Associate of Applied Science in EKG-Phlebotomy Technician
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This Program prepares students to operate an EKG machine and to work as technicians in non-invasive cardiac diagnostic laboratory units in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, medical clinics, and other medical facilities. Students will learn how to prepare patients for EKG mountings, how to operate a 12 lead EKG machine, how to interpret EKG readings including identification of signs of advanced heart diseases, interpretation of advanced arrhythmias, interpretation of hypertrophies as well as myocardial infarction.
Additionally, students will acquire the professional skills needed to perform phlebotomy procedures (drawing blood). Students will also learn how to perform medical asepsis techniques, blood collection, patient identification, finger sticks, venipuncture, heel sticks, and collection of urine samples. Upon completion of the Program, students will have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to practice competently as EKG and phlebotomy technicians.
Completion of the EKG-Phlebotomy Program is acknowledged by the awarding of an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the American Medical Technologist (AMT), and the National Association of Health Professionals (NAHP) certification exams
Program Requirements and Online Options
Students can complete the program through classroom instruction. Arts and Sciences courses can also be completed online. It typically takes weeks 60 weeks (6 quarters) to complete the entire Associate’s program without breaks.
| Credits Required | Number of Classes |
|---|
| Core Component |
67.5 |
15 |
| Arts and Sciences |
22.5 |
5 |
| Total Required for Graduation |
90 |
20 |
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Click on each group of courses below to expand the course list and descriptions.
Core Requirements
Anatomy and Physiology I
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is a scientific study of the structure of the human body and
its parts including organization of the body, the relationships and
functions of the digestive, urinary, cardiovascular, lymphatic,
respiratory, reproductive systems, nutrition and metabolism. Laboratory
activities coincide with lectures to enhance understanding of each topic
by providing visual and hands-on experiments. Supplemental Lab Fee
required. Prerequisite: None. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours 30
MED110
Anatomy and Physiology I
4.5
Medical Terminology
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course presents a study of basic medical terminology. Prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms, special endings, plural forms, abbreviations, and symbols are included in the content. A programmed learning, word building systems approach is used to learn word parts for constructing or analyzing new terms. This provides the opportunity to decipher unfamiliar terms and check their spelling. Emphasis is placed on spelling, definition, usage, and pronunciation. Abbreviations introduced as related terms are presented with each unit. Prerequisite: None.
MED120
Medical Terminology
4.5
Basic Clinical Procedures
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course focuses on universal precautions in the medical environment, including understanding blood borne pathogens, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, infection control, collecting and handling specimens and an introduction to microbiology. In addition, the student will gain proficiency in medical asepsis in a simulated setting. Also covered will be emergency procedures. Prerequisite: MED110. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours: 30.
MED140
Basic Clinical Procedures
4.5
Principles of Phlebotomy
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course discusses the process of blood collection for the purposes of testing and diagnostics. Students will be exposed to the role of a phlebotomist, quality assurance, anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system, safety, equipment, technicians, specimen collections, and special procedures. Topics include CLIA, HIPAA, and OSHA guidelines. Prerequisite: MED140 & MED210. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours: 30.
MED155
Principles of Phlebotomy
4.5
Anatomy and Physiology II
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is a scientific study of the structure of the human body and
its parts including relationships and functions of the Integumentary,
muscular-skeletal, nervous, and endocrine systems. Laboratory activities
coincide with lectures to enhance understanding of each topic by
providing visual and hands-on experiments.
Supplemental Lab Fee required. Prerequisite: MED110. Lecture Hours:
30; Lab Hours 30
MED210
Anatomy and Physiology II
4.5
Medical Office Practice
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course introduces the student to the administrative functions of the medical office or clinic. Emphasis is placed on written and oral communication, scheduling, medical records, documentation and filing. In addition, telephone techniques, etiquette and management/human resource skills will be covered. Prerequisite: MED120.
MED250
Medical Office Practice
4.5
Phlebotomy Procedures
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course is a review of laboratory and clinical procedures in a medical office. The course includes the discussion of possible complications with phlebotomy. The student will perform venipuncture and capillary sticks while using proper safety procedures. Supplemental Lab Fee Required. Prerequisite: MED210 & MED140. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours: 30.
MED255
Phlebotomy Procedures
4.5
Electrocardiography
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course enables the student to perform electrocardiography (EKG) and recognize and interpret basic cardiac rhythms along with atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias. Recognition and identification of the location of various myocardial infarctions is also included in the course. Utilizing the skills learned, the student will be able to identify and respond appropriately to life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and EKG changes. Prerequisite: MED210. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours: 30.
MED285
Electrocardiography
4.5
Blood Chemistry Analysis
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course introduces students to various methods of analysis used in clinical chemistry laboratories to assist in diagnosing, monitoring treatment, and preventing disease. The course also includes theory and analysis of chemical constituents of the blood. In addition, the course includes detailed theory, testing methodologies, reference ranges, clinical significance, and laboratory analysis of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and liver function tests. After learning proper methods of specimen collection, preservation, and the processing of patient specimens, the students learn tests that measure carbohydrate metabolism including glucose testing for hyper and hypoglycemia. The course includes as well detailed theory and laboratory analysis of the following: renal function test (BUN, creatinine, and clearance tests), lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, CHD risk), and liver function tests (bilirubin). Additional units of study include serum electrolytes, pH and blood gases, therapeutic drug monitoring automation, and laboratory information systems. Prerequisite: MED155. Lecture Hours: 30; Lab Hours: 20.
