�鶹Ӱ��

�鶹Ӱ��’s Phlebotomy program received good news in 2024.  

First, the program received accreditation from the American Society Phlebotomy Technicians in July. Then, the first class of Phlebotomy students to go through the program after it received accreditation all successfully passed the national phlebotomy certification test in mid-December and are now certified ASPT phlebotomist. 

“With the accreditation comes more responsibility to the students,” said Griselle Guzman, an adjunct instructor in Health and Wellness. “I reviewed my curriculum and adjusted. The students were receptive and ready.” 

Guzman admitted to being a bit nervous going into teaching the accredited class but says in the end it obviously worked.  
“The students were cooperative, attentive and did just as they were asked to do,” she said. “They followed instruction well and seemed to enjoy the hands-on portions of the class.”  

The class participated in labs, using mannequin arms to practice drawing blood, and also practiced drawing blood on each other. 

“They learn from the mannequin, but to learn on the real thing is more meaningful,” Guzman said. “To help prepare for the exam I would not tell them I was testing them when they went into the lab. I would just say, ‘You got this. Go for it! Pick your partner, get your needles and tubes, introduce yourself to your "patient” as you would in the real world and go through each step right down to correct patient identification and consent.’” 

Guzman would also teach students to palpitate for a vein with their eyes closed. 

“Putting the tourniquet on a real arm and having to find the vein with just your fingers, no eyes, takes much more skill than looking to find a vein. Just finding a vein sometimes is not enough. I wanted students thoroughly prepared for the exam, but also for success in a job,” Guzman said. 

Before accreditation, the exam consisted of roughly 100 questions while now the exam is 250 questions along with a practical. This increase in the number of questions and a practical are all done in the same amount of time, two hours, 10 minutes, as the non-accredited version. 

�鶹Ӱ��’s Phlebotomy program has partnerships with Duke, Labcorp and UNC so class members are able to work at clinical sites, all coming together for Acquisition Day with Labcorp where students are able to apply for a job with the company.  

“We see the college’s strategic plan in action through committed community employer partnership. These symbiotic partnerships are valuable, especially to the students applying for and gaining employment,” said Dr. Jean D. Brown, director and clinical coordinator for �鶹Ӱ��’s Health and Wellness pathway.