HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Basic Phlebotomy
PLAB 1023
96 hours
Southeast Campus
Tuesdays, 6:00pm-9:30pm
and Thursdays, 5:30-9:30pm
Konnie King Briggs, PBT, ASCP; CPI, ACA
Lecture/Lab Instructor
Office Phone: (713) 718-7235
konnie.king@hccs.edu
Alief Campus
Saturdays, 8:00am-3:30pm
Claudia Perez, M.Sc., M.Ed, PBT (ASCP)
Lecture/Lab Instructor
Office Phone: (713) 718-7583 or (713) 718-7235
claudia.perez@hccs.edu
Clinical Instructor
Sharon Benthall, MT, ASCP
Office Phone: (713) 718-7624
sharon.benthall@hccs.edu
Continuing Education Office
Houston Community College Southeast
6815 Rustic
Houston, Texas 77087
713-718-7633
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE  SOUTHEAST
COURSE SYLLABUS
BASIC PHLEBOTOMY
PLAB 1023
Skill development in the performance of a variety of blood collection methods using proper
techniques and universal precautions. Includes vacuum collection devices, syringes, capillary skin
puncture, butterfly needles and blood culture, and specimen collection on adults, children, and
infants. Emphasis on infection prevention, proper patient identification, labeling of specimens and
quality assurance, specimen handling, processing, and accessioning. Topics include professionalism,
ethics, and medical terminology.
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
The student will demonstrate knowledge of infection control and safety; demonstrate understanding of
quality assurance and the importance of specimen collection in the overall patient care system; and
demonstrate knowledge of collection equipment, various types of additives used, special precautions
necessary, and substances that can interfere in clinical analysis of blood constituents. The student will
demonstrate proper techniques to perform venipuncture and capillary puncture on adults; and demonstrate
the knowledge of proper techniques in collection procedures on children and infants, requisitioning,
specimen transport, and specimen processing.
GOALS:
Upon completion of this course the student will successfully:
A. Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system and medical terminology.
B. Observe Standard Precautions and practice infection control and safety with lab skills procedures.
C. Describe the anatomy and physiology of body systems, and list anatomic terminology in order to
relate major areas of the clinical laboratory to general pathologic conditions associated with the
body systems.
D. Perform specimen collection according to CLSI guidelines.
E. Describe specimen collection equipment, types of additives used, special precautions necessary,
and substances that can interfere in clinical analysis of blood constituents.
F. Follow CLSI standards for maintaining specimen integrity.
G. Contrast manual and computerized requisitioning for specimen collection.
H. Describe quality assurance and quality control for phlebotomy and specimen processing.
I. Communicate (verbally and nonverbally) effectively and appropriately in the workplace.
J. Demonstrate understanding of HIPAA regulations and safeguarding PHI.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will demonstrate mastery of these objectives by performing
the following procedures according to a required checklist, incorporating didactic with tactile
performance:
1. Venipuncture specimen collection using Standard Precautions for the following procedures:
 Multi-sample, evacuated tube system
 Multi-sample, butterfly/evacuated tube system
 Single sample, syringe and needle system
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2. Outpatient and inpatient identification.
3. Capillary specimen collection using Standard Precautions for micro collection tubes and
hematocrit determination.
4. Blood glucose determination by capillary collection, verifying and recording controls within the
acceptable range.
PREREQUISITES:
The student must:
 have a high school diploma or GED;
 have an acceptable score on the COMPASS test or acceptable grades on academic transcript;
 show proof of two vaccinations against the Hepatitis B virus; and
 attend an information session with program faculty.
OTHER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
To function effectively as a phlebotomy student and as a phlebotomist, there are certain physical,
mental, and emotional attributes which are required to be successful. These include eye-hand
coordination, visual acuity, fluency in English, the ability to promptly respond to an emergency,
good emotional health, and the ability to work under stress. Refer to the Phlebotomy Technician
Handbook for a detailed description.
If a student is unable to begin the clinical course, PLAB 1060, within 60 days of the completion date of
PLAB 1023, the student will be required to repeat PLAB 1023 or complete PLAB 1091, Phlebotomy for
the Healthcare Professional, to be eligible for clinical placement. The student must attend a clinical
orientation and the student folder must be complete before clinical placement. All documents required
for clinical placement are due on the date of clinical orientation. See checklist at the end of the
handbook.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
One book is required, which may be purchased at the Eastside campus bookstore, majorsbooks.com, or
other on line book stores. The book is Phlebotomy Essentials, 5th edition, ISBN-13: 978-1-60547-637-7
by Ruth E. McCall and Cathee M.Tankersley. The companion book, Phlebotomy Exam Review, 4rd
Edition, ISBN: 978-1-60831-120-0 is also available and recommended but not required.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
A. Attendance Policy
Regular and punctual attendance is required at all lecture and laboratory sessions. Class roll
will be taken. If an absence is anticipated, the student is to make a scheduling arrangement in
advance with the instructor. Any student, who exceeds nineteen hours of absence, including
tardies, may be withdrawn from the course. A student who arrives after the scheduled class
time is considered TARDY. Three tardies equal one hour of absence. It is the student’s
responsibility to keep track of his/her attendance record and make up all assignments and
exams missed.
