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-PBT component and a Clinical component. Students may work at any pace (part time/full time) to complete the pre-PBT courses and other requirements. While in the pre-PBT courses (which have to be completed with a "C" or better) students apply for admission to the clinical component. Allied Health Program Applications are available online. The student must interview before a committee made of community healthcare professionals. The program is designed so that a student may complete the pre-PBT 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.
Program Curriculum (Courses Required)
| Pre-Phlebotomy (Qualification) Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| (must be completed prior to beginning clinical classes) | ||
| ZLGY 110: | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| ZLGY 120: | Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| ZLGY 120L: | Introductory Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab | 1 |
| ALHT 102/102L | Introduction to Phlebotomy | 3 |
| ALHT 109: | Health Care Systems/Safety | 2 |
| Total hours: | 13 | |
| (Students are selected by interview committee to enter clinicals.) | ||
| Clinical PBT Courses | Hours | |
| CIS 105: | Computer Concepts | 3 |
| PSYC 202 | Practical Psychology | 3 |
| or PSYC 220 | Developmental Psychology | |
| ALHT 211 : | Phlebotomy Clinical | 7 |
| Total clinical hours: | 13 | |
| Total credit hours: | 26 | |
| NOTE: In addition to the above classes, English, reading, and math classes may be required depending on ACT or placement test scores. | ||
Admission to the Phlebotomy Program
To enter the Phlebotomy Program, a person must have a high school diploma or GED, to BPCC, and mark “Phlebotomy” as their major. Applications for admission to BPCC may be obtained online or on campus in building F.
Allied Health Program Application
Completed packets are due to the program director the second Thursday in April and November each year. The packet must contain the following information:
- Allied Health Program Application
- Essential Requirements
- Three Academic Rating Forms (student must electronically fill out an Academic Rating Form Request)
- Physical Exam form (completed by a doctor)
- Hospital Observation form (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)
- Health insurance verification
*Note: Contents must be downloaded, completed, and then submitted with packet
Estimate of Cost
The pre-clinical component 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 costs related to clinical fees, uniforms, immunizations, etc.
Orientation Meetings
Phlebotomy students will attend two orientation meetings, one at mid-term to explain clinical rotations and the Application Packet, and one after acceptance into clinicals to fill out forms and meet the requirements of the clinical facilities.
Hospital Observation
Students are required to complete a hospital observation the 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:
- Three Academic Rating Forms (student must electronically fill out an Academic Rating Form Request) (averaged for a minimum of 70%)
- Interview scores (averaged for a minimum of 70%)
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) for qualification courses of 2.0.
- Allied Health Program Application
*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.
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 Clinicals. After passing second semester classes, students may sit for the exam. The cost of the exam, $125.00, is covered by 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