Phlebotomy Program Philosophy and Goals

The Phlebotomy Certificate Program offered by the College of Lake County prepares students for employment as entry-level professional phlebotomists in health care settings, and for taking their places as responsible, productive members of their communities. The program is open to all who:

• Are academically and technically capable of profiting from the curriculum.
• Demonstrate the cognitive and technical abilities deemed necessary for the profession by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and the Clinical Laboratory Science Institute (CLSI).
• Demonstrate the professional and ethical behavior deemed necessary for the profession.
• Meet the expectations of area employers.

The program's direction and methods are guided by community needs and CLC's, mission, goals and resources. Consistent with this philosophy, the following program/student goals have been established for the Phlebotomy Certificate Program.

PBT Program Goals and Objectives:

• Provide the community with entry level phlebotomists by:
• Maintaining State, Federal and professional accreditation status by meeting or exceeding specified requirements.
• Providing a well-rounded curriculum by continually recognizing the current needs of the community in the design of the curriculum.
• Offering educational activities by using all possible educational resources and expertise.
• Keeping instruction in phlebotomy up-to-date by continually
  • participating in continuing education
  • scanning and incorporating the latest educational and technological innovations.
    
• Assist students in developing professional attitudes and ethics (which are expected of phlebotomists) by helping students to
  • Develop positive attitudes, assurance and confidence in performing laboratory tasks
  • Recognize their role in the health care system and function as effective team members.
  • Enhance their interpersonal skills to:
    • act responsibly and professionally by respecting others.
    • develop rapport and cooperation by communicating and interacting with others.
    • recognize and accept responsibility as productive members of our society by adhering to their professional code of ethics.
      
• Prepare students for professional mobility consistent with recognized standards of medical and professional ethics by:
  • Assisting students to develop strategies to:
    • enhance their critical thinking abilities
    • take charge of their own learning
    • recognize the merits of continuing professional development.
  • Promoting satisfactory completion of transferable general education and science courses.
  • Promoting successful participation in national professional certification processes and examinations.
  • Exploring and developing articulation with other institutions.

Successful completion of the program requires developing the following competencies:

• Communication skills sufficient to effectively and productively interact independently with peers, instructors, supervisors, patients, other members of the health care system, and the community.
  
• Knowledge of basic science concepts applicable to medical laboratory procedures sufficient to:
  • Collect and process laboratory specimens efficiently and appropriately.
  • Recognize the importance of specimen collection in the overall patient care system.
  • List and explain the effects of various factors affecting test results and identify ways to minimize or avoid them.
  • Relate the anatomy and physiology of body systems and anatomic terminology to the major areas of the clinical laboratory, and to general pathologic conditions associated with body systems.
  • Identify and select appropriate equipment used in blood and specimen collection.
  • Explain the significance of quality control and practice basic quality control methods in routine laboratory procedures.
    
• Critical thinking and psychomotor skills sufficient to perform phlebotomy techniques and procedures such as specimen collecting, processing, handling and transporting procedures efficiently and accurately with minimum supervision in order to:
  • Organize and prioritize work accordingly.
  • Utilize the scientific method and own academic background in making judgments at the appropriate level of competence.
  • Apply basic principles in learning new techniques and procedures.
  • Develop critical judgment in evaluation of own work.
    
• Knowledge of basic phlebotomy equipment and computer applications sufficient to:
  • Utilize the keyboard to interact with computerized instruments and LIS
  • Follow instructions associated with basic laboratory information system.
  • Demonstrate proper care and use of phlebotomy equipment.
  • Recognize, identify and respond to instrument malfunctions or specimen acceptability.
  • Operate and maintain commonly used phlebotomy equipment and their associated test methods.
  • Keep equipment and working area clean and in good order.
  • Ask instructor for assistance when repairs and/or maintenance are needed
• Awareness of potential laboratory hazards / safety concerns sufficient to:
  • Maintain a clean, safe and organized work area.
  • Adhere to all safety guidelines in the collection, processing, testing, and disposal of all biohazardous materials.
  • Practice Standard Precaution
• Professional attitude and demeanor sufficient to:
  • Maintain acceptable attitude toward instruction and the instructors
  • Demonstrate readiness for class activities by following directions and completing tasks assigned within allotted time frames.
  • Develop confidence in abilities to perform commensurate with experience.
  • Demonstrate integrity by recognizing and repeating questionable tests.
  • Identify the roles and functions of various laboratory personnel in health care system
  • Show respect for others.
  • Comply with institutional rules and regulations.
  • Practice punctuality and regular attendance.
  • Develop responsibility and accountability for work and action.
  • Adhere to recognized standards of medical and professional ethics
  • Present a personal appearance, which is appropriate for a professional who has patient contact.
  • Display a patient-oriented attitude.