AHE 126 - Phlebotomy

6.0 Continuing Education Units (CEU). This course is not for Credit(s).

This course is designed to provide health care personnel with the knowledge and entry level skills needed to perform venipunctures, specimen collection of other body fluids, and preparation of specimens for testing. Anatomy and physiology of the various systems for specimen collection, processing and collecting, and processing and handling of specimens, and laboratory operations are presented. Actual practice in lab skills and drawing specimens and laboratory operations occurs during class. Topics to be covered include universal precautions history of phlebotomy, laboratory testing, laboratory safety, laboratory procedures, blood drawing, professionalism in the healthcare field, anatomy and phycology, specimen processing, preparing blood samples, and specimen processing.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

1. describe the history and origin of phlebotomy;
2. identify the health care delivery system and the types of provider specialty;
3. define and explain the phlebotomists’ role as part of the health care team;
4. demonstrate and practice proper palpating technique;
5. identify veins usually used in phlebotomy;
6. identify tube colors associated with additives;
7. demonstrate the ability to adhere to regulations to operational standards (e.g. JACHO/The Commission
and NCLSI);
8. describe quality control procedures;
9. identify CLIA waved procedures;
10. describe the process of specimen handling in the laboratory from delivery to providing results;
11. describe the various types of special handling of specimens being transported to the laboratory;
12. describe and demonstrate exposure control plan;
13. demonstrate accepted practices in infections control, isolation, and infection (e.g. hand
washing/gowning);
14. list proper techniques to ensure patient safety in a variety of settings; and
15. list and demonstrate the steps to perform venipuncture in order of draw.