Phlebotomy Certificate Program
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Phlebotomist?
   A phlebotomist is an important member of the medical laboratory team. Patient care is dependent on proper collection of specimens. Diagnoses and treatments are determined from specimens collected by a phlebotomist. In addition, the phlebotomist is often the patient’s only contact with the laboratory department.
   
   A phlebotomist collects blood samples from patients by various techniques and may be responsible for the collection of other non-blood specimens (ex., throat culture specimens). Other duties may include preparing specimens for analysis, handling and transporting specimens, drug testing collection, and point of care testing.
    
2. What is the employment outlook for a Phlebotomist?
   Phlebotomists are in high-demand. Vacancies have increased significantly because facilities may need phlebotomists to cover three shifts.
   **The above information has been obtained from American Medical Technologists**
    
3. What is the estimated salary for a Phlebotomist?
   Earnings vary depending on experience, education, and skill level. The following stated earnings is a median base salary range and is not specific to experience or additional skills.                              Phlebotomist                                $27,483
   *The above information is reported data as of May 2007, specific for Hagerstown, MD, and supplied by Salary.com.*
    
4. What kind of job opportunities are available for a Phlebotomist?
   Phlebotomists work in hospitals, clinics, physician office laboratories, medical laboratories or for private companies (ex. specimen collection for insurance agencies).
    
5. Upon completing the program, am I able to take a national certification exam?
   Yes. Successful graduates are eligible to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP) national certification exam for the phlebotomy technician. Upon successful completion of the exam, the phlebotomist is certified as PBT (ASCP).
    
6. Is HCC’s Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy Department responsible for job placement?
   No. The Career Center, located in the College Center building, provides information to students on career choices and assists them with their job search skills. However, exposure to a healthcare site during the externship may lead to a job opportunity.
    
7. What is a clinical externship?
   The phlebotomy clinical externship is the last course completed in the program. You cannot complete this course in conjunction with other courses. The student is assigned to a CLIA approved laboratory to demonstrate their skills and knowledge learned during the program. The phlebotomy externship consists of 120 uncompensated hours with the requirement of performing a minimum of 100 successful venipunctures and/or dermal punctures.
    
8. Am I allowed to choose a location for my externship site?
   No. Hagerstown Community College is contracted with certain healthcare facilities that offer a site where you demonstrate your clinical skills. There are sites available in Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The Externship Coordinator, Terri-Lee Hall, meets with you to discuss your options and site availability.
    
9. When should I prepare for my externship?
   Terri-Lee Hall, the Externship Coordinator, meets with your phlebotomy class the semester beforehand to give instructions on the process. Then you will schedule an individual meeting with Ms. Hall. At this time, she will give you permission to enroll in the externship. You will not be able to register for the externship without this permission. In addition, there is a MANDATORY meeting the week before the semester starts for your externship. Contact Terri-Lee Hall at ext. 286 with any externship questions.
    
10. What are the externship requirements?
    The requirements need to be completed prior to starting the externship and/or when determined by the Externship Coordinator. Each externship site has its own specific requirements for students. Most require a two-step PPD test, a record of certain immunizations (ex. MMR, Varicella, DTP, Hep B), and a criminal background check. The student also has to provide a health record that includes a history and physical.
     
11. Does the program require that I wear a uniform?
    Yes. During the externship, students are required to adhere to the externship sites’ specific dress code policy. In the future, the program may require a universal student uniform as part of the program.
     
12. How long does it take to complete the Phlebotomy program?
    The phlebotomy program requires 12 credits (4 courses). You cannot perform the externship until the first three courses are successfully completed (you must receive a “C” in all courses to obtain the certificate). Therefore, if you attend full-time, you can complete the phlebotomy program in less than one and a half semesters. The time frame is based on the student meeting the prerequisite standards of Math 98, English 100, and IST 101 prior to starting the program courses.
     
13. Why should I choose Hagerstown Community College’s Phlebotomy Program?
    The benefits of enrolling in Hagerstown Community College’s Phlebotomy Program are:
    • Lower tuition fees compared to other area programs.
    • HCC’s Middle States accreditation allows students to transfer their credits to another educational institution.
    • Networking advantages - members of HCC’s phlebotomy faculty are employed from area’s largest laboratory provider.
    • Externship Coordinator available to assist students in their clinical externship experience.
    • Required courses are needed in other allied health programs enabling the student to work toward multiple certificates at one time.
    • Classes and labs will be offered in the newly renovated Career Programs Building.

Hagerstown Community College Contact Information:

• Terri-Lee Hall
  Externship Coordinator
  Medical Assisting/Phlebotomy Programs
  301.790.2800 Ext. 286