Additionally, any student who arrives for an examination fifteen or more minutes late may not
be allowed to take the examination that day. A time will be scheduled by the instructor during
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the semester to take the missed exam.
B. Dress Code
Students will be expected to attend class and student laboratory clean and neatly dressed to present
a professional appearance.
1. Scrubs
For safety purposes, students are expected to wear scrubs to the student laboratory. Because
the classroom activities are often completed early, leaving time for unscheduled lab, it is
recommended that students wear scrubs to every class.
2. Lab Coat
A laboratory coat will be issued to each student at the beginning of the course. It must be
fastened securely during the laboratory session and stored in its designated place in the lab
at the end of each session. It is never worn or taken outside of the laboratory. Lab coats
soiled with bio hazardous substances must be replaced.
3. Foot Wear
Appropriate footwear is required in the student laboratory. Closed toe and heeled shoes
that are soft-soled, such as leather-type tennis or similar shoes are required. No high
heels, sandals, canvas or lightweight material shoes or shoes that have open areas are
allowed.
4. Fingernails
Fingernails must be clean and at a reasonable length. Reasonable length is defined as
1/8" above the finger tip. No artificial nails permitted. Clear polish only is permitted.
5. Jewelry
While in student lab, jewelry should be limited to one ring and a wristwatch. A
conservative necklace that is kept close to the skin (not dangling) and conservative
earlobe earrings (no more than one pair) that do not extend more than 1/2 inch below the
earlobe are acceptable. Wearing of any other jewelry, or apparel, must be pre-approved
by the instructor.
6. Hair
Hair must be a conservative style, appropriate for the professional lab environment. Hair
must be kept away from the face and eyes during all lab sessions. Caps and hats are
prohibited.
7. Fragrances
All perfumes, colognes and other fragrances of any kind are prohibited from the
classroom and practical/lab sessions at all times.
C. Cell Phones and Pagers
Cell phones and pagers must be turned off while in the classroom or student laboratory.
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D. Behavior
Disruptive behavior or any behavior that interferes with any educational activity being performed
will not be allowed. Additionally, no student may interfere with his/her fellow students’ right to
pursue their academic goals to the fullest in an atmosphere appropriate to a community of scholars.
The following specific rules will apply throughout the course:
1.
2.
3.
4.
E.
Be on time.
Be prepared.
Be respectful and courteous.
Be helpful.
Recording devices
The student use of recording devices, including camera phones, video and audio tape recorders,
cameras and any other electronic device that is capable of recording human voice or image is
prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices and other locations where instruction,
tutoring or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a
reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information
regarding reasonable accommodations. Additionally, the use of recording devices is prohibited in
restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms and other locations where people have a reasonable
expectation of privacy. Violation of this policy may result in discipline, including expulsion.
SPECIAL STUDENT LABORATORY REQUIREMENTS
The student must show proof of the second vaccination against Hepatitis B by the first week of class
and before performing any invasive manikin procedures. The student must show proof of the third
vaccination against Hepatitis B before performing any live invasive procedures.
Additionally, the student must maintain a 70% average in the lecture portion of the course in order to
perform invasive procedures in the laboratory portion. This includes ALL invasive procedures, for
venipuncture and capillary, whether on a manikin or live.
A. It is the responsibility of the student to prepare for each lecture/laboratory session. Laboratory
exercises must be studied prior to attending the laboratory period to provide the student with the
basic understanding of what will be expected of him/her during the laboratory session.
B. Each student is responsible for his/her own work and for the cleaning up of his or her workstation.
C. Blood and other biological specimens possibly containing pathogenic organisms will be collected
and used in this course. Therefore, the following precautions must be observed:
1. Food, drink, gum, mints, lozenges, (anything by mouth), or the application of cosmetics is
not be permitted in the laboratory. Avoid putting objects in your mouth or touching your
face or eyes.
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2.
Proper hand sanitizing must be observed before and after performing patient/lab procedures
or handling laboratory equipment. Proper hand sanitizing is essential in preventing the
acquisition and spread of potentially harmful organisms.
3.
Safety, professionalism and appropriate behavior are ESSENTIAL when learning and
performing the technical skills of phlebotomy.
D. Appropriately disinfect and clean work area thoroughly after each laboratory session.
E.
Cover spills with paper towels and soak thoroughly with disinfectant for15 minutes.
