The Phlebotomy certificate is designed to prepare students for entry-level work in various healthcare settings. Medical Assistant - Phlebotomists are credentialed under RCW 18.360 perform capillary, venous, and arterial invasive procedures for blood withdrawal and other functions under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
MA – P credential holders may also perform CLIA-waived tests, moderate and high complexity tests with training, and electrocardiograms.
Out-of-State Licensure
Peninsula College has not made a determination that the curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification outside of Washington State. We encourage students who plan to work out of state to check relevant local licensure/certification requirements.
Program Goals
- The program prepares students for phlebotomy jobs and a national phlebotomy credentialing exam.
- The program teaches basic skills required for capillary, venous, and arterial blood withdrawal procedures.
- The courses are based on recommendations from local employers and industry trends.
- The Phlebotomy certificate is significantly more cost effective than most private and public schools.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Function professionally in a legal and ethical manner as a Medical Assistant - Phlebotomist
- Use medical terminology correctly
- Effectively communicate with other healthcare team members, patients, and physicians
- Demonstrate proficiency with basic medical testing procedures
- Perform electrocardiograms accurately
- Follow laws and regulations regarding patient privacy and confidentiality
- Successfully perform capillary, venous, and arterial invasive procedures per protocols
Application Steps for the Phlebotomy Program
- Apply to Peninsula College and declare Phlebotomy as your program of study.
- Have all your official transcripts forwarded to Peninsula College for review (Note: this process can take up to 10 weeks).
- Schedule an assessment placement test. Complete pre-requisite courses.
- Meet with the Program Director to form an Academic Plan.
- Course registration is completed through the Peninsula College website. Students must contact Student Services to acquire a ctcLink ID # and be added to the AMPA student group, which will provide them access to the application course on Canvas.
- Specific immunizations are required as part of the application process, and some series may take 5 to 6 months to complete. Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly. See the Phlebotomy Program Student Handbook.
- If accepted, complete your background check and obtain the required supplies and equipment.
- Register for fall quarter classes and purchase the required texts.
- Attend the mandatory new student orientation before the start of the fall quarter
- Click here to view the Phlebotomy application timeline.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can expect to work mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctor’s offices and other outpatient clinics. The profession is in high demand, with 17% growth projected from 2019-2029 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. National certification may be required for employment in some states.
Potential Positions and Earning
Potential positions include Medical Assistant – Phlebotomist, Forensic Phlebotomist, or Lab Assistant. Wages often begin around $19.89/hour or $41,380/year per the BLS. Phlebotomists with advanced skills and experience can earn up to $23.92/hour, or between $39,410 to $45,940/year in Washington State and the Pacific region.
Program Prerequisites
Students entering this program should have good familiarity with computer software and hardware in the Windows or MAC environment. Placement test(s) will help determine placement level in math and English if not known. Previous coursework may also indicate placement level. Students will complete the Program’s application process in spring or summer quarters for subsequent fall quarter entry; entry codes are required to register for all MED courses.
Program Requirements
Course requirements are listed below, along with the typical quarter/year in which the course is completed. The typical student schedule is based on entering the program during the fall quarter. Actual student schedule may vary. Since some courses have prerequisites, actual completion time may be longer than what is indicated for the length of program on the previous page.
CERTIFICATE