MA 129 - Clinical Rotations for Phlebotomy

This course allows students to obtain direct patient care experience collecting clinical samples from actual patients under the supervision of a host-site preceptor during individually assigned off-campus clinical rotations using skills and techniques learned in the concurrently required on-campus lecture/laboratory course using the most current industry-standard venipuncture collection equipment at an assigned SUNY Erie affiliated clinical site with an emphasis on actual performance of procedures. Students are required to participate in at least forty-five (45) hours of off-campus, college sponsored clinical rotations in phlebotomy.

Prior to beginning clinical rotations, students must complete compliance training sessions in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards regarding Bloodborne Pathogens, Infection Control and Laboratory Safety procedures, as well as the standards to safeguard protected health information (PHI) as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and submit required Health Science Division Student Health Report Forms providing evidence that they have completed all necessary health screenings, received all mandatory immunizations, and are able to meet the essential physical functions and technical standards of the course without posing any public health threat.

Students must exhibit professional and ethical behavior in all interactions with patients and other allied healthcare professionals and are expected to provide their own transportation to and from assigned clinical rotation host sites.

According to SUNY policy #3200 (Admissions of Persons with Prior Felony Convictions), SUNY Erie must inquire whether a student has had a prior felony conviction before the student can participate in any college sponsored off-site activity. Screening may be completed at http://tinyurl.com/ErieBoxedOut. Failure to complete this screening will affect participation in this course.

Students who successfully fulfill the requirements of both MA 129 and its co-requisite will be eligible to sit for national Phlebotomy Technician certification exams.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the function of phlebotomy in the healthcare setting and the role of the phlebotomist as a member of the healthcare team
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the healthcare delivery system and medical terminology
3. Demonstrate competency and compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards regarding Bloodborne Pathogens, Infection Control and Laboratory Safety procedures, including selection of appropriate barrier/personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper disposal of biohazardous materials such as sharps and regulated medical waste
4. Demonstrate compliance with federal, state and locally mandated regulations regarding safety practices.
5. Identify emergency and protective practices in the clinical workplace, including proper responses to accidental exposure to needle sticks, chemicals, blood and other body fluids
6. Identify the purpose of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), fire safety protocols, and emergency practices for evacuation of a healthcare setting
7. Demonstrate competency and compliance with the standards that safeguard protected health information (PHI) as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
8. Recognize the anatomy and physiology of body systems and anatomic terminology in order to relate major areas of the clinical laboratory to general pathologic conditions associated with the body systems
9. Recognize the importance of specimen collection and specimen integrity in the delivery of patient care and performance of point of care testing (POCT)
10. Demonstrate knowledge of collection equipment, various types of additives used, special precautions necessary and substances that can interfere in clinical analysis of blood constituents
11. Perform venipuncture and capillary puncture, following standard operating procedures to collect specimens and demonstrating appropriate vein selection, proper collection techniques and recognizing the need for specialized techniques and considerations associated with blood collection and micro-collection
12. Demonstrate understanding of requisitioning, specimen transport and specimen processing
13. Demonstrate understanding of quality assurance and quality control in healthcare
14. Demonstrate accepted practices to correctly identify patients and the labeling protocols of all patient specimens
15. Identify the evacuated tube color codes associated with the various types of additives, and describe the proper order of draw for blood specimen collections
16. Recognize the importance of collection criteria, specimen storage and transport for routine and special tests and identify the criteria for minimizing collection complications and specimen rejection by the laboratory
17. Document patient care accurately in the medical record
18. Communicate (verbally and nonverbally) effectively and appropriately in the workplace
19. Define basic units of measurement in the metric system and apply mathematical computations to solve equations and convert among measurement systems
20. Apply the skills required to project an image of professionalism to include appearance, conduct, punctuality, competency and continuing education and demonstrate empathy, competency and care when interacting with patients