Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy

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.

English Language Learner Students: Visit the ELL Healthcare Programs Page

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Certificate of Completion (non-credit)

Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy

View Classes in the Class Schedule

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Program Applicant Eligibility

Program Applicant Admission Requirements:

Earned at least a High School Diploma, HiSET, or a GED.
Be 18 years or older.
Possess a social security number or ITIN number to enable a background check and be eligible to apply for the CPT-1 licensure upon program completion.

Information Sessions and Application Dates

Information Sessions

Next Information Sessions Date: TBA

Application Dates

Students apply for the Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program during or after successfully completing MLT 410NC and/or MLT 411NC courses.
Students enrolled in MLT 410 & MLT 411 will be sent the application link to apply for the Phlebotomy Clinical Training.
Deadlines for applications are TBA for each cohort.

How to Enroll in the Program

Enroll in MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC. These courses may be taken together in the same semester, or separately over two semesters.
- Medical Assisting Students
  - Medical Assistant students who have successfully completed MA 212B may petition to waive MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC, and enroll directly into MLT 412NC.
  - A passing grade for MA 212B must be posted to the transcripts before submitting a petition.
  - Contact Elizabeth Weiss in the Counseling Office to file a Petition for Course Waiver.
- Certified Nursing Assistant Students:
  - CNA students who have successfully completed the full CNA program may petition to waive MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC, and enroll directly into MLT 412NC.
  - A passing grade for MA 212B must be posted to the transcripts before submitting a petition.
  - Contact Elizabeth Weiss in the Counseling Office to file a Petition for Course Waiver.
Qualified candidates are admitted into MLT 412NC and MLT 413NC for clinical training.
- The number of students admitted to the Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program is related to the number of available clinical training sites.
- Students will be placed at one of Saddleback College’s contracted clinical facilities.
- To participate in clinical training, students will be expected to obtain the required clearances for both Saddleback College and the training site.

Clinical Requirements

Students enrolling in MLT 413NC, Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the clinical training. Any findings may affect the student's ability to progress through or complete the program.

Students are expected to abide by the program requirements as stated on page 10 of the Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program Handbook.

Students are required to register with CastleBranch and purchase the CastleBranch (CB) Compliance Tracker. Click on this link to go to the CastleBranch portal.
- Please select “Phlebotomy” from the menu.
- Use package codes: SJ34.

Students are advised to start the clearance process while enrolled in MLT 412NC, at least 3 months in advance of placement.

Students must complete the clearance process by:
- Fall 2025 enrollment of MLT 413, students must complete the clearance process by:
  - June 18, 2025 – deadline to submit initial titer results to the Student Health Center.
  - July 16, 2025 – deadline to create your CastleBranch account.
  - August 6, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents to the Student Health Center.
  - August 14, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents to CastleBranch.
  - August 21, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents site onboarding documents to the program assistant.
- Spring 2026 enrollment of MLT 413, students must complete the clearance process by:
  - September 3, 2025 – deadline to submit initial titer results to the Student Health Center.
  - October 1, 2025 – deadline to create your CastleBranch account.
  - October 29, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents to the Student Health Center.
  - November 5, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents to CastleBranch.
  - November 12, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents site onboarding documents to the program assistant.
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
- Students are required to use CastleBranch for the background check and drug screen.
Professional Behaviors Release
Liability Insurance - HPSO
- Select “Get a quote”
- Select “Student”
- At the drop down program menu, type in “Phlebotomy”
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 and Fees

NOTE: Phlebotomy courses are tuition free.

**Tuition, Fees, and Program Costs**
Description	Cost
Tuition per unit (CA resident)	$0
Book	$80
Health Fee ($26 per semester x 2)	$52
Uniform: Shoes, Lab Coat, etc (approximately)	$50
Professional Practice Experience (PPE) Expenses
Medical Clearance and Immunizations	$150 - $1000
Student Medical Liability Insurance	$28
Background Investigation, Drug Test, and Tracker Fee	$140
CPR/BLS	$60 - $120
Total (estimated) Program Cost	$560 - $1470

**Exam Application and License Fees**
Description	Cost
California Phlebotomy Exam Application Fee	$130
California MLT License Fee	$100

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 and Cohort Sequences

Required Courses
Course	Title	Hours	Notes
MLT 410NC	Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession (online, asynchronous)	16.6	May be taken concurrently with MLT 411NC or separately
MLT 411NC	Basic Laboratory Procedures (online, asynchronous)	16.6	Maybe taken concurrently with MLT 410NC or separately
MLT 412NC*	Phlebotomy Skills Lab (in-person, on-campus)	66.4	* Prerequisite: MLT 410NC & MLT 411NC
MLT 413NC*	Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience (in-person, off-campus**)	58.1	* Prerequisite: MLT 412NC
	Total Hours Required	157.70

NOTE: MLT 413NC must be taken within 6 months of completing MLT 412NC.

** Two-week, 80-hour assignment can fall any time over the semester. No other class meetings required.

Fall Cohorts

Group A

	1st 8-week Session	2nd 8-week Session	All Term
FALL	410 NC 411 NC	412 NC complete compliance
SPRING			413 NC placement in laboratory

Group B

	2nd 8-week Session	All Term
FALL	410 NC 411 NC
SPRING	412 NC complete compliance
SUMMER		413 NC placement in laboratory

Spring Cohorts

Group A

	1st 8-week Session	2nd 8-week Session	All Term
SPRING	410 NC 411 NC	412 NC complete compliance
SUMMER			413 NC placement in laboratory

Group B

	2nd 8-week Session	All Term
SPRING	410 NC 411 NC
SUMMER		412 NC complete compliance
FALL		413 NC placement in laboratory

Summer Cohort

	2nd 8-week Session	All Term
SUMMER		410 NC 411 NC
FALL	412 NC complete compliance
SPRING	413 NC placement in laboratory

2024-2025 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.

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Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 (9-months)

Expenses	Living With Parents (2 Semesters)	Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees	$1,432	$1,432
Books & Supplies	$1,062	$1,062
Living Expenses: Food & Housing	$14,480	$25,916
Personal & Misc.	$4,059	$4,968
Transportation	$1,791	$1,962
Total Resident	$22,824	$35,340
Total Non-Resident	$35,124	$47,640

Summer 2025 (3-months)

Expenses	Living with Parents	Living Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees	$712	$712
Books & Supplies	$354	$354
Living Expenses: Food & Housing	$4,827	$9,276
Personal & Misc.	$1,353	$1,656
Transportation	$597	$654
Total Resident	$7,843	$12,652
Total Non-Resident	$13,993	$18,802

Less Than Half-Time (less than 6 units)

Expenses	Living With Parents		Living Away from Parents
	Fall & Spring	Summer	Fall & Spring	Summer
Tuition & Fees	$1,432	$712	$1,432	$712
Books & Supplies	$1,062	$354	$1,062	$354
Transportation	$1,791	$597	$1,962	$654
Total Resident	$4,291	$1,666	$4,462	$1,723
Total Non-Resident	$16,591	$7,816	$16,762	$7,873

Additional Factors in Calculating the Estimated Cost of Attendance

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): $446 per unit ($376 non-resident tuition fee + $70 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)
- A Cost of Attendance Appeal may be requested by emailing scfinaid@saddleback.edu.