Vol State is looking to expand its phlebotomy program into Livingston because of the growing need for people working in health care.
Health Sciences Center Director Terri Crutcher said students do not need any training or experience in health care, and called phlebotomy a great jumping off point in the field. Crutcher said Phlebotomy jobs are expected to grow by 25 percent by 2026.
However, she anticipates a higher than projected growth.
“So many folks in health care are changing right now because of the COVID pandemic,” Crutcher said. “Others are very apprehensive about working in hospitals, especially where there’s so much exposure to the COVID virus.”
Crutcher said Livingston students would have one class a week on Zoom and one class in the Livingston lab starting in March. Crutcher said the course will prepare students for the NHA certification exam, and their career.
“This prepares them to work as a phlebotomist in a hospital setting, a doctors office, an independent lab,” Crutcher said. “They will draw blood and collect specimens from patients, for processing.”
Crutcher said the decision to promote and expand this program is because of the growing need. She said that is why Livingston is one of the campuses hosting labs.
“We’ve been running the phlebotomy course for several years, we are trying to expand into the Livingston area,” Crutcher said. “We’re hoping to draw a larger group of folks in to take the course, and then provide labs in their area.”
This is a non-credit course, so students would not be eligible for financial aid. However, Crutcher said there are community partners, like workforce centers, who could offer help paying.
Crutcher said at the end of the course, students would be certified as phlebotomy technician.
The post Vol State Expanding Phlebotomy Course Over Growing Needs appeared first on News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.