Phlebotomy Course: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Phlebotomy Course: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why should you choose the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care Phlebotomy Program?
Our Phlebotomy course has over 10 years of experience making our students great phlebotomists. We
teach you the “gold standard” of phlebotomy which ensures accurate results and patient and phlebotomist
safety. We offer you assistance throughout the course, from after-hours tutoring during the course all the
way to helping you write your resume once you have completed the course.
The director of our program, a bioanalyst with many years of experience as a laboratory director, gives
students the tools not only to become great phlebotomists but the information to allow them to achieve
careers in the hospital and laboratory even beyond that of phlebotomy.
ENROLLING
1. Do I have to fill out an application for the phlebotomy course?
No, there is no application for our course. The course is open to anyone who is interested in the subject and
wants to obtain their phlebotomy license.
2. How do I enroll in the course?
You can enroll online, over the phone or by coming into the office. If you are enrolling online, you can do so
at www.cpc.mednet.ucla.edu. Once you have created a user account, you can enroll in the program. You
can make your payment using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.
If you are enrolling over the phone, please call (310) 267-5959. You can make your payment using Visa,
MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.
If you are enrolling in person, our office is located at 10990 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1450 Los Angeles, CA
90024. We’re located at the corner of Wilshire and Veteran in the KB Home building, just across the street
from the Federal building. You can make your payment with a cashier’s check, money order, corporate
check, or one of the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.
Per University guidelines, we cannot accept cash or personal checks.
PREREQUISITES
3. What are the prerequisites for the course?
To see the complete list of medical and documentation prerequisites for the course, please visit the
Phlebotomy course’s web site page.
4. How can I get medical insurance if I currently am not enrolled with an insurance company?
In the past, several of our students have chosen to obtain short-term health insurance that would cover
them for the length of our course. However, the choice of health insurance plan is solely up to the student.
You contact the program coordinator before enrolling in short-term insurance so that she can give you
information about what the inclusive dates of your policy should be related to your specific class dates.
5. Is there a language requirement for the course?
In order to be successful in the course, students should be able to read, speak and write fluently in English.
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COURSE AND CLINICAL ROTATION INFORMATION
6. Is your program approved?
Yes, our program is approved by the State of California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field
Services. This is the only department that can approve phlebotomy programs in the State of California.
7. What subjects are covered in the course?
One of the things that make our students so successful is that we teach you beyond the basics. We cover
such topics as anatomy and physiology, infection control, quality assurance, anti-coagulation theory,
phlebotomy equipment, “gold standard” phlebotomy techniques, patient identification and requisitions, and
many, many more. For a sample course schedule with the topics and lectures taught, please see the
“Sample Schedule” document on the website.
8. What are the class hours?
For the first two weeks, the class meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 pm - 10 pm, and on
Saturdays from 8 am – 6 pm. For the last four weeks, the class meets only on Saturdays from 8 am - 6 pm.
The didactic (lecture) portion of the course is 6 weeks long. Clinical rotations are held outside of the
scheduled lecture times (see questions 9-11).
9. Where do we go for our clinical rotations and at what times are they held?
You will attend clinical rotations at four locations: Ronald Reagan UCLA hospital (inpatient), UCLA Medical
Plaza Outpatient laboratory, UCLA Santa Monica Orthopaedic Hospital, and the Hollywood Sunset Free
Clinic. The Free Clinic is an off-site location. The days and times for each location vary, but are typically
during the day, during the week. There are some sessions that are held on Saturdays, but there are only a
few offered (as you will be in class on Saturdays for awhile). Please see the document “Clinical Rotations”
on the website for further information.
Students will begin attending rotations as early as the third week of the course and have until one month
after their final written exam to complete the rotations.
If you have concerns about conflicts with school, work, etc. please contact the program coordinator so that
she may try to give suggestions as to how to work around the time conflict.
10. How will we be signing up for clinical rotations?
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Clinical rotations sign-up will start during the 6 class session. Students will sign up based on lottery
system. All of the available dates will be given to you. You will sign up for each shift according to what
works best for your schedule.
11. What are the requirements for the clinical rotations?
You must attend at least 40 hours of clinical rotations and perform a minimum of 50 venipunctures. Of these
50 venipunctures, 5 must be pediatric venipunctures. Pediatric is considered to be 18 years of age and
under. You must also perform a minimum of 10 dermal punctures.