F.
All accidents/incidents are to be reported immediately to the laboratory instructor.
G. Standard Precautions and proper hand sanitizing techniques as outlined in the Phlebotomy
Technician Handbook and textbook must be observed at all times.
STUDENT EVALUATION:
This course is nonacademic. You will not receive semester hours as credit for the course. By meeting the
course requirements, you will receive a grade of “COM” (complete). By failing to meet the course
requirements, you will receive a grade of “F” (failed). To determine completion of the course, the
instructor will assign grades for all exams, assignments, lab activities and practical exams.
The student must maintain an average of 70% for the lecture portion of the course AND a minimum of
75% for the student laboratory portion to receive a passing grade of completion.
Lecture Portion – ½ of Final Grade
1. Final Exam – 50%
2. Exams, quizzes, assignments – 50%
Laboratory Portion – ½ of Final Grade
1. Practical exams – 80%
2. Lab procedures – 20%
WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY:
For continuing education courses fewer than 360 contact hours, full refund will be made if 1) a student
withdraws before the first class date, 2) if the college makes an error or, 3) the college cancels the class.
The college processes refunds as soon as possible, and they are generally mailed four to six weeks
following the last day to apply for a refund. Any refund mailed to the student’s name and address on
record is considered delivered. The Stop Payment Fee to reissue a refund check mailed to an incorrect
address is $20. Tuition and fees paid directly to the institution by a sponsor, grants, loans, donor, or
scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the student. Fees paid by other third
parties, such as friends or relatives, will be refunded directly to the student.
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DISABILITY SERVICES:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services (DDS)
Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the DDS Office. The Southeast College DDS number is 713-718-7218.
The Southwest College DDS phone number is 713-718-7909. The Central College DDS phone number is
713-718-6164. The Northwest College DDS phone number is 713-718-5408.
ADDITIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Houston Community College has outlined instructional goals in the strategic plan, “Building a Learning
College.” Basic Phlebotomy complies with these goals in the following manner:
 Opportunities for Student-Faculty Interaction. Students are encouraged to ask questions
during the didactic portion of the course and request clarification and guidance while in the
student laboratory. Additionally, students may schedule individual conferences with the
instructor as needed.
 Opportunities for Career Exploration. Career and employment opportunities for
phlebotomists are discussed in the didactic portion of the course. Other learning opportunities
are explored in the various disciplines offered at HCC.
 Opportunities for Supplemental Instruction. Students are informed of various books,
publications, videos, and software, which relate to the field of phlebotomy. Outside
assignments are given to enhance learning.
 Speaker Forum. Healthcare professionals are invited to share information on opportunities in
employment, technical aspects of phlebotomy, and customer service.
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STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
PLAB 1023
Please read and initial each of the following statements:
I have read and understand the syllabus and agree to abide by all of the rules contained therein. _____
I have read and understand the Phlebotomy Technician Handbook and signed a Statement of
Understanding for it, and agree to abide by the guidelines stated therein. _____
I understand that if I miss more than nineteen (19) hours of class, including tardies, that I may be
withdrawn from the class. Additionally, if I am withdrawn from the class, I understand that I will have to
pay for the class again to once again be enrolled in PLAB 1023. ______
I understand that if I arrive for an examination fifteen or more minutes late, I may not be allowed to take
the examination that day. A time will be scheduled during the semester to take the missed exam. _____
I understand that in PLAB 1023, I will be performing venipunctures and skin punctures on my classmates,
and they will perform the same procedures on me, as directed by my instructor(s). I agree to fully
participate in these procedures. _____
I understand the restrictions regarding the student use of recording devices in HCC facilities and agree to
abide by these policies. _______
I understand that before beginning the clinical course, PLAB 1060, I must attend a clinical orientation and
have all requirements for clinical placement completed. I understand that all documents required for
clinical placement are due on the day of clinical orientation. ________
I understand that if I am unable to begin the clinical course, PLAB 1060, within 60 days of the
completion date of PLAB 1023, I will be required to repeat PLAB 1023 or complete PLAB 1091,
Phlebotomy for the Healthcare Professional, to be eligible for the clinical placement. _____
I understand that I must maintain an average of 70% for the lecture portion and a 75% for the
laboratory portion of PLAB 1023 in order to receive a passing grade of complete.____
I understand that I must show proof of the second vaccination against Hepatitis B by the first week
of class and proof of the third vaccination before performing any live invasive procedures. _______
I understand that I must maintain a 70% average in the lecture portion of the course in order to
perform invasive procedures in the laboratory portion. ________
I have read and understand the dress code requirements, including the use of fragrances and cell
phones and agree to abide to the rules therein.______
Student Name (print) _____________________________________________________
Student Signature________________________________________________________
Today’s Date____________________________________________________________
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