The Saddleback College Clinical Lab Assistant / Phlebotomy Certificate of Completion gives pre-professional and current professionals the opportunity to master skills necessary for employment as a Clinical Lab Assistant and/or Phlebotomist.
Successful completion of the Certificate of Completion in Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy makes the program completer eligible to take the CDPH/LFS approved board exam and apply for Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1) license, issued by the California Department of Public Health/ Laboratory Field Services (CDPH/LFS) branch. To be employed as a Phlebotomist in California, a state-issued certificate or license is required. Once licensed, Phlebotomists can work in both private and public diagnostic laboratories, forensic labs, veterinary labs, and biomedical research laboratories.
Program Highlights
- Non-credit, tuition-free certificate program
- 4 course sequence allowing students to complete their certificate quickly
- Hybrid (online and in-person) class formats allows for ease of completion
- Assisted coordination for clinical placement reduces the stress of students finding their own clinical sites
- Program completers will be eligible to take the state certification exam approved by the California Department of Public Health/ Laboratory Field Services branch to obtain a Certified Phlebotomy Technician-1 license required for employment.
- Exceptional full and part-time faculty with a passion for student success
- Catalog Description & Information
- Tuition & Fees
- Clinical Lab Assistant & Phlebotomy Certificate Handbook
Certificate Outcomes and Classes
Students who complete this program will be able to:
- Perform blood specimen collection, transport, and processing as required for diagnostic testing.
- Practice established safety procedures and communicate effectively and professionally with patients, laboratory personnel, and other members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate preparation for applicable State of California approved Phlebotomy certification exam.
Certificate Course Requirements
| Course ID | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MLT 410NC | Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession | 16.6 |
| MLT 411NC | Basic Laboratory Procedures | 16.6 |
| MLT 412NC* | Phlebotomy | 66.4 |
| MLT 413NC* | Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience | 58.1 |
| * MLT 412NC & MLT 413NC must be taken at the same time. | Total Hours Required: | 157.70 |
Starting the Program
- Apply to and be admitted into Saddleback College - Apply here
- Have earned at least a High School Diploma (must be 18 years or older) or a GED may apply to this program
- Students enrolled in the MLT 413NC course are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience:
- Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements
- Physical Advisory Statement and Instructions
- Back Ground Check / Drug Screening order instructions
- Professional Behaviors Release
- Liability Insurance - HPSO
- FERPA Release
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Card:
- Must be through the American Heart Association (No other Providers).
- We offer the class at Saddleback College titled HSC 222- Basic Life Support/CPR for Health Care Providers.
- You may also take it at a 3rd party site. We suggest http://www.lifelinecpr.com/.
- Copy of your current Medical Insurance Card
Important Links
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Certification
Visit the California Department of Public Health to learn about eligibility requirements for each credential, as well as important information about the exam process.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/Pages/Phlebotomist.aspx
Labor Market Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual national wage for phlebotomists was $37,380 in May 2021. For wage data, the median wage is the wage in the middle, where half of the workers earned below this level, and half earn above this level. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,490.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319097.htm
California Labor Market Information
In California, the annual mean wage for phlebotomists is $48,070. This wage estimate is calculated with data collected from employers in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas in California.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ca.htm
Professional Organizations
Student membership in one or more of these associations is encouraged to enhance your professional and personal growth.
ASCP- American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Upon certification, registrants retain ";lifetime" certification through a Certification Maintenance Program (CMP). Registrants may become members and obtain the Journal LABMEDICINE™. Student membership is available and offers free registration in most education workshops.
www.ascp.org
ASCLS-The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science is the national professional society dedicated to representing the profession of Medical Technology through improvement of the status of its members; promoting programs of continuing education; research and development; and advancing the ideals of Medical Technology. Membership provides a subscription to the Journal CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE.
www.ascls.org
AMT- The American Medical Technologists is a professional society for health professionals. Students may join at a reduced rate and are entitled to receive the official publication of AMT, and AMT events.
americanmedtech.org/
Certificate Outcomes and Classes
Hency Chu, PhD, MLS
Program Director
Christina Williams MHA, H (ASCP)
Associate Faculty
Laura Rutman
MLT Project Specialist
949-582-4325