Phlebotomy Full-Course Program Update
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related government orders and CDC guidelines, there have been many changes to the daily operations of healthcare facilities and schools across the country and worldwide.
Most hospitals and clinics across California have temporarily suspended student externships to focus on coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and managing their day to day operations, including all PhlebotomyU’s clinical externship partner sites. The good news is that PhlebotomyU recently received word from two of its largest partners that they plan to start accepting student externs in the near future.
To adapt to the current and dynamic situation, PhlebotomyU is modifying its program as follows to ensure the safety of its students and staff, maintain curriculum quality and integrity, and provide timely instruction. The below approach is designed to first optimize student performance on the national exam, then teach hands-on phlebotomy skills and techniques at times that are convenient to the student and nearer to anticipated clinical externship start dates so that recently learned skills remain fresh and relevant:
PART I: Phlebotomy Didactic and National Exam
*Beginning June 1st, PhlebotomyU will be moving to completely in-person instruction for the Phlebotomy Full Course, Phlebotomy Advanced Course, Phlebotomy Didactic Only Course and the Blood Withdrawal Course.
- The Phlebotomy Didactic portion is the theory portion of the class designed to help prepare students to pass the National Exam. This portion of the class will be held online via Zoom.
- For the Weekday and Evening Class, this will consist of 3 weeks of online class learning.
- For the Weekend Class, this will consist of 6 weeks of online learning.
- The National Exam will be held in class at our facility during one of the classroom days. It is a 150-questions, multiple choice exam that requires a score of at least 70% to pass.
In order to proceed to Part II of the Phlebotomy Full Course, students will need to successfully complete Part I and submit all externship prerequisites. Scheduling for Part II (below) will be prioritized to students who have submitted all their prerequisites.
Part II: Phlebotomy Practical and Clinical Externship
- The Phlebotomy Practical will be held in-class at PhlebotomyU’s facility and is designed to help prepare students become proficient at blood drawing prior to going on a clinical externship.
- In-Class Practical Schedule:
- For the Weekday and Evening Class, this will consist of 2 weeks of in-class Practical training.
- For the Weekend Class, this will consist of 4 weeks of in-class Practical training.
- To ensure students retain their practical skills and succeed on their externship, it is best to limit the time between students completing the Practical portion and starting their externship. Therefore, depending on clinical externship availability, the Practical portion of the class may be postponed, allowing the start of Practical to align with anticipated externship start dates.
- The Practical schedule will be approximately 2 hours per session and will be offered Monday – Sunday at varying times to allow flexibility for students to complete the Practical portion. Please contact the Admin office at info@phlebotomyu.com or at 619-294-2192 to confirm the current Practical schedule.
- Students will be required to pass a final practical evaluation prior to being scheduled for an externship.
- In-Class Practical Schedule:
- The Clinical Externship will be held at an affiliated hospital or clinic site. The externship schedule will vary depending on the site, but usually consists of 8-hours shifts, Monday – Friday during normal business hours like 8 AM to 5 PM.
The staff at PhlebotomyU will do our very best to ensure you complete the Phlebotomy Full Course in a timely manner. We appreciate your cooperation during this unprecedented time.
Updated COVID-19 Protocols
Classroom Protocols
- All students and staff must wear a facemask in the classroom and office areas at all times.
- PhlebotomyU will perform temperature checks before students may enter the office.
Individuals with a 99.5 temperature or above will NOT be permitted to enter. - Maintain appropriate distancing (6 feet) from students and staff whenever possible.
- No shaking hands or engaging in any unnecessary physical contact.
- Wash or disinfect your hands often and avoid touching your face
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces often
- If you feel sick, have a cough, are sneezing or present with other respiratory issues, PLEASE STAY HOME.
- Wearing gloves is required while performing or supporting blood drawing procedures and is optional otherwise. Use of sanitizer or washing of hands after touching doors, supplies and other items is mandatory. When using gloves, keep in mind they too can become contaminated and must be discarded.
Guidance on the Use of Facemasks
PhlebotomyU will provide each student with a facemask upon entering the office. Students will not be allowed to take this Facemask home. It is to be used only in the PhlebotomyU facility. Students are encouraged to bring their own facemask to utilize once before they enter/leave the PhlebotomyU office.
To remove facemask with intent to reuse:
- Perform hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer)
- Remove mask
- Ear-Loop Mask Style: Remove mask by holding the ear loops. The front is contaminated, so remove slowly and carefully.
- Tie Back: Remove mask by untying lower ties FIRST. Untie upper ties last. The front is contaminated, so remove slowly and carefully. Ensure ties do not fall into the clean interior side of the mask.
- After removing the mask, visually inspect for contamination, distortion in shape/form. If soiled, torn, or saturated the mask should be discarded.
- If the mask is NOT visibly soiled, torn or saturated, carefully store it in the provided brown paper bag. Insert mask so that the front of the mask faces the side of the bag labelled “front.”
- Perform hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer)
To re-apply used mask:
- Perform hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer)
- Grasp Mask: Pinch mask at the ear loops or grasp upper ties
- Place over face
- For ear-loop style mask: Secure ear loops behind the ears. Secure mask.
- For tie back style mask: Secure upper ties first, behind head. End by securing lower ties behind the head.
- Perform hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer)
Disinfect Shared Surfaces in ALL areas:
- Disinfect cabinets, light switches, and any other areas touched.
- Use spray disinfectant on all counters, desks, tables, chairs, machines, printers, robots, and other areas frequently.
- Wipe up any spills and floor areas immediately after spills.
- Clean and dry sinks and surrounding areas daily
- Wipe down doorknobs and other common touch points throughout the day. Doorknobs and handles should be disinfected using prepackaged wipes or with a non-toxic disinfectant spray and a dry towel at the end of every day and throughout the day.
- Keyboards should be unplugged and sprayed between keys with compressed air to dislodge debris.
- Wipe touched items after use and before another individual touches the items.
- Throw disposable items used to clean surfaces and any other items into the trash immediately.
Break Area:
If you take breaks or eat in the kitchen, please do the following:
- Thoroughly wipe counters and tables with spray disinfectant before and after your use.
- Use spray disinfectant to wipe the fridge handle if you open or close the fridge.
- Use spray disinfectant on microwave (inside and outside where you touch)
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email your inquiries to info@PhlebotomyU.com or call us at (619) 294-2192.
COVID-19 Student Waivers & Forms
See additional waivers and forms below related to COVID-19 (for your review only). You will not required to sign forms until requested directly from PhlebotomyU staff.