This year’s Garrett College phlebotomy program participants recently completed their classroom hours and are now working on their externship requirements. Sitting, left to right, are students Brittany Burns, Wisteria Uber, Cassie Marsh, and Rebecca Younkin; and, standing, Instructor Bridgette Friend, students Morgan McKenzie, Brianna Wilt, and Emily Aubertin, and Instructor Lindaly Stewart.
Seven students recently completed their phlebotomy training through Garrett College. The program – offered through the College’s Continuing Education & Workforce Development division, includes a 69-hour classroom and lab section followed by an externship.
This cohort completed a new hybrid classroom model, attending two-thirds of the lectures via Zoom without the need to come to campus. They are currently performing externship hours in the lab at West Virginia University Garrett Region. During the externship, each student works alongside a certified phlebotomist while improving programmatic skills.
Upon completion of the externship, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam to earn national certification through the National Healthcareer Association.
This cohort’s students include Oakland residents Brittany Burns, Cassie Marsh, and Emily Aubertin; Grantsville residents Morgan McKenzie and Brianna Wilt; Swanton resident Wisteria Uber; and Friendsville resident Rebecca Younkin.
The next phlebotomy course is scheduled to start in November and will be offered on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. with labs at the Beitzel Career Technology Training Center in Accident.
“With students having busy schedules, we are adjusting our format to being on campus one day a week outside of labs,” said Doug Bietzel, program coordinator. “The other two sessions will be on Zoom and can be done from home.”
Beitzel said that, during labs, more on-campus time is needed to learn skills.
“We tested that format this year, and it seems to work well,” he said.
Orientation dates are already open for the fall program, and online registrations are currently being accepted with scholarship money also available.
Phlebotomy is one of the three certifications earned in the Certificated Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program. This course is also offered in a hybrid model and begins in September so that students can stack credentials.
For additional information about the course or to register, contact Doug Beitzel, program coordinator, at 301-387-3772 or doug.beitzel@garrettcollege.edu.