EPT210
Blood Chemistry Analysis
4.5
Clinical Hematology I
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This is a basic hematology course that studies the cells of the blood. Diseases and conditions that would result in abnormalities in laboratory tests performed are also discussed. This course introduces the learner to basic techniques in performing and interpreting tests of blood group serology. The ABO and Rh systems are studied with an emphasis on accurate grouping and typing, donation, blood components, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and transfusion practices. This course also exposes students to practices/techniques used in a transfusion laboratory/department. Additional topics of discussion include major hematological disorders with identification of typical findings on blood smears are emphasized. The anemias and leukemias are studied in detail; cytochemical stains are introduced. The course also includes a study of the blood coagulation process, its theory and practical application.Prerequisite: MED155.
EPT220
Clinical Hematology I
4.5
Clinical Hematology II
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course provides further instruction and study of the techniques of blood group serology, compatibility testing, and the selection of the proper blood component for the patient. Adverse reaction to blood products and reaction investigations are discussed. Basic concepts of humoral and cell mediated immunity are also considered. The role and pathways of complement are discussed and diagrammed. Types of antigenantibody reactions are studied including agglutination, precipitation, and labeled immunoassays. Lab procedures include the use and interpretation of commercial serology test kits. Immune disorders including hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, transplantation, and tumor immunology are studied in detail. The serological diagnosis of infectious diseases such as spirochetes, streptococcal, viral infections, and HIV are discussed. This course is intended to broaden the student’s knowledge of blood bank analysis and procedures performed in a hospital setting. Discussions of donor screening, blood processing, and component preparations are in accordance with the American Association of Blood Bank Standards. Prerequisite: MED155.
EPT230
Clinical Hematology II
4.5
Advanced Electrocardiographic Interpreta
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course will prepare students to operate a 12-lead EKG machine utilizing the proper techniques of performing electrocardiograms, stress tests, and holter monitor exams. Students will be able to perform EKG mountings and tracings, will learn the cardiovascular system, and interpret EKG readings including recognition or normal and abnormal arrhythmias. Students will also become cognizant of advanced heart diseases such as myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure including interpretation of advanced arrhythmias, hypertrophies, heart blocks, premature ventricular contractions, and fibrillations. Prerequisite: MED285.
EPT250
Advanced Electrocardiographic Interpreta
4.5
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course studies the role of exercise in health and disease, specifically acute and chronic effects of exercise upon the cardiovascular system. Students explore therapeutic benefits of exercise intervention and rehabilitation for individuals with heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The course provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of physiological principles and concepts related to clinical cardiopulmonary assessment. Students will gain knowledge of the graded exercise stress test (GXT) in terms of specificity and sensitivity. Students will also identify advantages and disadvantages various GXT protocols. Students will explain the normal and abnormal physiological adaptations during the GXT. Students also list and explain absolute and relative contraindications to the GXT and the exercise therapy session. In addition, students interpret GXT and EKG results to appropriately assess exercise response, identify EKG changes during the GXT, explain the appropriate response, explain the effects of the major
cardiovascular drugs on the GXT and Rx responses, and list the normal emergency equipment and drugs available during GXT and Rx therapy sessions. Prerequisite: MED285.
EPT260
Cardiac Rehabilitation
4.5
Cardiovascular Invasive/Non invasive Pro
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course introduces the basic principles and applications of echocardiographic procedures. Emphasis is placed on the physical assessment, physical principles of cardiac ultrasound, and echocardiographic imaging planes. Upon completion, students should be able to identify echocardiographic views with application of echocardiographic principles. Students will explore in detail the construction and purpose of specialized equipment and its utilization during invasive procedures such as coronary angiogram, percutaneous coronary intervention, balloon angioplasty, coronary stenting, atherectomy, intravascular ultrasound, angiojet thrombectomy, transesophageal echocardiogram, pacemaker implantation, peripheral implantation, peripheral artery angiogram/intervention, and EVLT procedures. Prerequisite: MED285.
EPT270
Cardiovascular Invasive/Non invasive Pro
4.5
EKG-Phlebotomy Externship
Credits:: 4.5
Prerequisites:
This course will give students the opportunity to apply the techniques and skills learned in MED255 in a clinical setting. Students will be able to perform medical asepsis techniques, blood collection, patient identification, finger sticks, venipuncture, heel sticks, and the proper collection of urine samples. In addition, students will perform electrocardiograms, stress tests, and holter monitor exams. Upon completion of the course, students will have the necessary skills to practice competently as EKG and Phlebotomy Technicians. Prerequisite: "C" grade or higher in all curriculum courses (with the exception of one General Education course which should be taken concurrenlty with EPT290). 81 Quarter Credit Hours from their program. Lecture Hours: 0; Externship Hours: 135.
EPT290
EKG-Phlebotomy Externship
4.5
Arts and Sciences Requirements
See the Arts and Sciences Elective Pool Requirements