Cleveland State Community College partners with Polk County Schools for phlebotomy technician bootcamp
The bootcamp program has helped seven graduating seniors from Polk County High School earn a workforce certification while still in high school. The bootcamp program is funded by an Innovative School Model grant.
Cleveland State Community College has helped seven teens earn a workforce credential before even graduating from high school via its phlebotomy technician bootcamp program. By participating in the bootcamp, graduating high school seniors from Polk County High School are now poised to continue their healthcare education with a head start.
According to an article on Cleveland State Community College’s website, Chelsea Falana, who serves as a Workforce Specialist, was quoted as saying of the program, “Workforce Development is proud to partner with Polk County Schools for the Phlebotomy Technician class. This is an amazing opportunity for students to train for a new career in healthcare and stack credentials for college credit.”
Funded by an Innovative School Model grant, the phlebotomy technician bootcamp is a partnership between Cleveland State Community College’s Workforce Development Department and Polk County Schools for an accelerated three-week after school program that teaches participating students how to perform blood draws. At the end of the program, students will take the National Healthcareer Association Phlebotomy Technician Certification exam, which is an industry-recognized credential.
In addition to receiving the credential if the student passes the certification exam, they will also be able to put their participation in the workforce program forward as a course substitution if they choose to pursue a Medical Assisting or Medical Office degree from Cleveland State Community College. Their experience in the phlebotomy technician bootcamp can be substituted for the Medical Terminology course, which is required for both degree programs.
Le-An Thomason, who serves as the Work Based Learning Coordinator/Career Coach for Polk County High School, said of the partnership with Cleveland State Community College, “This grant allows our students to receive training in so many areas that will propel them to high-skill, high-wage careers. We appreciate Cleveland State’s partnership and everything they do for our students and our school as the dual enrollment, dual credit and workforce development opportunities continue to grow each year.”
Of the seven graduating high school seniors who have participated in the phlebotomy technician bootcamp program so far, all of them are planning to continue their healthcare education.
For more information about Cleveland State Community College, visit the school’s website.