MLT 214 - Specialized Phlebotomy

Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.  Identify parts of the body according to their proximity to one of the body planes.
2.  Identify the veins of the arms, hands, legs and feet on which phlebotomy is performed.
3.  Explain the functions of the major constituents of blood.
4.  Define hemostasis, and explain the basic process of coagulation and fibinolysis.
5.  Discuss the properties of arterial blood versus venous blood, and describe the difference in collection methods.
6.  Describe the phlebotomist’s role in collecting and/or transporting types of patient specimens which are analyzed in the clinical laboratory.
7.  Identify the additives used in blood collection, and explain their reasons for use.
8.  Identify the evacuated tube color associated with the additives.
9.  Describe substances which can interfere in clinical analysis of blood constituents and ways in which the phlebotomist can help avoid these occurrences.
10.  List and select the types of equipment needed to collect blood by a variety of techniques.
11.  Identify potential sites for venipuncture and capillary puncture.
12.  Identify alternate venipuncture collection sites and describe the limitations and precautions of each.
13.  Describe the legal and ethical importance of proper patient/sample identification.
14.  Describe the types of patient specimens that are analyzed in the clinical laboratory.
15.  List the general criteria for suitability of a specimen for analysis.
16.  List the circumstances that would lead to recollection or rejection of a patient sample.
17.  Explain the importance of timed specimens, fasting specimens, and stat specimens.
18.  Demonstrate understanding of requisitioning, specimen transport and specimen processing.
19.  List the most common types of laboratory procedures performed in the various sections of the clinical laboratory department.
20.  Describe the system for monitoring quality assurance in the collection of blood specimens.
21.  Identify policies and procedures used in the clinical laboratory to assure quality in the obtaining of blood specimens.
22.  Describe the laboratory criteria for identifying an appropriate request for specimen collection.
23.  Relate legal responsibilities of the laboratory and phlebotomist to the need for physicians’ requests for all specimen collection and testing.
24.  Explain methods for processing and transporting blood specimens for routine and special testing within the hospital.
25.  Explain methods for processing and transporting blood specimens for testing at reference labs.
26.  Describe potential clerical and technical errors that may occur during specimen processing.
27.  In regard to processing and transporting of blood specimens, describe the general effects of time on test quality and patient care.
28.  Describe the conditions that must be met if blood specimens and laboratory tests are to be used as legal evidence.
29.  Describe instructions to be given to patients in preparation for glucose tolerance tests, bleeding times and other procedures normally performed by the phlebotomist.
30.  Discuss the importance of appearance and grooming for phlebotomists.
31.  Define the different terms used in the medicolegal aspect for phlebotomy and discuss policies and protocol designed to avoid medicolegal problems.
32.  Prepare an acceptable blood smear.
33.  Recognize unacceptable blood smears.
34.  Describe the purpose and procedure for performing bleeding times.