Phlebotomy School

The Phlebotomy School at Crown Medical Center instructs its trainees in the technique for collecting or drawing blood for sampling. This is a highly specialized field, and once you have completed the training, you must become certified to work in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, or private facilities for very competitive pay. Crown Medical Center's Phlebotomy Training Program prepares you to become certified as a Phlebotomy Technician.

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is the act of drawing or removing blood from the circulatory system through a cut (incision) or puncture in order to obtain a sample for analysis and diagnosis. Phlebotomy is also done as part of the patient's treatment for certain blood disorders.

Description of Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy, which is also known as venesection, is performed by a nurse or a technician known as a phlebotomist. Blood is usually taken from a vein on the back of the hand or inside of the elbow.

Some blood tests, however, may require blood from an artery. The skin over the area is wiped with an antiseptic, and an elastic band is tied around the arm. The band acts as a tourniquet, slowing the blood flow in the arm and making the veins more visible. The patient is asked to make a fist, and the technician feels the veins in order to select an appropriate one. When a vein is selected, the technician inserts a needle into the vein and releases the elastic band. The appropriate amount of blood is drawn and the needle is withdrawn from the vein. The patient's pulse and blood pressure may be monitored during the procedure.

For some tests requiring very small amounts of blood for analysis, the technician uses a finger stick. A lance, or small needle, makes a small cut in the surface of the fingertip, and a small amount of blood is collected in a narrow glass tube. The fingertip may be squeezed to get additional blood to surface.

The amount of blood drawn depends on the purpose of the phlebotomy. Blood donors usually contribute a unit of blood (500 mL) in a session. The volume of blood needed for laboratory analysis varies widely with the type of test being conducted. Therapeutic phlebotomy removes a larger amount of blood than donation and blood analysis require.

What You Will Learn

Crown Medical Center's Phlebotomy School is committed to the success of each of our students. Our mission is to provide quality knowledge and training to guide our students to become qualified and successful Phlebotomists in the medical industry.

Our Program prepares professionals to collect blood specimens from clients for the purpose of laboratory analysis. Students will become familiar with all aspects related to blood collection and develop comprehensive skills to perform venipunctures, venopunctures or venepunctures completely and safely.

Classroom work includes terminology, anatomy and physiology; blood collection procedures; specimen hands-on practice; and clinical training in skills and techniques to perform puncture methods. The program also includes lab exercises, live blood draws, and other exercises intended to prepare students to function as an entry level Phlebotomy Technician.

Entrance Requirements

The school does not discriminate based on race, sex, religion, ethnic origin, or disability, you must be a U.S. Citizen or possess a valid green card to enter into the Crown Medical Center Phlebotomy School. Ask about resources for non-residents.

Perspective students must have at least a high school diploma or equivalency diploma to be accepted for enrollment into the Crown Medical Center Phlebotomy School. If any applicant is beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Minnesota and does not yet possess a high school diploma or equivalency diploma, (s)he may be required complete an "ability to benefit test" as approved by the Minnesota Department of Higher Education. The Crown Medical Center Phlebotomy School does not administer the mentioned test, but will provide information on its availability when requested.

NOTE: It should be understood that being a Phlebotomist is a physical job, and as such, the applicant should be in good health and physical condition and able to sit, stand, bend, and walk for long periods of time.