Phlebotomy

A phlebotomist plays a vital role in health care by collecting blood specimens from patients for laboratory tests used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Phlebotomists perform venipunctures, finger sticks or heel sticks to obtain specimens.

In addition, phlebotomists also work with laboratory personnel to manage, process and transport specimens collected from patients. In some settings, phlebotomists may perform bedside testing. Phlebotomists work in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are challenged each day with situations requiring specialized knowledge and skill. Hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, nursing homes, research settings and reference labs all employ phlebotomists.

Wake Tech offers a 12-week program to train you to become a phlebotomist. Daytime and evening classes are offered throughout the year. Daytime classes typically meet twice a week in person, while evening classes meet virtually twice weekly, via Microsoft Teams, and one time a week in person. There is no online-only portion for the lecture/lab.

During the first eight weeks of the course, students receive intense, individualized phlebotomy training in theory and skills. During the last four weeks, students practice phlebotomy in hospital and clinic settings, supervised by highly skilled professionals:

• Cape Fear Valley (Harnett Health)
• Duke Hospital inpatient and outpatient (North) labs
• Duke Raleigh Hospital
• Duke Regional Hospital
• Labcorp
• UNC Hospital - Chapel Hill
• UNC Rex inpatient and outpatient labs
• UNC Rex Holly Springs
• Wake County Health Department
• WakeMed inpatient and outpatient labs
• WakeMed Cary
• WakeMed North

Clinicals are during the day, but days and times may vary depending on the site. Travel time to a clinical site may be up to an hour.

Course work includes proper specimen collection and handling, communication skills and maintaining patient data. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the Phlebotomy examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology's Board of Certification.

Graduates may qualify for employment in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices and other health care settings.

Wake Tech's Phlebotomy program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (Phone: 773-714-8880).

Criteria for admission

In addition to Wake Tech's general admission requirements, applicants must take the following steps:

1. Read the Phlebotomy Student Policy Manual prior to registering.
2. Order Castlebranch package WL26 and upload required documentation.
3. Submit unofficial transcript(s) from high school, high school equivalency programs and/or previous college(s) to Castlebranch.
4. Complete mandatory preregistration activities defined at the orientation session.
5. Be physically and mentally healthy as validated by a written medical examination record. Submit all required immunization records, including current documentation of TB testing performed, hepatitis B vaccine begun or waived and current flu shot in Castlebranch.
6. Complete BLS CPR through the American Heart Association training and submit in Castlebranch.
7. Provide an official criminal background check to meet the requirements of clinical sites in Castlebranch. The college will direct this process by identifying the agency performing the check and maintaining control of the information through the dean's office.
8. Provide a urine drug screen. The results must meet the requirements of clinical sites. The college will direct this process by identifying the agency performing the drug screen and maintaining control of the information through the dean's office. Information can be found through Castlebranch.
9. Submit personal health insurance information in Castlebranch.
10. Read and accept the nonacademic Phlebotomy Essential Functions statement to assess abilities to complete this program and demonstrate competence in the profession.

Wake Technical Community College is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.

Costs and financial assistance

Courses are listed below. Simply register and pay when a class is available. Students who have not taken a class at Wake Tech before should fill out the registration form, and they can pay at a Wake Tech campus or mail in with check or money order.

Course fees are due at the time of registration:

• Tuition – $180
• Campus Access Fee – $18
• Professional liability insurance – $6
• Supply Fee – $99
• Rotation Manager – $37

In addition to the $340 cost for a course, Phlebotomy students will pay $116 for Castlebranch services and $135 for the course book (price may vary), as well as the cost of a computer and transportation to and parking at clinical site(s).

Don't have enough money to pay for a course? Right now, Wake Tech's Propel program offers scholarships that cover the cost of registration and fees.

If you are a veteran, it is possible your benefits also may cover the cost of the program. Check with a veterans' benefits specialist for more information.

Professional licensure

Wake Tech academic programs (credit and non-credit) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.