STATE EXAM AND JOB PLACEMENT
12. Does the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care Phlebotomy Program offer the state board exam?
Yes, we are a certified testing site by the National Center for Competency Testing. Therefore, we have the
ability to have a proctor come to you to give you the exam, as opposed to you having to find a testing site on
your own. You will take the exam as a class and will be given the date more than a month ahead of time.
The program coordinator will supply the applications, help you fill them out, send them to the testing
company, and coordinate the exam. She will then ensure that the testing site receives all of the necessary
documentation for the testing company to grade and process your paperwork.
13. What is your success rate on the state board exam?
Last year, our student success rate on passing the state board exam was 97%. That’s more than 10%
higher than the national average.
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14. What do I do after I pass the state board exam?
Once you have passed the state board exam, you can now apply for your California state phlebotomy
license. The program coordinator will also assist you in submitting your application.
15. Do you offer job placement?
We do not offer job placement. However, we do offer a seminar to our students that discuss how to apply for
jobs in a strictly on-line employment society. We discuss where to look for jobs, how to write your resume
and cover letter. We also offer assistance in writing and formulating your resume with in-office appointments
to make you as successful in your job search as possible.
COURSE FEES/ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
16. How much does the course cost?
The course is $1,775.00. This includes lecture materials, skills lab sessions, skills lab equipment, and the
clinical rotations.
17. Are textbooks required for the course?
Yes, we have one textbook that is required for the course and can be purchased in our office for $38.81.
18. Are there any additional fees for the course?
Additional fees for the course include:
Scrubs ($23.00 - $50.00) - The uniform for your clinical rotations and the skills lab will be discussed
during the first day of class.
Parking at UCLA ($7.00 - $11.00) - pricing depends on the parking lot that you use for the course as
well as your clinical rotations. Pricing is subject to change.
Board exam fee ($105.00) - this is paid directly to the exam company at the end of the course.
State license fee ($100.00) - this is paid directly to the state of CA when you apply for your license.
19. Do you offer a payment plan?
Yes, we offer a payment plan. There are a few limited payment plans available for our phlebotomy course.
An initial course fee payment of $635 is required at the time you register for the phlebotomy program. If you
pay by credit card, the initial payment is subject to a 2.75% convenience fee. The remaining blalance must
be paid in two (2) designated monthyly payments before the start of the course.
If you pay for the entire course fee upfront, your cost is $1,775. If you sign up for the payment plan, there
is a $35 sign up fee, a $60 transaction fee for each of the two monthly payments ($120 total), plus the
course fee so your total course fee cost would be $1,930.
For your questions about the payment plan and/or to enroll for the payment plan, please sign up on-line for
our free Payment Plan Workshop or contact our Westwood main office. If you are approved for a payment
plan, the initial payment of $475 and a signed contract are due during the Workshop or at the time you want
to enroll into a course.
Please note that if you are approved for and enrolled via a payment plan, you are responsible for the
payments being received in full by the dates designated on your contract. If your full payments are not
received by the designated dates, you will not be permitted to attend the course, nor will you earn a
certificate of completion.
20. Does the Phlebotomy course offer federal financial aid?
Please note that the Phlebotomy course does not participate in Title IV Federal Financial Aid Programs.
Students are highly encouraged to contact their own local credit union or bank and inquire about what
private loan services they offer to members.
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21. Will the Phlebotomy course accept my GI Bill (Veteran’s Administration Assistance)?
The Phlebotomy course is not eligible to process Veterans Benefits. At our Center, only the Emergency
Medical Technician and Paramedic Education courses are approved for processing GI Bill benefits.
CONTACT INFORMATION
22. Whom should I contact if I have other questions or would like more detailed information?
If you cannot find the answer to your question here or on our web site, please feel free to join us for our Free
Student Information Sessions which are held monthly. For dates and times please visit
http://uclacpc.eventbrite.com. More detailed information including upcoming course dates are posted on our
web site at www.cpc.mednet.ucla.edu .
You can also contact our Main Office at 310-267-5959 or contact Suzette C. Kabalican, Phlebotomy Course
Coordinator, by e-mail at skabalican@mednet.ucla.edu or by phone at 310-312-9313.
Revised July 8, 2014
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