Ohio State Career Training Center (OSCTC)

A phlebotomist is a medical technician who is specifically trained for drawing the patient's blood out for carrying out blood transfusions, blood tests and pathology tests.

The Phlebotomy Technician program will present an in-depth study of topics such as anatomy & physiology of the cardiovascular system, the coagulation process, ABGs, infectious disease and biohazards, universal precaution & infection control, equipment and additives, ethical practices, and interpersonal communication. Students will also learn to perform various techniques and methods like butterfly venipuncture, capillary puncture, vacutainer, and taking blood culture.

Upon successful completion of the training program, graduates will receive a certificate and be eligible to take the National Certification Examination offered by National Healthcareer Association. Students who successfully pass the credentialing exam will receive a national license recognized by all fifty states in the nation.

» Class Schedule

» Program Calendar (2023)

» Program Calendar (2024)

Phlebotomists usually work under the supervision of laboratory managers or medical technologists in hospitals, laboratories, clinics, blood banks, and physician offices. Approximately fifty percent of available phlebotomist positions are located in hospitals, while most of the remaining positions are in physician offices and diagnostic laboratories.

A phlebotomist's primary duty is to safely and hygienically draw blood from the patient's veins and arteries. Blood analysis is one of the most important diagnostic tools available to clinicians, so it is vitally important that a blood sample is obtained in a way that does not result in contamination. Additionally, venipuncture is an invasive procedure that can be frightening or even painful to the patient if performed incorrectly. A phlebotomist needs to have excellent communication skills as well as flawless technique.

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 17 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and other locations will need phlebotomists to perform bloodwork.

Blood analysis remains an essential function in medical laboratories and hospitals. Demand for phlebotomists will remain high as doctors and other healthcare professionals require bloodwork for analysis and diagnosis.

In addition to blood analysis, phlebotomists are necessary for blood collection, either at mobile blood centers or dedicated donation centers. These phlebotomists may be especially busy during a health emergency, which can correspond with heightened interest in blood donations.