Phlebotomist

• This nine-week certificate program will give you the skills you need to draw blood and prepare specimens.

• Students who complete this program will be eligible to take a national certification exam to become a phlebotomist.

What is a phlebotomist?

Phlebotomists draw blood from patients for lab tests and procedures. Phlebotomists are critical members of the care team in medical practices and hospitals throughout South Carolina. 

Other duties may include:

• Explaining procedures to patients and answering their questions
• Point of care testing, such as taking a reading for blood glucose levels
• Preparing specimens for testing 

Which program is right for you?

MTC offers two options for students interested in phlebotomy.

1. The Training Certificate, listed on this page, does not require you to apply to MTC and offers a quicker approach to training, focused solely on phlebotomy skills.
2. The Academic Certificate requires you to apply to MTC and offers a broader base of education including courses on biology, medical ethics, health care software, and anatomical basics. This program is best for people who want to build on their career as a phlebotomist and eventually continue their health care education. Academic programs also allow you to apply for federal financial aid through the FAFSA. 

Either option will allow you to take the same test to be certified as a phlebotomist and eventually work in a doctor's office or hospital setting. 

About the Program

This program will allow you to earn a certificate in phlebotomy in just 12 weeks. You will then take a national certification test through NHA, which will allow you to have a career in a variety of healthcare settings in SC. You’ll learn to follow universal precautions, tie tourniquets, identify veins, and demonstrate knowledge and use of equipment necessary for drawing blood. Clinicals are included.

What are phlebotomy courses like?

Instructional methods will be varied including classroom, lab, online/hybrid, simulation/virtual reality, and clinical rotations, during which students will have comprehensive clinical experiences in medical laboratory specimen collections, transport, storage, and basic test procedures. 

What happens after I complete the program?

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be eligible to take a nationally recognized certification exam. Employment opportunities in South Carolina include positions in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctors’ offices.

Why choose MTC?

MTC partners with medical facilities throughout the Midlands to provide real-world experience that is invaluable for our students. This experience can work to your advantage when it's time to look for jobs after you graduate from the program. In addition, our instructors are experts in the field who will share their lived experience and give you the personal attention you need to be successful.