Program Duration
Program Duration Estimated 10 weeks with externship
Phlebotomy Program Hours Total 200 Hrs
Classes meet Monday-Friday
Program Goals
The goal of Institute of Medical Education is to serve the community by
producing high quality Phlebotomists. Upon completion, students will receive a
certificate of completion and become eligible for certification in the state of
California as a Certified Phlebotomist Technician Level 1 through DHS, Field
Services.
Objectives of the Program
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Perform both venipunctures and capillary draws using proper techniques
- Follow standards of lab safety and infection control
- Demonstrate knowledge of specimen collection, processing and handling
- Perform duties with professionalism and confidence
Admissions Requirements
- High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent
(Diplomas from foreign countries must be evaluated before enrolling)
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Healthcare CPR Certification
- Pass IME’s entrance exam
- Current Immunization record
Course Description
The phlebotomy program is designed for people who plan to work for a clinical laboratory, public health department,
medical clinic or hospital. The program includes class instruction, laboratory training and practical (externship)
training. In class, students will learn medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, infection and infection
control, lab safety, first aid, specimen processing, quality control, laboratory tests, professionalism,
law and ethics. The laboratory training includes familiarization of blood collection equipment, hands on
phlebotomy training. Students practice under observation and guidance of the training instructor.
After theory and laboratory training, each student is required do an externship. Each student is sent to a
clinical laboratory for a minimum of 50 venipunctures and 10 capillary draws.
State Certification
The state of California requires all phlebotomist take a state exam. The phlebotomy program at IME prepares
the students for this certificate exam. Upon completion of the program students will receive a certificate
of completion and become eligible for certification in the State of California as a Certified Phlebotomist
Technician level 1 through DHS, Field Services.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: For those who work in a
clinical laboratory “Job opportunities are expected to be excel¬lent.”
“Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow by 14 percent
between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all occupations.” According
to Salary.com the annual median salary for a phlebotomist is $33,463 in Oakland
and $35,317 in San Jose.
(see:
www.bls.gov/oco/pdf/ocos096.pdf,
swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Phlebotomist-Salary-Details-Oakland-CA.aspx )