Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 1 comment Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Phlebotomy draws interest at M State
Published 07:07 a.m., September 3, 2009
For some, the sight of blood can prove to be a bit discomforting. But that’s not the case for students who are taking the Phlebotomy Program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) - Fergus Falls.
The college’s one semester Phlebotomy Certificate Program prepares students to step into careers which require them to draw blood. That can be done in a number of settings, including hospitals, clinics.
Pat Ackerson of Detroit Lakes makes the trip three times a week to attend classes at the college. Having hurt his back after a 15 year career in machinery, Ackerson said it was time to look for another career route.
“I wanted to get into something medical,” Ackerson said.
Part of that desire came from experience in the medical field and the opportunities currently available for medical related positions. Before his time spent in the machinery business, Ackerson worked four years as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
The length of time it takes for a student to go through the program is also something that drew Ackerson into the career.
The one semester certificate course program requires students to take 10 credits, including Medical Terminology, Principles and Processes of Phlebotomy and Clinical Phlebotomy.
In addition to time spent in the classroom, students are required to go through a 120-hour clinical experience in a hospital or clinic. In addition to lessons learned from the textbooks, students learn how to draw blood from a number of areas on the body, including the hands, feet, fingers and the anterior forearm, to name a few.
Vanessa Ochsner, who lives in Fairmont, spent 17 years working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) before deciding to go into M State’s Phlebotomy program.
“It’s giving me a bit more knowledge,” Ochsner said.
After this semester on the Fergus Falls campus, Ochsner sees herself working in a hospital setting, where she says she’d likely see a little more variety than in a clinic setting.
Jobs in phlebotomy are also typically found with blood donor services. That’s somewhere Ackerson can see himself working.
When students have completed courses, they are required to take and pass a national certification exam before hitting the workforce.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by tippy98c (Aaron Schultz) on September 4, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They are talented health care professionals.
I see see them regularly working in Emergency Depts directly beside Nurses, Rad. techs, and Md's when critically ill/injured patients are being stabilized.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)
You may also register to comment in our forums at www.fergusfeedback.com.