hospital observationPDF Filethe semester they are in ALHT 102/102L, Introduction to Phlebotomy. Observing a phlebotomist at work in a real time setting is not only a requirement for the class, but it is also a requirement for applying for clinicals. Students observe phlebotomy procedures under the one-on-one supervision of a preceptor at Christus Schumpert, Shreveport.

Interview for Hospital Clinicals

Student interviews for ALHT 211: Phlebotomy Hospital Clinicals occur at the end of the fall and spring semesters prior to entering clinicals. Professionals are brought in from around the area to interview the applicants. A standardized interview form with the same questions is used for all students. Students are rated by the interviewers on a scale of 1-5. The Phlebotomy Program secretary must be contacted for an appointment (318-678-6110) after mid-term of the semester prior to clinicals. Students should dress as if interviewing for a job.

Acceptance into Hospital Clinicals

Students receive an e-mail and letter of acceptance or rejection through the mail after the interview based on the selection criteria. A total of fifteen students will be accepted. If more than fifteen students qualify, an alternate is chosen. Students who are not accepted may re-apply and re-interview the next semester.

Selection criteria are as follows:

*Note: If more than fifteen students meet the above criteria, students with the highest GPA for qualification courses will be selected first.

Students who are selected for the clinical component of the PBT Program must be available for early morning and daytime clinical rotations Monday–Friday, a one hour Thursday afternoon meeting with the Clinical Coordinator, and a four hour Thursday evening class with the Clinical Instructor. The schedule for the entire semester is given out the first day of clinicals.

Orientation Meeting

Phlebotomy students will attend an orientation meeting after acceptance into clinicals to fill out forms and meet the requirements of the clinical facilities.

Graduation

After passing second semester classes, the student will don a cap and gown and attend a graduation ceremony in his or her honor. He or she will receive a diploma bearing the Certificate of Technical Studies in Phlebotomy.

National Certification Exam

Students register for the national phlebotomy certification exam at the beginning of ALHT 211: Phlebotomy Hospital Clinical. After passing second semester classes, students may sit for the exam. The cost of the exam, $125.00, is included in the student's tuition. National Certification in Phlebotomy allows individuals to practice phlebotomy anywhere in the nation.

Job Market

The job market for graduates of the BPCC Phlebotomy Program is excellent. BPCC’s program is one of the best in the nation.

Salary

Starting pay in the Shreveport-Bossier area is approximately $7.00-$13.00 per hour. Starting pay nation-wide is higher.

For More Information

Pam Tully, Phlebotomy Program Director
Bossier Parish Community College
6220 East Texas, Bossier City, LA 71111
Office: Building B, Room 108
Phone: Office 318-678-6355 Cell 318-286-3338
E-mail address: ptully@bpcc.edu