Phlebotomy & EKG Technician Certificate Weekday Program

Goals and Purpose:
Phlebotomists are skilled health care professionals who have been trained to collect, transport, handle and process blood and other specimens for laboratory analysis using venipuncture and micro collection techniques. In addition, phlebotomists must be able to identify and select equipment, supplies and additives used in blood collection and understand factors that affect specimen collection procedures and test results. Many facilities also require the phlebotomist to perform Electrocardiography (EKG) tests that measure and monitor the electrical activity in the heart. As the need for cross-trained healthcare professionals’ increases, RadiumSoft Inc. has created the Phlebotomy and EKG Technician program. Successful students may become certified by a national exam. The program places emphasis on the safe practice of collecting adequate and correct blood specimens by capillary or venipuncture on adults, children and neonates.

The Phlebotomy/EKG certificate program is an intensive curriculum with classes in Basic Phlebotomy and Basic EKG. This certificate is designed for students interested in taking technical Programs for immediate entry into a field of employment, and for current health care workers who would like to update their phlebotomy and EKG testing skills.   

Program outline/Schedule for Phlebotomy

This schedule is subject to change should the need arise. Any and all changes will be announced in class.

WEEK 1

DAY 1: Introduction, Class Rules, Phlebotomy as a Profession, Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Issues.
Introduction to the Laboratory

DAY 2: Basic Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology [An Overview] Laboratory

DAY 3: Phlebotomy Practice and Quality Assessment Basics. Laboratory

DAY 4: Blood Collection Equipment Laboratory

WEEK 2

DAY 5: Test on Material Taught in Previous Week Safety and Infection Control Laboratory

DAY 6: Documentation, Specimen Handling, and Transportation Laboratory

DAY 7: Venipuncture Procedures Laboratory

DAY 8:             Preanalytical  Complications in Blood Collection Laboratory

 WEEK 3

  Day 9:            Test on Material Taught in Previous Week Venipuncture Procedures Laboratory

Day 10:            Capillary Blood Specimens Laboratory

Day 11:            Pediatric and Geriatric Procedures Laboratory

Day 12:            Special Collections Laboratory

WEEK 4

Day 13:         Test on Material Taught in Previous Week Preparation and review for Final Exams Laboratory

Day 14:            Preparation and Review for Final Exams Laboratory

Day 15:            Preparation and Review for Final Exams Laboratory

Day 16:            Final Exams Theory and Practical

 Program outline/Schedule for EKG

Program objectives:

          At the end of this program, the student should be able to:

1. Describe anatomy and physiology of the heart and its conduction system
2. Properly place12 lead EKG unit
3. Troubleshoot a 12-lead EKG unit
4. Recognize normal and abnormal patterns of all EKG leads
5. Identify major landmark in the cardiovascular system
6. Discuss stress testing and the uses of 24 hours Holter monitor

Instructional Resources: EKG plain and simple 2nd ed, Karen M Ellis Pearson Prentice Hall. Handouts, as deemed necessary by instructor.

 WEEK 1

DAY 1: Introduction, Class Rules, Coronary Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction: Electrophysiology

DAY 2: Electrophysiology, Introduction: Lead Morphology and Placement

DAY 3: Lead Morphology and Placement, Technical Aspects of EKG Laboratory 

DAY 4: Calculating Heart Rate, How to Interpret a Rhythm Strip

WEEK 2

DAY 5: Test on Material Taught in Previous Week Rhythms Originating in the Sinus Node Rhythms Originating in the Atria

DAY 6:             Rhythms Originating in the AV Junction Rhythms Originating in the Ventricles

DAY 7: AV Blocks Laboratory

DAY 8:             Rhythm Practice Strips

WEEK 3

 DAY 9:            Test on Material Taught in Previous Week How to Interpret a 12 Lead EKG

Day 10:            Myocardial Infarction, Artificial Pacemakers

Day 11:            12-Lead EKG Practice Laboratory

Day 12:            Cardiac Medications and Electrical Therapy

 Week 4

Day 13:            Test on Material Taught Previous Week, Diagnostic Electrocardiography        

Day 14:            Putting It All Together:  Critical Thinking Scenarios   

Day 15:            Review for Final Exam

Day 16:            Final Exam

Week 9 & 10: Externship

80 hour externship (Max 40 hours per week). If for any reason student fails to do 40 hours per week, the externship will continue beyond the stipulated time). If the student is not able to complete the required externship due to any reason such as work, medical, etc. then the student needs to provide a letter from the concerned person suggesting the reason. Alternative for such exceptions is to complete the required additional 25 sticks in school.

Externship Policy
Upon completion of all class & lab requirements students must finish an 80 hour externship for a student to be certified.    If a student is working a 40 hour per week schedule, the 80 hours could be accumulated in two weeks.  However, if the externship is part time, it will obviously take longer.  The hours are what are being counted, not the weeks.

In the event a student rejects an externship or desires to change an externship midstream, RadiumSoft will grant one additional opportunity for an alternative site.  Thereafter, it will be the sole responsibility of the student to procure his/her own externship site.

Upon changing from one externship to another, all hours accrued on the original externship site will be lost.  Externship hours will start from zero at the new site regardless of how many hours completed on the original site.  The 80 hours must be completed at one location and without any gaps in time. 

Instructional strategies:  Lectures, practice questions, videos, demonstrations

Methods of Evaluation:   Quizzes, Tests, Lab techniques, demonstrations

Grading scale
Grade                %
A                  91-100
B                  81-90
C                  71-80
F                  Below 70    

Attendance
Good Attendance is imperative in order to keep up with your classes and to maintain good standing in school.  Since this institution is a business college, we encourage students to always conduct themselves in a professional manner and develop a positive attitude toward consistent attendance that can be carried with them in to the business community.  Absences should be documented in writing upon the first day of return.

Assignments/Projects/Exams
All school work activities/exercises and reading assignments are to be done as per instructors orders, and will be due upon request.  All tests are timed and must be completed within the specified time given.

1. Make up work will be accepted, without penalty, with and excused absence.
2. A grade of no more than 90% will be given for all work that is one day late.
3. No work will be accepted after 3 days late and a grade of 0% will be assigned.
4. Exams may only be made up the day of return from an excused absence with a grade of no more than 90% given.

Payment plans
Student’s tuition must be paid in full prior to taking their final exam or being sent to an externship.

Career Services
Career assistance is an important part of the Program curriculum.   Attendance at one career workshop is mandatory of all students. Individual resume and cover letter critiques are available with the career advisor by appointment.  At the end of the Program an updated resume must be submitted to be assigned an externship or Program certificate.

School Uniform Policy
The RadiumSoft “scrubs” are the required school uniform.  The uniform must be worn at all times while in classes.  Any comfortable white sneakers/tennis shoe preferred. Black shoes are acceptable. All shoes must be closed-toe.  Absolutely no sandals allowed. 

National Certification Exam
Upon completion of the Program, the student may register for the national certification exam.  All registration information is available online through the National Healthcare Association by going to http://www.nhanow.com  Exams are available at RadiumSoft the second Monday of each month at 3:00 pm., however, advanced registration is required.

Student Surveys
Students are given an evaluation survey at the conclusion of the each class, and asked to provide constructive feedback.

NOTE: The above is subject to change any changes will be announced in class. Students are held responsible for any changes announced in class.     

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