Academics

Phlebotomist Certificate

Phlebotomists are employed in hospital laboratories, physician clinics, and other health care institutions to perform the collection of blood specimens by venipuncture and micropuncture techniques. Theory and practice in phlebotomy skills are studied in addition to ethical and legal responsibilities, effective communication skills, and safe practices.

Successful completion of the program will allow the graduate to seek employment as a phlebotomist and be eligible to take an appropriate phlebotomy certification examination.

Local Salaries

Locally, phlebotomists earn approximately $8.50-$13.00 per hour.

Laboratory Locations

The program consists of lecture, student laboratories and a clinical phlebotomy practicum arranged in a surrounding health care facility.

Academic studies are taken on the Illinois Central College campus Clinical experiences are provided in medical laboratories under supervision at Methodist Medical Center, Proctor Hospital, Peoria; BroMenn Medical Center, Normal; Graham Hospital, Canton; Great River Medical Center, Burlington, IA; Graham Hospital Association Graham Medical Group, Canton; Saint Mary’s Medical Center and Cottage Hospital, Galesburg; Pekin Hospital; Saint Margaret’s Hospital, Spring Valley; Saint James Hospital, Pontiac; Kewanee Hospital, OSF Holy Family Medical Center, Monmouth; Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln; Hopedale Medical Complex, Hopedale; and Veteran’s Administration Clinic, Peoria. Students in surrounding community colleges are encouraged to enroll in the program.

Professional Organizations

• American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Admission to the Program

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Accuplacer score of 44 or higher OR completion of appropriate English prerequisite with a “C” or higher.
• One year high school Biology with a grade of “C” or higher OR completion of equivalent college Biology course with a “C” or higher.

Requirements upon Program Acceptance

• Drug screen, fingerprint criminal background check, physical exam, and immunizations.
• Documentation of current CPR certification (might be required) from the American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider (HLTH 041 at ICC or equivalent) or American Red Cross (ARC) Professional Rescuer and Health Care Provider. CPR certification, if required, must remain current throughout the program.

Degree

Certificate (Certificate Program)
Total Credit Hours: 8

Program Requirements

Select a course number below to see a course description.

Required Program Courses

Course	Name	Credit Hours
BIOL 106 or	HUMAN BIOLOGY  or	4
BIOL 140	HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY	4
MLT 112	PHLEBOTOMY CLINICAL PRACTICUM	2
MLT 110	INTRODUCTION TO THE MEDICAL LABORATORY AND PHLEBOTOMY	2

Recommended Course Sequence

Semester	Courses
Fall Semester 1	BIOL 106 or BIOL 140; MLT 110; MLT 112

Program Contact Information

Health Careers Department
Peoria Campus, Cedar 105
(309) 690-7530

Illinois Career Cluster

Health Science

Career Pathway:
Diagnostics Services

Career Pathway

Pathway programs at ICC have a map that shows the courses/degree requirements that will lead students to their desired education and employment goals.

Essential Skills and Abilities

The following listed essential skills and abilities are necessary for a phlebotomist student to meet the requirements of the curriculum. Potential students are invited to meet with the Program Director and/or the Dean to discuss any issues associated with meeting or not meeting these requirements.

A. Observation

• Ability to discriminate color differences/variations. Reading color chemical reactions, identifying organisms, and differentiating blood cells depend on the student’s ability to see color, changes in color, shape, and texture differences

B. Communication

• Ability to read and comprehend clinical textbooks, procedures, numbers, and graphs displayed in prints or on a video monitor
• Ability to communicate, not only in speech but also in reading and writing, with faculty, classmates, patients, physicians, and other health care professionals in a positive, tactful manner

C. Motor

• Ability to manipulate glass slides, tourniquets, needles, small tubes, and collection devices (Phlebotomy students must have the dexterity to handle and manipulate safely and properly small phlebotomy devices to be able to complete required objectives.)
• Ability to stand, walk, and bend repeatedly throughout an eight (8) hour period (Phlebotomy students will be required to travel quickly throughout the institution collecting specimens at the bedside, chairside, and at times difficult to reach situations.)

D. Intellectual-Conceptual Abilities

• Ability to analyze procedural tasks. Problem solving skills and critical thinking are essential to function in a clinical laboratory
• Ability to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions in a timely manner

E. Behavioral and Social Attributes

• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and to exercise ethical judgment, integrity, honesty, dependability, and accountability in the performance of their laboratory responsibilities
• Ability to adapt to changing environment and technology
• Ability to maintain composure and continue phlebotomy procedures when subjected to high stress levels (Phlebotomy students will be subjected to difficult, high stress situations in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care areas, Pediatrics, etc…, and must be able to complete the procedures safely and appropriately.)

F. Others

• Verification of satisfactory health through completion of the physical examination