A medical professional drawing blood from a patient.

Phlebotomy Certificate

Prepare for employment as a phlebotomist, a medical professional who draws blood for tests, transfusions, research or blood donations, with Oakland University's Phlebotomy Certificate. This program is a two-part course that consists of 10-weeks (40 hours) of classroom instruction in phlebotomy theory and technical skills, followed by two weeks of full-time clinical externship. The program is affiliated with major hospital inpatient and outpatient sites that include St. Joseph Mercy Health System, Beaumont Health and Ascension Health.

You will achieve competency in beginning to advanced venipuncture techniques, common medical terminology of anatomy and physiology relating to the phlebotomy scope of work, blood specimen collection, specimen handling, infection control and safety procedures, and develop professionalism and interpersonal communication skills essential in healthcare settings.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a P.A.C.E. certificate and be eligible to take a national certification exam in Phlebotomy.

Overview

Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. Phlebotomists work mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctor’s offices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomists earn a median pay of $36,320 per year with employment projected to grow 17 percent from 2019 to 2029. Almost all employers prefer to hire phlebotomists who have earned a professional certification.

Enrollment Eligibility

Candidates must meet the following requirements and must provide proof on the first day of the course:

have a minimum of 18 years of age
have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED)

Additional site requirements for the clinical externship:

must be eligible to legally work in the United States without employer sponsorship
must pass a 9-panel urine drug screen performed no earlier than 1 week prior to the clinical
rotation (for Beaumont and Ascension sites only)
**^must pass a criminal and sex offender background check
**must provide the following proof of vaccinations:
- measles, mumps, rubella, varicella zoster
- DTaP or Tdap (or approved medical exemption)
- current season’s influenza vaccine (or approved medical or religious exemption)
- current year’s TB test (or a negative chest X-ray if previously tested positive)
- COVID-19 (or approved medical or religious exemption)
- hepatitis B or a signed declination statement

** These must be submitted to the program coordinator by the second week of the course to be allowed to continue in the course.
^ More information will be provided on the first day of the course.

Tuition Cost

The cost for the entire program is $1,199.

Tuition includes:

10 weeks of classroom instruction
2 weeks of clinical externship
Required course textbook
Blood-borne pathogen training

Christina R. Lim, M.S., MLS(ASCP)SM
Director and Special Instructor
Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
[email protected]

Dean's Office
3110 Human Health Building
[email protected]
(248) 370-3562

School of Health Sciences

Academic Advising
3070 Human Health Building
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2369

Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
[email protected]