Phlebotomy Program

Begin a rewarding career in healthcare as a Phlebotomy Technician! The SIH Phlebotomy Program allows you to begin working in as a few as nine weeks!

The Phlebotomy Program includes:

• Classroom Study (textbook, videos, etc.), live demonstrations, as well as hands-on training directly from SIH laboratory professionals, trainers and staff.
• Clinical rotation at an SIH clinic or hospital under the mentorship of a laboratory professional to receive direct clinical training.
• A practice exam designed to prepare you for the ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) Phlebotomy Technician Certification Exam. *
• No additional fees. Tuition includes your textbooks, training expenses, clinical rotation and the practice exam.

What is the role of a Phlebotomy Technician?

• Follow proper procedures for identification, processing, storage, and transport of specimens used for different kinds of medical laboratory analysis.
• Some phlebotomists draw blood for other purposes, such as transfusions, research, or blood donations.
• Phlebotomists work closely with patients. Patient interaction is sometimes limited to the phlebotomist in medical and diagnostic laboratories.
• 100 successful, unaided blood collections are required to sit for the ASCP Phlebotomy Technician exam.

What are the requirements to become a Phlebotomy Technician?

Once the program is complete, and a position is accepted, new hires will be required to obtain or provide documentation for the following, per SIH Human Resources policies. Failure to complete or submit these items will result in ineligibility for hire until completed:

• Background check
• COVID-19 vaccination
• Influenza vaccination
• Medical clearance
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of liability insurance
• Urine drug screening

Additionally, program graduates should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the healthcare system and medical terminology as it relates to the laboratory setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of infection control and safety.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of body systems.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of age-specific or psycho-social considerations involved in the performance of phlebotomy procedures on various age groups.
• Describe the legal and ethical implications of patient testing.
• Demonstrate understanding of the importance of specimen collection and specimen integrity in the delivery of patient care.
• Demonstrate knowledge of collection equipment and methods, various types of additives used in collection tubes, and special precautions necessary and substances that can interfere in clinical analysis of blood constituents.
• Follow standard operating procedures to collect specimens utilizing venipuncture or capillary methods.
• Demonstrate understanding of requisitioning, specimen transport, and specimen processing.
• Communicate (verbally and nonverbally) effectively and appropriately in the workplace.
• Define quality assurance as it relates to the practice of phlebotomy.
• Take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Phlebotomy Technician Certification examination. (separate fee to take examination)

Note: Proof of High School graduation through graded transcripts, sent directly to ASCP, required.

Note: The presence of any controlled substance considered prohibitive after medical review of urine drug screen will prevent you from participating in the program. If any criminal background report is delayed and includes prohibitive offenses, you may not be able to complete the program.

Minimum enrollment requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or GED documentation
• Copy of unofficial graded transcript from high school or college

Program graduates will be qualified to work as a professional phlebotomist at SIH or another healthcare facility, such as a physician or public health office, laboratory, nursing home or clinic. This role is ideal for a recent high school/GED graduate looking to begin a career in healthcare while continuing their education. This role can also be a good fit for those interested in transitioning from other career paths, particularly those with retail and/or customer service experience.

Program Costs:

The nine-week program designed to prepare you for the ASCP Phlebotomy Technician Certification Exam is $650.

Where is the Program located?

Trainees will complete their classroom work at John A. Logan College in Carterville, IL.

Clinical training will be completed at an SIH clinic or hospital facility.

In addition to classroom work, and clinical training, two to three hours of independent study/ homework can be expected throughout the program duration.

What else do I need to know about the length of the Program?

The SIH Phlebotomy Program offers two sessions each year. Each session last for nine-weeks.

• The classroom portion of the program is held on Saturdays from 8:00am to 4:30pm and lasts for six weeks.
• The clinical rotation portion of the program is held Monday – Friday, and exact hours are based on clinical location schedule, and can vary. The duration of this portion is three weeks.

Students will be required to complete at least 40 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of clinical training at an SIH facility location in order to fulfill ASCP Certification* examination requirements.

A session may have up to 100 or more hours of lecture time, including review sessions and a minimum of 100 hours of clinical experience. Most students surpass the minimum of 100 successful, unaided blood collection requirements and are well prepared to obtain a phlebotomy position after completion.

What if I have a question about the program?

If you have a question about the program not covered here, email us at phlebotomy.program@sih.net.