Phlebotomy Training Schools near Ketchikan AK 99901

Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Ketchikan Alaska

Ketchikan AK phlebotomist taking blood sampleEnrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Ketchikan AK is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, most students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Description

Ketchikan AK phlebotomist testing blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Ketchikan AK phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Ketchikan AK hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

Ketchikan AK phlebotomist holding blood sampleThere are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Ketchikan AK, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies include:

  • National Phlebotomy Association
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
  • American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

attending phlebotomy training online in Ketchikan AKTo begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Ketchikan AK healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Alaska college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Ketchikan AK schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Alaska or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Ketchikan AK. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Ketchikan AK local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Alaska school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the Alaska regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Ketchikan AK phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Alaska colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Ketchikan AK medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Ketchikan AK healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ketchikan AK, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Ketchikan AK

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ketchikan AK.

Learn About Ketchikan Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan (/ˈkɛtʃɪkæn/ KETCH-ih-kan;[8]Tlingit: Kichx̱áan) is a city[5][9] in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, United States, the southeasternmost city in Alaska. With a population at the 2010 census of 8,050,[5] it is the fifth-most populous city in the state, and tenth-most populous community when census-designated places are included. The surrounding borough, encompassing suburbs both north and south of the city along the Tongass Highway (most of which are commonly regarded as a part of Ketchikan, albeit not a part of the city itself), plus small rural settlements accessible mostly by water, registered a population of 13,477 in that same census.[10] Estimates put the 2014 population at 13,787 people.[11] Incorporated on August 25, 1900, Ketchikan is the earliest extant incorporated city in Alaska, because consolidation or unification elsewhere in Alaska resulted in dissolution of those communities' city governments. Ketchikan is located on Revillagigedo Island, so named in 1793 by Captain George Vancouver.

Ketchikan is named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town, emptying into the Tongass Narrows a short distance southeast of its downtown. "Ketchikan" comes from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin, the meaning of which is unclear. It may mean "the river belonging to Kitschk"; other accounts claim it means "Thundering Wings of an Eagle".[12] In modern Tlingit this name is rendered as Kichx̱áan.[13] Ketchikan Creek served as a summer fish camp for Tlingit natives for untold years before the town was established by Mike Martin in 1885. The area near the mouth of Ketchikan Creek later earned Ketchikan a measure of infamy during the first half of the 20th century for a red-light district known as Creek Street, with brothels aligned on either side of the creek. According to the U.S. Postal Service, one of Ketchikan's two zip codes, 99950, is the highest-numbered in the United States.[14]

Ketchikan's economy is based upon government services, tourism and commercial fishing. Civic boosters have dubbed the community the "Salmon Capital of the World."[15] The Misty Fiords National Monument is one of the area's major attractions, and the Tongass National Forest has long been headquartered in Ketchikan, mostly in the city's historic Federal Building. For most of the latter half of the 20th century, a large portion of Ketchikan's economy and life centered on the Ketchikan Pulp Company pulp mill in nearby Ward Cove. The mill closed in 1997 in the wake of the passage of the Tongass Timber Reform Act of 1990, which reduced timber harvest targets in the national forest.[16]

Ketchikan has the world's largest collection of standing totem poles, found throughout the city and at four major locations: Saxman Totem Park, Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, and the Totem Heritage Center. Most of the totems at Saxman Totem Park and Totem Bight State Park are recarvings of older poles, a practice that began during the Roosevelt Administration through the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Totem Heritage Center displays preserved 19th-century poles rescued from abandoned village sites near Ketchikan.

 

 

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