Phlebotomy and ECG Technician (Microcredential)

• high school degree or HSE (High School Equivalency)
  
• completion of all developmental English and math courses

Notes:

• All safety protocols must be followed clinical and laboratory courses.
• Students are responsible for providing transportation to off-campus clinical sites assigned for Clinical Rotations in Phlebotomy to observe and perform phlebotomy skills for 45 hours in a practical setting.
• Students who have previously taken a medical terminology course at another institution or who have had experience working in the medical field, may elect to schedule a proficiency test to obtain credit for Medical Terminology I (MA 115) if not needed for PT Financial Aid. Upon successful passing of the Medical Terminology I (MA 115) proficiency test, the student will receive credit by examination (CE) on their college transcript. Any interested student should email the Department Chair at sylviab@ecc.edu to schedule an appointment to take the exam. Note: Students MUST take the proficiency tests PRIOR to attending the respective courses.
• Because of the critical nature of the profession, deviations from professional conduct may adversely affect the patient’s well-being. Therefore, the department reserves the right to immediately remove the student from didactic, laboratory and clinical course work and/or dismiss that student from the program if the department determines that the student has acted in an unprofessional manner or if the student is unable to provide safe clinical practices.

Off-Campus Participation

• This program requires students to participate in college sponsored off-site activities. According to SUNY policy #3200 (Admissions of Persons with Prior Felony Convictions), SUNY Erie must inquire if a student has a prior felony conviction before the student can participate in any college sponsored off-site activity. Screening may be completed at tinyurl.com/ErieBoxedOut.
• A felony conviction may impede a student from completing microcredential requirements, including clinical rotations for phlebotomy, and the ability to sit for national certification examinations.

Completion Requirements

• students must successfully complete all three (3) courses associated with this microcredential before participating in national certification exams
• successful completion of microcredential courses does not constitute certification; learners are not certified until they participate in and pass national certification exams
• upon passing both certification examinations, students will hold NR-CPT and NRC-EKG credentials attesting that they have demonstrated professional competency in the areas of phlebotomy and electrocardiography

Technical Standards
Phlebotomy and Electrocardiography Technicians are patient-facing healthcare professionals, and in addition to presenting to the public in a courteous, pleasant and well-groomed manner to place patients at ease and explain physician instructions, they must also possess the physical and mental standards required to effectively accomplish the skills and behaviors required to achieve the educational goals of the program.

Duties assigned to technicians require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity in order to successfully perform required competencies. In order for students to achieve the essential functions of these professions, students must meet the following Technical Standards:

Visual Acuity: learners must be able to read charts and graphs, discriminate colors, read instruments and record results;

Speech and Hearing: learners must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively in order to assess both verbal and non-verbal communication and share information with other members of the healthcare team;

Observation and Communication: learners must possess the ability to communicate effectively and read, write and use the English language to communicate detailed information verbally and in writing with individual patients, families, visitors and other members of the healthcare team and complete required medicolegal documentation. Additionally, students must functionally use all senses: vision, touch, hearing, and smell which are essential in assessing patients and maintaining safety;

Sensory/ Motor Functions: learners must possess the ability to execute the tasks delegated to them, such as manipulating instruments and equipment, preparing patients for physician examination, collecting specimens and safely performing clinical procedures such as phlebotomy and electrocardiography, and responding to emergency situations;

Psychological Stability: learners must demonstrate the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities. The student must be able to handle stress and take appropriate actions when emergency situations arise; and

Affective Behaviors: in addition to meeting the safety and technical requirements of this microcredential, learners must also possess emotional stability and flexibility to develop the ability to think critically, exercise sound judgment, function effectively in stressful situations, accept constructive criticism, adapt to change, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate appropriate behavior toward patients and other members of the healthcare team.

Health Science Division Student Health Report Form
In addition to the student health form required for admission to the College that is retained in the Student Health Office, a separate Health Science Division Student Health Report Form is required prior to placement at college sponsored external clinical rotation experiences, including MA 129: Clinical Rotations for Phlebotomy and is retained in our department files. The Health Science Division Student Health Report Form provides evidence of a recent physical examination, demonstrating that a matriculating student is in good physical and mental health, capable of completing course requirements, and has received the following required screening and immunizations:

• most recent negative PDD (Purified Protein Derivative) Mantoux test (MUST be within a year)
  *students with a history of positive TB exposure must have a negative chest x-ray within two years
• COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2) Vaccination (MUST provide vaccine record with BOTH dates for two-dose series or date of single-dose vaccine and proof of booster within 30 days of eligibility)
• BOTH dates for MMR (Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella) or positive titer results
• BOTH dates for Varicella Vaccine (Chicken Pox) or positive titer results
• date of most recent Tetanus Vaccine (MUST be within 10 years)
• most recent Influenza Vaccine (MUST be within a year)
• All THREE dates for Hepatitis B Vaccine, positive titer results or declination form

All screening and immunization documentation must include the name and address of who and where the vaccine was ordered and/or administered as well as the date of vaccination.

The Health Science Division Student Health Report Form completed in full and signed by a physician or other qualified representative of the physician office must be received by the instructor prior to the first day of class for MA 127. Only after all complete, signed Health Science Division Student Health Report Forms have been received can placement at affiliated clinical rotation sites be requested or considered. Students who are not in compliance or who submit incomplete or otherwise unacceptable physical exam reports will not be eligible to participate in Clinical Rotations for Phlebotomy and will not be eligible for certification.

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Phlebotomy and ECG Technician Certification Examination Outcomes

Phlebotomy Technicians are increasingly important in the healthcare industry. Charged with drawing blood, the phlebotomist is a vital allied health team member in medical facilities. The Nationally Registered Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NRCPT) designation demonstrates that certified individuals have the medical knowledge and clinical proficiency for collecting blood and laboratory specimens in healthcare settings.

The national NRCPT Certification Examination pass rates for SUNY Erie students from 2019-2023 have exceeded the national average, reflecting a five-year average Examination Pass Rate for SUNY Erie participants at 97.72% with an five-year average exam score of 94%. Outcomes for the NRCPT Phlebotomy Technician exam offered at SUNY Erie have consistently surpassed national averages since 2012.
The following table indicates the NRCPT Certification Examination Outcomes over the past five (5) years:

 

EKG Technicians carry the responsibility of administering electrocardiogram tests, which help practitioners understand the state of a patient heart. As the U.S. population ages, EKG Technicians are needed in increasing demand. The Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician (NRC-EKG) designation demonstrates that certified individuals have the cardiovascular diagnostic and technical knowledge and proficiency required of the electrocardiogram professional in healthcare settings.

The NRC-EKG Technician certification exam offering was added to the program beginning with the Spring 2021 cohort and the national NRC-EKG Technician Certification Examination pass rates for SUNY Erie students from 2021-2023 have exceeded the national average, reflecting a three-year average Examination Pass Rate for SUNY Erie participants at 88.5% and a three-year average exam score of 88%.

The following table indicates the NRC-EKG Certification Examination Outcomes over the past three (3) years:

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