Shown here at a recent signing ceremony (left to right) are Maine Quality Centers Director Dan Belyea; SMCC Workforce Development Dean Jim Whitten; MaineHealth Chief Human Resources Officer Judy West; MaineHealth Workforce Development Manager Jennifer O’Leary; and SMCC President Joe Cassidy.
Southern Maine Community College (SMCC), in partnership with MaineHealth, is launching a new class to train people to become skilled phlebotomists and provide MaineHealth with the workers it needs for future growth while improving career opportunities for Maine residents.
The NorDx Phlebotomy School begins June 17 and runs through July 19. Up to 15 people will receive five weeks of free training in phlebotomy techniques and blood collection; customer service skills; regulatory, ethical and legal issues; specimen processing; order entry; and clinical rotation.
Training will take place at SMCC’s South Portland Campus, with students also spending more than 80 hours at an off-site clinical facility practicing phlebotomy procedures. Upon successful completion of the program, applicants will be hired for open positions at NorDx, the largest regional clinical laboratory in Maine.
“This class represents our commitment to help employers build the workforces they need to grow and thrive, while providing Maine workers the skills they need for rewarding careers with bright futures,” said Jim Whitten, SMCC Dean of Workforce Development. “SMCC is devoted to offering accessible workforce training that strengthens Maine’s economy.”
Demand is growing for phlebotomists in Maine and nationwide. The number of phlebotomists in Maine was projected to grow by 16 percent between 2016 and 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
NorDx is part of the MaineHealth system. The training is funded through the Maine Quality Centers, which is part of the Maine Community College System and provides customized workforce training grants to Maine employers, with training delivered through SMCC and Maine’s other community colleges.
“Community partnerships like this one ― where education and training provide real job opportunities in healthcare ― are so important for the future of Maine and our region,” said Judith West, Chief Human Resources Officer at MaineHealth. “Our NorDx Phlebotomy School, supported by Maine Quality Centers and Southern Maine Community College, is an excellent example of this exciting work. As the largest employer in the state, MaineHealth understands ongoing training of current and future team members is essential. We are pleased to be a partner with the Maine Community College System on these efforts.