Phlebotomy is a Certificate program offered by Ridge Technical College in Winter Haven, FL. The program takes 165 clock hours to complete, with a total tuition of $482.
Program Overview
Phlebotomy – 165 hours. This program is designed to prepare students, through rigorous, challenging content to work in the clinical setting as a phlebotomist. Program content includes but is not limited to the performance of safe and efficient work practices in obtaining adequate and correct blood specimens by capillary or venipuncture on adults, children and neonates, maintaining the integrity of the specimen in relation to the test to be performed; preparing blood smears; labeling specimens accurately and completely; collecting timed specimens; promoting the comfort and well-being of the patient while performing blood collecting duties; observing safety policies and procedures.
What sets this Program apart
Department of Health requirements. This program meets the Department of Health’s education requirements for HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and Prevention of Medical Errors.
Laboratory activities. Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program. The instructional processes, tools and materials used in this laboratory are similar to those used in industry.
Occupational Completion Points. This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of two Occupational Completion Points. OCPs provide a student with early completion training options linked to employment opportunities established by the Florida Department of Education based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and accepted industry titles.
Admission Requirements and Process
Eligibility. This program is available for adult students who are 16 years of age or older. Most of the training programs at Ridge Technical College (RTC) have minimum admission or state licensure requirements. Applicants must be at least sixteen (16) years of age and have the interest, ability, and desire to benefit from career education. Applicants should be academically, physically, and emotionally capable of meeting the essential tasks of the chosen program. Qualified students applying for admission are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis during designated enrollment periods.
Adult (postsecondary) procedures. Take the CASAS GOALS assessment ($20 fee and picture identification are required before testing); it is required for all programs 450 hours and over, and a student who graduated from a Florida public high school (graduation year 2007-present) with a standard diploma or possessed an associate degree or higher from a SACS accredited, or equivalent institution is exempt. Interview with the appropriate counselor to interpret test scores and discuss educational plans, entry date, tuition, and fees; register for the program by completing an application; then apply for financial assistance if applicable and/or pay tuition and fees.
Health Science programs. Applicants desiring entry into the Technical College Health Science Education programs must complete all admission criteria specific to the health program selected and meet all general admission requirements. Specific program information is provided at mandatory scheduled information sessions after the application process is completed. Background screening is required for most health science programs. Certain offenses may prevent students from obtaining clinical hours needed for completion of a Health Science Program.
General Requirements
- AgeBe 16 years of age or older.
- CASAS GOALS assessmentTake the CASAS GOALS assessment ($20 fee and picture identification are required before testing). It is required for all programs 450 hours and over; Florida public high school…
- Counselor interviewInterview with the appropriate counselor to interpret test scores and discuss educational plans, entry date, tuition, and fees.
- Florida residency for in-state tuitionStudents claiming Florida residency must provide two documents proving Florida residency for the past twelve months, such as a Florida driver license or state ID, voter…
- AttendanceStudents must be able to attend school regularly and to participate satisfactorily in the activities of this program.
- Background screeningBackground screening is required for most health science programs; certain offenses may prevent students from obtaining clinical hours needed for completion of a Health Science…
Application Process
- 1Take the CASAS GOALS assessmentTake the CASAS GOALS assessment ($20 fee and picture identification are required before testing). It is required for all programs 450 hours and over, with exemptions for Florida public high school graduates (2007-present) with a standard diploma and holders of an associate degree or higher.
- 2Interview with a counselorInterview with the appropriate counselor to interpret test scores; discuss educational plans, entry date, tuition, and fees.
- 3Register for the programRegister for the program by completing an application. Each school has its own application, deadlines, and required documentation; students pay a $30 non-refundable application fee. After acceptance, students must complete the registration process by providing additional documentation.
- 4Complete the FAFSAStudents who wish to apply for Financial Aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once the application is submitted, wait three business days for it to be processed. Ridge Technical College’s Federal School Code is 015780.FAFSA Code for Winter Haven: 015780FAFSA
- 5Ask about this programSome programs may require additional steps and/or a formal interview with an additional staff member for admission. Use Request Information to ask about deadlines for this program.
Program Schedule
Class times at Ridge Technical College, 7700 State Road 544, Winter Haven, FL.
