Technical Certificate Admission Requirements

Michelle Hill (901) 333-5400

The Laboratory Phlebotomy Technician program is designed to train individuals to properly collect and handle blood specimens for laboratory testing and to interact with health care personnel, patients, and the general public. Students must apply for admission to second semester courses. This program is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL, 773-714-8880.

Recommended Course Sequence

First Semester: 6 Credits

  • MLAB 1301 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Technology
  • PLBT 1300 Phlebotomy Didactic

Second Semester: 12 Credits

Students must be admitted into the Phlebotomy Program before enrolling in the second semester courses. Applications must be submitted by the deadline date(s).

  • PLBT 1350 Phlebotomy Seminar
  • PLBT 1301 Phlebotomy Clinical I
  • PLBT 1401 Phlebotomy Clinical II

Total Credit Hours: 18

Criminal Background Check

Criminal background checks at the student’s expense may be a requirement at some affiliated clinical rotation sites. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your presence at their facility. This could result in your inability to successfully complete the program requirements. A criminal background check may preclude licensure, certification, and/or employment. Other licensure and/or certification agencies may require that background checks be submitted using one of their designated vendors, which may differ from the vendor recommended by Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Malpractice Insurance

Students are required to purchase malpractice insurance when registering for PLBT 1301 Phlebotomy Clinical I.

Program Costs

In addition to tuition and lab fees, students may have additional costs ranging from $400 to $800 to include uniforms, duty shoes, physical examinations, laboratory tests, immunizations, graduation, certification and licensure fees.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for admission, the applicant must:

  • Have been granted either degree or non-degree admission at the College.
  • Have completed MLAB 1301 Introduction to Medical Laboratory and PLBT 1300 Phlebotomy Didactic with a grade of “C” or higher.
  • Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above.
  • Have submitted the following materials to the Admissions Office by the established deadline: July 1, (fall flex 1term); Sept.  15 (fall flex 2 term); November 1, (spring flex 1 term); February 15 (spring flex 2 term); April 14 (summer term-if applicable).
  • Application for Special Admission Programs
  • Official transcript(s) of all college work attempted and/or completed at college(s) and university(ies) other than Southwest (mailed by the releasing institution)

Selection Criteria

The Laboratory Phlebotomy Technician Admissions Committee ranks applicants according to the following criteria:

  • College-level GPA x 2
  • Required prerequisite course GPA. Prerequisite courses must be current (completed within a year of clinicals) x2
  • Written essay x1
  • Retention Policy
  • Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to continue in the program.
  • Students must meet the technical standards for the Medical Laboratory and Laboratory Phlebotomy Technician Programs.
  • Students must remain in the prescribed LPT full-time course sequence once admitted to the LPT program.
  • Within 30 days prior to enrollment in the Phlebotomy Clinical Assignment course, the student must submit the Medical Statement showing feedom from communicable disease and fitness to perform duties related to clinical assignment. The adequacy of the Medical Statement shall be determined by the clinical affiliate. Additionally, the student shall satisfy the immunization requirements of each clinical affiliate.
  • Within 30 days prior to enrollment in the Phlebotomy Clinical Assignment course, the student shall produce a urine drug screen performed by the designated TBR provider that is negative for all tested substances.
  • Wihtin 30 days prior to enrollment in the PHlebotomy Clinical Assignment course, the student shall produce a criminal background check performed by the designated TBR provider, the results of which are found to be acceptable to each clinical affiliate. Fingerprinting of the student may be required by a clinical affiliate for their review and approval. The costs of all reports and testing shall be paid by the student.
  • Prior to the completiion of Phebotomy Clinical Assignment, the student shall submit documentation of completion of a CPR course or of current CPR training.

Readmission

Students dismissed for academic failure may be considered for readmission the following year under the current policy, based on space availability.

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