Phlebotomy Program

The School of Nursing and Human Services at Southwestern Michigan College provides you with the knowledge and skills required to provide individualized quality health care in your specialty area. The Phlebotomy Specialty Certificate Program is a short-length specialty certificate. All health programs in the school meet the guidelines for national or state licensing or certification.

General Information

The phlebotomy course prepares individuals to perform skin and venous puncture to obtain blood samples for medical testing. Phlebotomists are employed in various settings including but not limited to hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and home health care agencies. Employment opportunities are available nationwide. Pay varies per geographic area and type of agency.

Upon successful completion of the requirements of both theory and clinical components, the student is eligible to apply for phlebotomy certification from three nationally recognized certifying bodies.

Course content includes:

• Healthcare delivery systems
• Common laboratory tests
• Specimen transportation and result reporting
• Professionalism
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Infection control and OSHA guidelines
• Type of specimens
• Collection procedures

Program Requirements

The Southwestern Michigan College phlebotomy program has the following admission requirements:

• Credentials - All applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and TABE test results or show 12 college credits with a “C” grade.
• Previous Experience - A background in health care is helpful but not mandatory. Previous course work in medical terminology or anatomy and physiology is also helpful but not mandatory.
• SMC Application for Admissions - Individuals who have not attended Southwestern Michigan College in the past 12 months must complete a college application.
• Phlebotomy Application for Admissions -Interested individuals must also submit a phlebotomy application to the School of Nursing and Human Services.
• References - Three (3) appropriate references preferably at least one from an employer or instructor within the last year, complete the reference forms listed below. These reference forms should be forwarded to the School of Nursing and Human Services. Family members should not complete a reference form.
• Immunizations - Students must be in good health and provide proof of current immunizations or immunity to the following prior to the first day of clinical experience:
  • Tetanus (within the last 10 years)
  • Tuberculosis (PPD pr x-ray within the last 12 months)
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (first injection must be given prior to clinical)
  • Rubeola (if born after 1957)

  Proof does not have to be completed until the student is accepted. However, any student not completing the above immunizations as required will be removed from class. Individuals who are currently immunized through employment may present evidence from their employer. Documentation must be on official letterhead or carrying the agency logo.

• Interview - Make an appointment in the School of Nursing and Human Services office (269) 783-2133 for an admission interview with the Dean of the School of Nursing and Human Services and phlebotomy instructor. Appointments are usually held twice a year after the application date. The phlebotomy program has two application deadline dates each academic year which are listed on this page.

  Interviews will be held one month prior to the beginning of the program. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the School of Nursing and Human Services to make arrangements for this interview. Applicants who do not complete the interview will not be considered. Interviews will not be scheduled until the required paperwork has been received.

• Register for Classes

Personal Requirements

Students in the phlebotomy school will meet the personal (non-academic) qualifications indicated below. There are minimum performance qualifications for all students who become enrolled in the school. It is recognized that optimum performance may require additional qualifications. These qualifications are based on the requirements for phlebotomists working in healthcare institutions.

• Appearance – Students must project an image of neatness and professionalism at all times and must be willing to adhere to established codes of moderation for dress appearance.
• Communication Skills – Students must be able to communicate effectively in written and spoken English and must be able to comprehend and respond to both formal and conversational English both directly and by telephone.
• Locomotion – Students must be able to move readily from one location to another in such physical settings as the clinical laboratory, patient rooms, emergency center, elevators, and stairways.
• Physical Requirements – Students must have the ordinary ability to lift and move objects. In addition, students must have fine muscle coordination to allow delicate manipulations of specimens and instruments. Also students must have an unimpaired sense of touch and temperature discrimination.
• Visual Requirements – Students must have the ability to distinguish major colors. Visual acuity must be sufficiently corrected to allow rapid reading of laboratory procedures, test requests, instrument dials, and pipette menisci. In addition, students must be able to tolerate conditions of moderate visual strain, e.g., prolonged reading.
• General Personality Features – Students must have the emotional stability and ability to maintain composure in response to emotional provocations and must be able to relate to a wide variety of persons representing a broad physical and socioeconomic spectrum.
• Dress – Casual dress for class is appropriate. Lab coats are not required for the classroom.

Admissions

Application to the phlebotomy program is a separate process in addition to being admitted to Southwestern Michigan College.

After completion of the phlebotomy Program Requirements, students are eligible for admission into the program. Student should follow the Admission Process and submit the necessary Admission Forms as outlined on this page..

It is the student’s responsibility to verify with the nursing counselor the completeness of their file.

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