Phlebotomy Short Certificate

Current certification in Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support (BCLS) at the health care provider level is required for all students participating in practicum experiences (MAT 229 and MAT 239). Certification may be obtained at the College through enrollment in EMS 100 or from any other approved agency or facility. On-line certification without hands-on skills sessions is not acceptable.

ADMISSION

Program requirements for health programs offered within the Alabama Community College System may be reviewed and revised between publication deadlines for this and future College Catalog and Student Handbook documents. Admission requirements below were in effect at the time this document was published and may or may not be current. Prospective students should contact the program office to obtain requirement updates.

Students entering the program must be high school graduates or possess a GED® certificate. Applicants must meet all College admission requirements, including appropriate placement testing. To aid in program success, it is advisable that any identified developmental needs be completed prior to enrollment in an MAT prefix program course. The Medical Assisting-Phlebotomy student must provide health information to the College and complete a physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. To progress successfully through the curriculum and function as a practicing member of the health care team after graduation, the following physical attributes are needed: visual acuity with corrective lenses, if required; hearing ability with auditory aids to understand the normal speaking voice without viewing the speaker’s face; sufficient physical ability to question the client and relay information about the client verbally to others; and manual dexterity to provide safe, effective procedures in delivery of health care. Admission is conditional and depends on the student’s ability to perform the essential functions identified for this program. A copy of the essential functions is available from the MAT program office and published on the College Web site, www.wallace.edu. Reasonable accommodations will be considered.

The student who is in need of additional academic background will be scheduled in courses to improve deficient areas. This will require additional time to complete the program, as technical courses are sequential and designed to facilitate the learner’s progress from relatively simple to complex tasks.

A short certificate in Phlebotomy may be earned through the Medical Assisting program. Students desiring a short certificate in the area of Phlebotomy will be required to meet only requirements listed in the corresponding fields of concentration. Students who desire to receive an AAS degree in Medical Assisting with a Phlebotomy short certificate must complete all Medical Assisting AAS courses and MAT 239.

Students completing all courses required for the short certificate in a Phlebotomy concentration are qualified to sit for the Phlebotomy Technician (ASCP) and Registered PhlebotomyTechnician (AMT) certification examinations.

Contractual agreements between the College and clinical agencies may impose additional requirements on students enrolled in health programs. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the areas of attire, confidentiality, criminal background check, liability insurance, and substance abuse screening. Health insurance coverage is strongly recommended as the expense for treatment of injury suffered during training is the responsibility of the student. Any student denied clinical privileges or having clinical privileges revoked by a healthcare facility due to positive background findings or clinical misconduct is not eligible for program admission or readmission.

PROGRESSION

Each term, students are allowed to progress in the Medical Assisting program as they meet the following criteria:

1.  Receive a grade of C or above in all MAT prefix courses.
2.  Receive a score of 90% or higher on the MAT 215 Venipuncture test.

Students are restricted to a total of two attempts at any MAT course before becoming ineligible to continue in the Medical Assisting program. Withdrawals are allowed according to College policy. A grade of W will be recorded as a withdrawal. Grades of F and D will be considered unsuccessful attempts. Receipt of four grades of W, D, or F, in any combination, will result in dismissal from the Medical Assisting program.

In order to progress to practicum, a completed health packet will be required prior to end of preceding semester.

READMISSION

Students who are not enrolled in the Medical Assisting program for two or more consecutive terms, excluding summer terms, are required to meet current admission criteria and to comply with the current program of study. Previous work is subject to reevaluation under the policies and program requirements in effect at the time of the student’s readmission to the Medical Assisting program.