Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Introduction to Phlebotomy

 Title Abbreviation:   INTRO TO PHLEBOTOMY

 Department:    AHE

 Course #:    113

 Credits:    3

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    3.5

 CIP:    510801

 EPC:    381

 REV:    2021


 Course Description  

Review government regulations concerning blood products. Perform venipunctures and capillary punctures. Perform selected blood tests. Discussion of cultural/religious beliefs concerning blood products.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: AHE 108 with a grade of C or higher; and concurrent enrollment in AHE 114. Must provide documentation of first two injections of Hepatitis B vaccination series prior to registering for class.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 22

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Use appropriate vocabulary. Distinguish between whole blood, plasma and serum.
  2. Identify the advantages of disadvantages of obtaining blood specimens by capillary puncture or venipuncture.
  3. State when capillary or venipuncture is the preferred method to obtain a specimen.
  4. Discuss and identify the proper equipment and supplies to use to secure a particular blood specimen.
    • Discuss how selecting improper equipment and supplies can increase waste affecting local/global communities and environments.
  5. List the body sites to use and body sites to avoid when obtaining a blood specimen for testing.
  6. List several adverse reactions a patient may experience when having blood drawn and how to respond to each.
  7. Identify the use of different vacuum blood collection tubes by tube top color. Discuss how a blood specimen should be handled after collection.
  8. Explain the difference between a vacuum collection tube with an additive and a vacuum collection tube without an additive.
  9. List the general order of draw when more than one tube of blood is to be obtained for different blood tests.
  10. List at least five blood tests that requires that the patient be in a fasting state before having a blood sample drawn for testing.
  11. Discuss patient preparation for selected blood tests. Discuss, on a general basis, the formation and composition of blood.
  12. Relate the anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system to obtaining blood specimens.
  13. Describe venipuncture and capillary puncture procedures. Explain the purpose of universal precautions.
  14. Define and explain the purpose of CLIA, OSHA, and WISHA.
  15. Perform a capillary puncture. Perform a venipuncture using a vacutainer or a syringe.
  16. Demonstrate the correct method for obtaining multiple blood samples using the vacutainer holder and evacuated blood collection tubes.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Presentation of the human circulatory system. Presentation of the human vascular system.
  2. Review of universal precautions. Demonstration and practice of aseptic technique.
  3. Demonstration and practice of the preparation and aftercare of patients.
  4. Discussion of the proper equipment and supplies to use to secure a particular blood specimen.
  5. Preservation and/or transport of blood specimens. Demonstration and practice of venipuncture technique.
  6. Demonstration and practice of capillary puncture technique.