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Phlebotomy Technician

Overview

Phlebotomists are trained to draw blood samples and maintain careful records of blood tests, and work under the supervision of a nurse, medical technologist, or experienced phlebotomy technician.  Delgado’s program prepares students to take the national credentialing exam and is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) 5600 N. River Rd., Suite720, Rosemont, IL, (773) 714-8880.

students setting up an IV on a practice dummyCurriculum

Delgado offers a one-semester (12 credit hour) curriculum within the Medical Laboratory Technician Department.  The curriculum is comprised of 2 lecture courses and one phlebotomy practicum. 

Lecture Courses

MLTS 104 - Introduction to Phlebotomy (4 credit hours) - Relates responsibilities of phlebotomist to health care delivery system Includes procedures, professional and ethical conduct, verbal and written skills, stress management.

MLTS 105 - Structure and Function of Body Systems (2 credit hours) - Anatomy and physiology of body system and anatomic terminology related to clinical laboratory and general pathologic conditions associated with body systems.

 MLTS 104 and 105 are taught during the first half of the semester.

Clinical Practicum           

MLTS 151 - Phlebotomy Clinical Practicum (6 credit hours) - Hands-on practice relating to procedures. Exposure to variety of patient-care settings, including in- and out- patient settings.

MLTS 151 is taken during the second half of the semester.  The student attends a three(3) week phlebotomy clinical practicum. During the practicum students are expected to work 8 hours a day.  There is no weekend or holiday practicum.  Practicum rotations are held at the program’s clinical affiliate hospitals. 

Admissions Criteria

The phlebotomy courses begin twice each year, in August and January. Delgado students who meet the college's general requirements and the following admissions criteria may enroll in the phlebotomy curriculum:

  • Placement test at or above ENGL 101;
  • Placement test at or above MATH 099;
  • Completion of any required remedial reading

For more information about the admissions process, visit the program admissions page.

Program Completion

Completers of the phlebotomy program will be eligible to take a national certification exam and become licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Successful completion of the program is NOT contingent on the student's passing any certification exam or licensure criteria.

Program Outcomes

  • Program board of certification exam pass rate
    • 2020/2021 - 100%
    • 2021/2022 - 75%
    • 2022/2023 - 67%
    • 2023 (fall only) - 100%

  • Program placement rate 
    • 2020/2021 - 83%
    • 2021/2022 - 86%
    • 2022/2023 - 100%

  • Program completion rate
    • 2020/2021 - 81%
    • 2021/2022 - 95%
    • 2022/2023 - 82%
    • 2023 (fall only) - 100%

Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the Delgado Phlebotomy Program is to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become competent Phlebotomists.

Delgado's phlebotomy program will meet this by achieving the following goals:

  1. To provide students with knowledge, skills and attitudes to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively.
  2. To enable graduates to obtain employment in phlebotomy.
  3. To prepare students to meet certification and licensing standards, and to sit for the national certification examination.
  4. To be an approved program by the National Accrediting Agency Clinical Laboratory Science.

Career Entry Competencies Expected of Graduates

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system and medical terminology.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of infection control and safety.
  3. Demonstrate basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of body and anatomic terminology in order to relate major areas of the clinical laboratory to general pathologic conditions associated with body systems.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of specimen collection and specimen integrity in the delivery of patient care.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of collection equipment, types of additives used, special precautions necessary and substances that can interfere in clinical analysis of blood constituents.
  6. Follow standard operating procedures to collect specimens.
  7. Demonstrate understanding of requisitioning specimen transport and specimen processing.
  8. Demonstrate understanding of quality assurance and quality control in phlebotomy.
  9. Communicate (verbally and nonverbally) effectively and appropriately in the workplace.

Clinical Affiliates

Delgado's phlebotomy program affiliated with the following institutions:

  • East Jefferson General Hospital - Metairie
  • Ochsner Clinic Foundation — Various locations
  • St. Tammany Parish Medical Center — Covington
  • St. Bernard Parish Hospital -  Chalmette
  • University Medical Center — New Orleans
  • West Jefferson Medical Center — New Orleans

Phlebotomy Program Faculty

Program Director/Associate Professor - Shannon A. Skena, MHS, MLS (ASCP)CM

Program Instructor - Andrea Fontenot, MLS (ASCP)CM

Clinical Coordinator/ Instructor - Catherine Reitmeyer, MLS S (ASCP)CM