Basic Blood Collection Techniques AHE 242

Basic Blood Collection Techniques AHE 242

Wintel Quarter 2007, Section 1, 2 credits

Tim Guirl, Instructor

Syllabus

Required textbook: Phlebotomy Handbook, 7th Edition, Garza, Becan-McBride. The textbook is available at the NSCC bookstore.

The class meets on five Saturdays. The entire class meets the first Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with an hour lunch break*. Beginning the second week, the class is divided into two groups so that the instructor can give individual attention to students during blood draw practice sessions. One group will meet from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The second group will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is a two-hour overlap for the combined groups. Those assigned to the early (9:00) and late (11:30) groups alternate each week, so that each group has two weeks beginning at 9 a.m. and two weeks beginning at 11:30 a.m. Assigned reading is listed for each week. The readings cover material related to that week’s lecture and prepare the student for the material to be covered in the next week’s lecture. Readings listed for each week should be completed before the next scheduled class.

*No lunch breaks are scheduled after the first week, but shorter breaks are incorporated into the class schedule.

January 6 Entire Class 9:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m.

January 13 Group 1 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Group 211:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Reading: Chapter 1 (pp.1-15),

Chapters 4,5 and Chapter 6 (pp. 161-162)

January 20 Group 29:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Group 111:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Reading: Chapter 8(pp. 207-228) and 9

January 27 Group 1 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Group 211:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Reading: Chapters 11 & 13

February 3 Group 29:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Group 1 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Reading: Chapter 1 (pp. 13-39),

Chapter 8 (pp.230 - 238),Chapter 10,

Chapter 12 (pp. 327-350), Chapters 15 & 16

The course consists of a combination of lectures and practical laboratory instruction. Students first learn the basic techniques practicing on simulated arm veins, then perform blood draws on other students under the instructor’s supervision. The class covers the fundamentals of blood collection using the vacuum tube collection system, syringes, winged infusion set and capillary collection devices. Students are observed closely to help them develop proper technique, and to build confidence in their skills. Students are expected to demonstrate satisfactory use of each technique presented in class, and to exercise the proper safety precautions while collecting blood. All students are required to sign the Acknowledgment of Risks and Hazards form in order to participate in the class.

The class has a maximum enrollment of 20 registered students. Those who are not registered but attend class the first Saturday to add the course may be allowed to enroll based on their position on the registration wait list. The instructor will base a decision about allowing non-registered students to enroll on the maximum enrollment of 20 students. Students who are given permission to add the class must obtain a signed Add Form from the instructor. The student must register within one week and must provide proof of paid registration to the instructor or he/she will not be allowed to attend class.

Students who are on the official wait list to add this class are given instructor permission to enroll in the class according to the order in which they appear on the wait list. Students already enrolled for the second section of the class and requesting to be added to the first section will be placed at the end of the wait list. The maximum class enrollment is 20 students. If the class is at its maximum enrollment, but a student(s) on the official class roster does not appear at the start of the first day of class, he/she will be allowed a period of two hours to show up for class before any student(s) on the wait list will be given instructor permission to enroll in the class.

Because the class meets only five times, students are expected to attend everyclass in order to be given a grade and certificate of completion. Absences will be excused due to unavoidable emergencies and illness. Absence make-up is at the instructor’s discretion, and may require attending the next section of the class. Students are expected to attend their assigned session, so that each group has equal numbers of students. It is a student’s responsibility to contact the instructor regarding a missed class.

A series of videotapes covering various aspects of blood collection supplement the lectures and practical blood collection practice. Required and supplemental readings from the textbook are included to enhance the student’s knowledge of the health care environment and the theory and practice of blood collection. It is expected that a student finishes the course with sufficient basic skills to enable him or her to successfully collect blood from patients in different settings, and with skills adequate for entry-level employment as a phlebotomist.

Grades for the course are based upon a student’s cumulative score on written tests. Each student is required to demonstrate satisfactory performance of each phlebotomy technique. Written tests are timed, with 20 minutes allowed for each quiz and 40 minutes for completion of the final exam. Scantron machine-graded forms and a No. 2 pencil are required for taking tests (Scantron forms may be purchased from the bookstore or Munchmart, located at the south end of the InstructionalBuilding). Tests are closed-book. Each quiz covers primarily the lecture information and practical laboratory skills from the previous week, and secondarily the corresponding readings in the textbook that supplement the classroom lecture and practical laboratory. The final exam is comprehensive and covers lectures and assigned textbook readings from the entire course. Note: Evidence of cheating on a test will result in a grade of zero for the exam.

Grades are calculated as follows: Three weekly quizzes with 20 questions each and the comprehensive final examination with 40 questions are added for a total of 100 possible points. A point total of 70 of 100 (70%) is required to receive a PhlebotomistCertificate. Grades are assigned based on the following scale, where each percentage point change below 97% lowers the grade point by 0.1 as indicated below (Note: Grades below 0.7(64%) are assigned NC—No Credit):

97%-100% = 4.085% = 2.8

96% = 3.980% = 2.3

95% = 3.875% = 1.8

90% = 3.370% = 1.3

Note: Willful violation of safety procedures or biohazard precautions may result in a student’s dismissal from the course. Students can access their grades on the Internet at In addition, students may have their final exam score and course grade sent via e-mail by providing an e-mail address on the Scantron form used for the final exam. Those students who do not have access to e-mail, may have their final exam and course grade sent by regular mail if they provide a self-addressed stamped envelope on the last day of class. Students who sign a Release of Information form give the instructor permission to provide information regarding a student’s academic performance to prospective employers. Students who qualify for a Phlebotomist Certificate upon completion of the class should allow up to six weeks to receive this by regular mail.

Licensing for the State of Washington as a Health Care Assistant , Category A, is obtained through a health care employer, not by the individual or North Seattle Community College. This class does not meet WashingtonState requirements for mandatory 7-hour HIV/AIDS Education for those applying for Health Care Assistant licensing.

Students are expected to adhere to the standards of common classroom courtesy that support effective learning for all students. The instructor requests that students turn off cellular phone ringers and and other electronic communication devices while in the classroom. Please refrain from talking to others during lectures in a manner that disturbs other students or the instructor. Tape recording of lectures is permitted. Due to biohazard precautions, eating and drinking are not permitted in the blood collection classroom, IB-1417. Blood collection equipment, with the exception of tourniquets provided to students, may not be taken from the classroom. The college requests that students maintain a fragrance-free environment in the classroom, and not wear strong perfumes or other fragrances. Any student who is registered with the Disabilities Services Center is asked to see the instructor to provide their registration documentation.

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the syllabus and school policies. Changes may be made to this syllabus at any time. Any changes will be announced in class. Further information regarding NorthSeattleCommunity College procedures and policies can be found in the NSCC Quarterly Class Schedule.

Office hours are by appointment only during the week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I can be reached via e-mail at the following address: Always include AHE 242 in the subject line of any e-mail, so that I will recognize that the e-mail is from a student and not accidentally delete it. The Health and Human Services office phone number is 206-527-3790. Messages may be left for the instructor with the office staff during regular office hours, Monday through Friday.

About the instructor: Tim Guirl is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and completed a one-year Medical Technology internship at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. He has worked in healthcare for the past 30 years in hospitals and medical clinics. For the past five years he has been Clinical Support Supervisor at the Puget SoundBloodCenter. Tim has been involved in health care education and training for many years and has been an instructor for the Basic Blood Collection Techniques class at NorthSeattleCommunity College since 1989. In addition to this class at NSCC, he is an instructor for MAT 100, Math for Health Careers.

Note: An NSCC Parking Permit is not required for on-campus parking on Saturdays