GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
Nov 17, 2023
Posted in: DTI, Education, employment, health
Dumont Technical Institute (DTI) offered the Phlebotomy Applied Certificate Program in Saskatoon for the first time this past Spring/Summer. The need for the program was first recognized after meeting with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), and the demand for Phlebotomists throughout the province was discussed.
The Phlebotomy Program provided students with both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. It was originally designed to be an online program and then was modified for this cohort to be in the classroom at the DTI Saskatoon Campus. The students enjoyed the in-class and hands-on experience they received.
The program required a certified Medical Lab Technician and instructor Erin was up for the challenge. With her expertise and knowledge base, she was able to provide students with excellent experience. Erin provided instruction in the classroom as well as the lab. The students were provided access to a lab within DTI and completed their program requirements on campus. It was also an excellent place for students to practice and fine-tune their skills. The students practiced phlebotomy on rubber arms and attachments before they got an opportunity to practice on people.
The SHA worked with DTI by providing centrifuges and Phlebotomy chairs for our in-house lab. Once the labs were completed, the students moved on to the practicum portion of the program. During the last two weeks of the program, students participated in the practicum, where they received training on location at St. Paul’s Hospital and two Lifelabs locations in Saskatoon. This provided the students with the opportunity to gain experience working with patients/clients.
The program was three and a half months in length which worked out really well for the students as they could transition into employment immediately after the program ended. Three-quarters of the students were employed within two weeks after the program ended, and some were working two days after the program’s end date. Overall, the Phlebotomy Program was well received by students and DTI’s program partners.
This article was originally published in the GDI Communicator Vol. 17 Issue 9, September 2023. The Communicator is a monthly internal newsletter intended to celebrate the achievements of the management and staff of the Gabriel Dumont Institute. You can find the archive of previous issues in the Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture.
GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