- Monday - Friday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Attendance. An adult student may be withdrawn from school if the student is absent five (5) consecutive days and has not initiated a Leave of Absence request or misses 45 hours in a semester. Attendance requirements in programs that lead to licensure may be stricter than the Colleges’ overall attendance policy.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Ridge Technical College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
All programs offered at the college are approved by the Florida Department of Education and most are approved by the Bureau of State Approving for Veterans’ Training, Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Published program cost. The program page lists the cost at Ridge as FL Resident: $972; Non-Resident: $2,825. Of the Florida-resident figure, tuition at $2.92 per clock hour is $481.80; the rest covers program costs such as lab fees, books, uniforms, certification and licensure, student organization and background or medical requirements, which vary by program.
Tuition and residency. The Polk County School Board, within the guidelines set forth by the Florida Legislature, approves tuition fee schedules for Ridge & Traviss Technical Colleges. For Florida residents, tuition fees for a workforce Education Certificate Program are assessed at a rate of $2.92 per hour. Non-Florida residents are assessed a rate of $14.15 per hour. A student must live in the state of Florida for twelve (12) months before establishment of Florida Residency.
Additional costs. Additional costs include purchase of all required texts, uniforms, shoes, and license or certification fees, where appropriate, and certain personal materials, tools and equipment as determined by the area of training. A criminal background check and drug screening is required on some programs. All students are given the basic student accident insurance through a carrier approved by the Polk County School Board.
Application fee. Students pay a $30 non-refundable application fee.
Financial aid. Financial aid is available for all students who qualify and enroll in an approved technical college education training program. The financial aid offered at the college consists of Title IV Federal Pell Grant, Florida Student Assistance Grant, Florida Work Experience Program, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, Student Financial Aid Fund, private scholarships, and assistance. Nearly 90% of our students qualify for some form of financial aid. Ridge Technical College’s Federal School Code is 015780.
Open Door Grant. The Open Door Grant is available at Ridge and Traviss Technical College for short-term and technical education credentialing courses: the student is responsible for the first one-third of the tuition at the time of enrollment, and the Open Door Scholarship Program pays the remaining two-thirds if the student successfully completes the course and provides the results of their industry certification.
Refunds. If a class is canceled, a student’s enrollment is denied, or a student withdraws on or prior to the first class, tuition is refunded 100% and all fees except the application fee. If a student withdraws after the first-class meeting, tuition is refunded 75% and fees are not refunded. No refunds will be provided after the fifth (5th) class meeting.
Curriculum
Total Program Length: 165 Hours. The program includes the following courses, grouped by Occupational Completion Point (OCP).
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Career outlook. This program is designed to prepare students to work in the clinical setting as a phlebotomist.
Wages. This occupation has an average wage of $18.20 an hour, based on the Florida Occupational Employment and Wages for Polk County.
Licensure and certification. After successfully completing the required course sequence and competency exam, students are eligible to receive the completion certificate.
Credential. Certificates of Completion are awarded after completing 100% of the total standard hours of a career education program; an Occupational Completion Point (OCP) Accomplishment Award marks an exit point prior to program completion.
What to expect as a Ridge Technical College student
Director’s welcome. For nearly five decades, we’ve empowered our community through more than 20 cutting-edge technical programs, strong corporate and industry partnerships, and unique continuing-education opportunities. Each of our programs is built on state-aligned frameworks and industry standards, ensuring that graduates leave fully equipped to earn professional certifications or licenses that employers value.
Instructors. Behind every course stands a team of certified instructors who are not only specialists in their fields but also bring years of real-world experience and deep connections with local businesses.
Mission and vision. Ridge Technical College will assess, prepare, and place individuals in successful and rewarding careers in an increasingly competitive and changing employment market. Ridge Technical College will be Polk County’s premier workforce training institution.
Your own pace. Programs are designed to accommodate your needs by allowing entrance at various times, working at your own pace, and exiting when training and specific job skills are completed. Counseling, career assessment and job placement are also provided.
Career counseling and job placement. The counselors, instructors, social workers, and staff in the Student Services Department are available to assist you with program information and career counseling. Ridge offers job placement assistance to both high school and adult students. Assistance is also offered through CareerSource Polk, Occupational Advisory Committees and the School Advisory Council.
Student organizations. To enrich your career education training program, you are encouraged to join the appropriate student organization which applies to your program area: the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) and SkillsUSA.
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