Monaca, PA – CCBC’s phlebotomy program received a grant for a Point of Care Enhancement Project from the American Society for Clinical Pathology. The grant will fund program enrichment for students pursuing a career in the medical field with the goal of providing up-to-date equipment and technology.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology is the world’s largest professional membership organization for pathologists and laboratory professionals. Since 1922, ASCP has supported more than 100,000 members including anatomic and clinical pathologists, medical laboratory professionals, residents, and students. ASCP strives to provide education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of patients and professionals to accelerate the advancement of laboratory medicine and improve patient care.
ASCP approved CCBC’s proposal for the Medical Laboratory Science Program Director Educational Grant. The endowment of $3,900 will offer financial support to purchase updated glucometers, reagents, controls, and other supplies to be used in the health science learning process. CCBC’s Phlebotomy, Multiskilled Health Technician, and Medical Assistant programs will directly benefit from these point of care enhancements.
Assistant Professor and Director of Phlebotomy, Brenda Siddall, stated, “The rising cost of reagents, controls and other supplies makes it difficult to provide our students the ability to practice using the instruments found in clinical facilities. By performing procedures in the lab, it helps reinforce what we discuss in the classroom which keeps the students engaged.”
The Phlebotomy program at CCBC is a one semester (15 week) program comprised of 4 hours of lecture and 4 hours of hands-on lab training each week with formal in-office clinical experience the last 3.5 weeks. The program is accredited by NAACLS, (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences) which has allowed the program to maintain excellence in quality. Once a student successfully completes both the theoretical and applied aspects of the phlebotomy program, he/she is eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification exam. Once passed, the student will earn the PBT(ASCP) credentials.
CCBC’s interactive Phlebotomy coursework prepares students for careers in a wide variety of healthcare facilities such as laboratories, physician offices, donor centers, hospitals, clinics, outpatient facilities, and public health departments.