New phlebotomy program offered
By Alyssa Kulpa
IV Leader Staff
IVCC has recently introduced a phlebotomy program to
students, enabling healthcare majors to gain experience with blood testing.
The course, a certificate program at the college, teaches
students how to effectively draw blood.
By studying blood samples, students learn how to conduct
tests that measure the blood count, cholesterol levels and drug levels in the
bloodstream.
The phlebotomy course consists of a classroom-studying period
of four weeks and clinical hours.
Once the classroom hours have been completed, students must
spend 120 hours at a local clinical center and practice their proficiency on the
process of inserting a needle into a patient's arm and drawing blood.
Participating local hospitals include Perry Memorial Hospital
in Princeton, Mendota Community Hospital, Community Hospital of Ottawa and St.
Mary's in Streator.
Gloria Bouxsein, dean of health professions, said that the
program is especially beneficial to healthcare majors because it offers
experience in a wide range of occupations.
"It can either be a long-term or short-term career," Bouxsein
said. "It can be used for many different types of professions."
For students interested in becoming Medical Laboratory
Technicians, licensed technicians whom draw blood and conduct blood tests, a
course in medical laboratory is required. S
Since IVCC does not offer such an elective, the college is
working with Kankakee Community College in order to enable students to enroll in
the course.
"I think it's a really neat program," Bouxsein said. "It's
one of the health careers that there is a shortage of. That makes it really
interesting."
For more information about the program contact Bouxsein at
224-0481 or visit her office in Room A217.