You say, “You’ll just feel a little pinch,” and they say, “Wow – you’re good! I hardly felt it.” No matter how many vials you take.
Phlebotomist
62
Recent Graduates
There are 62 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
92%
Job Placement
92% job placement within six months of graduation.
$44k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $43,524.
Phlebotomist/Specimen Processor
Program Number: 305132
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Health Sciences
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
3 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 semester
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.
Estimated Program Cost
$366.24
  • Program Overview

    The phlebotomy technician or specimen processor is a vital role in nearly every type of health care facility. Phlebotomists are trained to draw blood from a patient for clinical or medical testing, transfusions, donations or research.

    If you are people-oriented, have strong attention to detail and have good manual dexterity, Madison Area Technical College's phlebotomy training may be right for you.

    Program Details

    Students in the Phlebotomy Technician program attend part time.

    Phlebotomy Technician classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison - Truax
    • Madison - South
    • Fort Atkinson
    • Portage
    • Reedsburg
    • Watertown

    This program consists of two courses. Both courses must be taken in the same semester.

    Expect to spend at least six hours per week beyond scheduled class time to study course material and complete assignments.

    Students are eligible for ASCP Certification Route 3 after 1 year of full time experience as a Phlebotomy Technician. 

    Careers

    Earning your Specimen Processing/Phlebotomist technical diploma at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as a:

    • Specimen Processing: processing patient specimens, performing waived laboratory tests on blood, urine, and body fluids to help in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury in a hospital or clinic laboratory.
    • Phlebotomist: Performing routine venipuncture and capillary on patients.

    With additional training and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:

    • Medical Laboratory Technician

    Resources

    Phlebotomist/Specimen Processor Manual (pdf)

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    COURSES
    10-513-110
    1 credit
    10-513-111
    2 credits
  • Admission

    To Enroll

    If the following registration requirements are met, you may register for both classes. No admission application is required.

    ALGEBRA

    Students must demonstrate algebra competency in one of the following ways:

    1. Test Scores: Minimum test score within the last two years at time of registration

    • ACT Math 20+
    • NexGen Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics 237+
    • ACCUPLACER (Elementary Algebra) 65+

    2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • Elementary Algebra with Apps (10834110)
    • College Math (10804107)
    • Mathematical Reasoning (10804134)
    • Applied Math for Chemistry (77854756)

    ENGLISH AND READING

    Students must demonstrate English and Reading competency in one of the following ways:

    English competency – Students may demonstrate English competency in one of the following ways:

    1. Test Scores: Minimum test score within the last two years at time of registration

    • ACT English 15+
    • NexGen Writing 245+

    2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • Written Communication (10801195) or higher
    • English 1 (20801201) or higher
    • Intro to College Writing (10831103)
    • Communication for Sector courses 

    Reading competency - Students may demonstrate Reading competency in one of the following ways:

    1. Test Scores: Minimum test score within the last two years at time of registration

    • ACT Reading 19+
    • NexGen Reading 261+

    2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • Written Communication (10801195) or higher
    • English 1 (20801201) or higher
    • College Reading Strategies (10808101) or Intro Reading & Study Skills (10838105)

    All courses for this program are offered only in person.

  • Career Outcomes

    Basic Lab Skills (10-513-110) is the first course in the two-course sequence of the Phlebotomy Training. Students must successfully complete Basic Lab Skills before beginning the second course in the program, Phlebotomy (10-513-111). Throughout the Phlebotomy Training, students acquire various skills that prepare them for entry-level phlebotomy positions. 

    A student who successfully completes the Basic Lab Skills course will be able to:

    1. Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance.
    2. Select appropriate personal protective equipment for the task.
    3. Properly contain and dispose of biohazardous waste.
    4. Demonstrate proper hand washing technique.
    5. Identify pre-analytical variables that affect results and take appropriate corrective action.
    6. Perform basic mathematical functions and conversions.
    7. Perform and monitor quality control for waived testing.
    8. Perform and report waived tests.
    9. Communicate with colleagues and patients in a professional manner.
    10. Model professional behavior, ethics and appearance.
    11. Work effectively as a team member recognizing the comprehensive impact this has on health care.


    A student who successfully completes the Phlebotomy course will be able to:

    1. Ensure patient safety through accurate patient identification and specimen labeling.
    2. Perform venipuncture using appropriately chosen equipment for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients.
    3. Perform capillary punctures.
    4. Discuss concerns for collecting arterial punctures to ensure patient safety.
    5. Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance.
    6. Select appropriate personal protective equipment for the task.
    7. Properly contain and dispose of biohazardous waste.
    8. Demonstrate proper hand washing technique
    9. Identify pre-analytical variables that affect results and take appropriate corrective action.
    10. Record specimen collection times in military hours.
    11. Perform and monitor quality control for waived testing.
    12. Perform and report waived tests.
    13. Communicate with colleagues and patients in a professional manner.
    14. Model professional behavior, ethics and appearance.
    15. Maintain patient confidentiality and follow HIPAA protocols.
    16. Work effectively as a team member recognizing the comprehensive impact this has on health care.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202220232024
      Number of Program Graduates866462
      Number of Surveys Sent846462
      Number of Surveys Returned645145
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment201219
      Percent Available for Employment31.3%23.5%42.2%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market67.2%76.5%57.8%
      Available for Employment

      202220232024
      Graduates Employed191118
      Percent of Graduates Employed95.0%91.7%94.7%
      Employed in Related Occupation14811
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation73.7%72.7%61.1%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation537
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation26.3%27.3%38.9%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment111
      Percent Seeking Employment5.0%8.3%5.3%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202220232024
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.53.43.7
      Number of Satisfaction Responses473033
      Very Satisfied (4)241327
      Percent Very Satisfied51.1%43.3%81.8%
      Satisfied (3)21164
      Percent Satisfied44.7%53.3%12.1%
      Unsatisfied (2)211
      Percent Unsatisfied4.3%3.3%3.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%3.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202220232024
      Number of Primary Reason Responses635145
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%0.0%2.2%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202220232024
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses191118
      Before Enrollment124
      Percent Before Enrollment5.3%18.2%22.2%
      While Attending the College241
      Percent While Attending the College10.5%36.4%5.6%
      After Training at the College16513
      Percent After Training at the College84.2%45.5%72.2%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202220232024
      Number of Employment Location Responses201118
      In College District15915
      Percent In College District75.0%81.8%83.3%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District302
      Percent of In Wisconsin15.0%0.0%11.1%
      Outside of Wisconsin100
      Percent Outside Wisconsin5.0%0.0%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown121
      Percent Location Unknown5.0%18.2%5.6%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202220232024
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count1274
      Average Monthly Wage$3,451$3,323$3,627
      Average Hourly Wage$20.07$19.32$21.09
      Average Work Hours per Week42.139.140.0
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count017
      Average Hourly Wage$18.00$18.94
      Average Work Hours per Week20.025.024.4
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Associated PhysiciansPhlebotomist
      Aurora Health CarePhlebotomistSummit
      CleanSlateMedical Assistant
      Divine Savior HealthcareLaboratory Assistant/PhlebotomistPortage
      Middleton Machining and WeldingFabricatorMiddleton
      SSM HealthPhlebotomist2
      Unity Point Health-MeriterPhlebotomistMonona
      US ArmyCombat Medic
      UW Health Hospital & ClinicsPhlebotomist2

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Contact the School of Health Sciences

Madison Truax Campus
Health Building, 300

1705 Hoffman Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

healthsciences@madisoncollege.edu
608.616.1250

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 12 pm (Help by phone or email)