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.

Program highlights include:

  • Non-credit, tuition-free certificate program.
  • Four-course sequence allowing students to complete their certificate as quickly as two terms.
  • 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.
  • Exceptional full and part-time faculty with a passion for student success.


Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Completion in Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy, students are 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.

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.

Degrees and Certificates

View Classes in the Class Schedule

Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program Information

  • Students must have earned at least a High School Diploma or a GED.
  • Students must be 18 years or older.
  • Possess a social security card to enable a background check.
     

Applications:

The Saddleback College Clinical Laboratory Technician/Phlebotomy Program is an open‐access program and does not require an application.  

Qualified candidates are admitted into MLT 413NC for clinical training, with enrollment limitations related to the number of available sites.

Information Session:

Thursday, August 10th 
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Link:
https://saddleback-edu.zoom.us/j/85094538905?pwd=VkVhUXJVOHlYRVo1QTZpTi…;
Meeting ID: 850 9453 8905
Passcode: 690783

This meeting will review all the clinical training requirements for MLT 413NC.

Sandra Kudza from the Student Health Center will outline the necessary steps to complete the health requirements. This is the most difficult requirement for many students and can take several months to complete.

  1. If you are not a student at Saddleback College or IVC, complete an application online. Click here to apply for admission to Saddleback College.
  2. No applications are required for this program. Students may enroll in the phlebotomy courses every semester.
  3. Qualified candidates are admitted into MLT 412NC and 413NC for clinical training. Candidates qualify by successfully completing MLT 410NC and 411NC.
  4. The number of students admitted to MLT413NC is related to the number of available sites. Students will be placed at one of Saddleback College’s contracted on-site clinical facilities. To participate in clinical training, students are expected to obtain the required clearances for both Saddleback College and the training site.  
     

Students enrolling in the MLT 413NC clinical practicum course are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the Clinical Training Experience. Any findings may affect the student’s ability to progress through or complete the program. Students are advised to start the clearance process once enrolled in MLT 410NC and/or MLT 411NC, at least 3 months in advance of placement. Please see the Clinical Practicum Requirements in  Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program Handbook for more information and required forms.

  • Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements
    • Verified by the Student Health Center
    • Students are required to obtain the following titers/immunizations/vaccines:
      • Measles
      • Mumps
      • Rubella
      • Varicella
      • TDAP
      • Hepatitis B
      • TB Skin test
      • COVID-19 (full immunity)
      • Annual Physical
      • Annual Seasonal Flu shot
  • Physical Advisory Statement and Instructions
  • Back Ground Check / Drug Screening 
  • 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 a 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/.
  • Medical Insurance
     
Tuition, Fees, and Program Costs
Tuition/Fees CLA/P Certificate
Tuition at $46 per unit (CA resident) $0
Application Fee  $0
Book $80
Health Fee $22
Uniform: Shoes, Lab Coat, etc (approximately) $150
Professional Practice Experience (PPE) Expenses  
Medical Clearance and Immunizations $150
Student Medical Liability Insurance $25
Background Investigation Fee $85
CPR/BLS $60
Phlebotomy Certification Exam $130
Total (estimated) cost $702

Costs should not deter you from completing this program. Students in need of financial assistance should immediately contact the Saddleback College Financial Aid Office.

Required Courses
Course 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
  Total Hours Required 157.70

*MLT 412NC and MLT 413NC must be taken at the same time.

2023-2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

Expenses Living With Parents (2 Semesters) Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees $1,426 $1,426
Books & Supplies $938 $938
Living Expenses: Food & Housing $12,656 $22,670
Personal & Misc. $3,608 $4,428
Transportation $1,612 $1,764
Total Resident $20,240 $31,226
Total Non-Resident $32,540 $43,526
Expenses Living with Parents Living Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees $709 $709
Books & Supplies $312 $312
Living Expenses: Food & Housing $4,218 $7,557
Personal & Misc. $1,203 $1,476
Transportation $537 $588
Total Resident $6,979 $10,642
Total Non-Resident $13,129 $16,792
Expenses Living With Parents Living Away from Parents
  Summer Fall & Spring Summer Fall & Spring
Tuition & Fees $1,426 $709 $1,426 $709
Books & Supplies $938 $312 $938 $312
Transportation $1,612 $537 $1,764 $588
Total Resident $3,976 $1,558 $4,128 $1,609
Total Non-Resident $16,275 $7,708 $16,428 $7,759
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $410 per unit ($365 non-resident tuition fee + $45 capital outlay fee)
  • Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)

Optional fees

  • ASG Sticker - $10
  • Student Representation Fee - $2.00 (per semester)
  • Parking Permit Fee
  • Instructional Material Fees - as listed in the Schedule of Classes

Contact the Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy Program