Phlebotomist/Specimen Processor

• Overview
• Admission
• Curriculum
• Transfer
• Outcomes
• Careers

Overview

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.

Training & Locations

Phlebotomy Training classes are now offered on a rotational basis between the Truax, Portage, Fort Atkinson, Reedsburg and Watertown campuses.

Training Consists of two courses:

• Basic Lab Skills (10-513-110)
• Phlebotomy (10-513-111)

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.

This training includes a clinical rotation that takes place during daytime hours only due to limited availability of instructional personnel during evening and nighttime hours. You must have transportation to travel outside the immediate Madison area for clinical rotation sites if required.

After registration, you will be required to complete a background check and provide documentation of current required-immunizations, accident insurance and current Healthcare Provider CPR certification (please see details below). Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to students in many School of Health Education programs. Please review the Caregiver Background Check information on the School of Health Education Forms and Policies.

Admission

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 17+
• NexGen Writing 260+
• ACCUPLACER Write 5+ and ACCUPLACER Sentence 86+

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)

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+
• ACCUPLACER Reading 80+

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.

Curriculum

Curriculum

Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2021-2022 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

Current program students (including newly admitted), go directly to your Degree Progress Report (also referred to as an Advising Report or Academic Requirements) to view:

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

If you have questions after reviewing your report, please see Advising Services.

COURSES

Basic Lab Skills

10-513-110

1 credits

Phlebotomy

10-513-111

2 credits

Transfer

Transfer Partnerships

There are currently no Transfer Partnerships for this program. Review our Transfer Opportunities page for information on all Madison College transfer options.

Outcomes

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.

Careers

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