Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Baldwin Park California

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Baldwin Park CA is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far 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 must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Baldwin Park CA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Baldwin Park CA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Baldwin Park CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Baldwin Park CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the California campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Baldwin Park CA schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to California? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Baldwin Park CA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Baldwin Park CA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Baldwin Park CA 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 signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the California schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Baldwin Park CA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Baldwin Park CA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Baldwin Park CA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist College near Baldwin Park CA

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Baldwin Park CA.

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