Students attending Peninsula College will earn a Certificate in Phlebotomy. The Phlebotomy Certificate requires 45 credits of coursework. Core curriculum courses must be taken sequentially. Coursework, which starts in the fall, introduces students to the Phlebotomy profession and the healthcare setting. It covers medical terminology, clinical laboratory skills, legal and ethical aspects of healthcare, and principles of Phlebotomy.
The third quarter of core curriculum courses includes a practicum, which gives the phlebotomy student at least 100 hours of hands-on experience working in a laboratory or other healthcare setting. Students also work on resumes, interview skills, and exam preparation. Students are expected to take a national credentialing exam to graduate.
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 to 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.
Degrees & Certificates
CERTIFICATE
How to Apply
Application to the program is required. Applicants who plan to begin the program Fall Quarter must submit their application packet by 5:00 pm on June 1st of the preceding Spring Quarter. Prospective Medical Assisting students should be aware of the fact that they will have to complete a background check and provide documentation of required immunizations prior to enrolling in medical assisting courses.
- Application Steps for the Phlebotomy Program
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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, Rachel Pairsh 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 five to six months to complete. Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly. See the Phlebotomy Program Student Handbook for more information.
- 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.
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- Phlebotomy Program, Student Handbook, 2024–2025
- Phlebotomy Program, Application Timeline 2024–2025
Program Requirements & Prerequisites
- Program Requirements
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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.
- Program Prerequisites
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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.
Opportunities & Earning
- Career Opportunities
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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 & Earning
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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.
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.