Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Carmichael California
Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Carmichael CA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.
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Phlebotomy Tech Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Carmichael CA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Carmichael CA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.
Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Carmichael CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomy Training
To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Carmichael CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the California college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Carmichael CA schools you are looking at before making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Carmichael CA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.
What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Carmichael CA local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Carmichael CA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internships Provided? Ask the California schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Carmichael CA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Carmichael CA healthcare community.
Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Carmichael CA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Carmichael CA
Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Carmichael CA.
Learn About Carmichael California
Carmichael, California
Carmichael is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sacramento County, California, United States. It is a suburb in the Greater Sacramento metropolitan area. The population was 61,762 at the 2010 census.
Carmichael is located at 38°38′22″N 121°19′17″W / 38.63944°N 121.32139°W / 38.63944; -121.32139 (38.639431, -121.321348).[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.8 square miles (36 km2), of which, 13.5 square miles (35 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) of it (1.92%) is water.
Daniel W. Carmichael (born 1867) came to California in 1885.[4] In 1909, he developed Carmichael Colony No. I, 2,000 acres (8 km2) of what was once part of the Rancho San Juan Mexican land grant. Carmichael later bought another 1,000 acres (4 km2) previously part of the Rancho Del Paso Mexican land grant, that he called Carmichael Colony No. 2. It bordered the first colony to the east and Walnut Avenue to the west; the southern boundary was Arden Way with Sutter Avenue to the north.
The 2010 United States Census[6] reported that Carmichael had a population of 61,762. The population density was 4,477.8 people per square mile (1,728.9/km²). The racial makeup of Carmichael was 49,776 (80.6%) White, 3,972 (5.8%) African American, 546 (0.9%) Native American, 2,653 (4.3%) Asian (0.9% Filipino, 0.9% Chinese, 0.6% Korean, 0.5% Japanese, 0.5% Indian, 0.3% Vietnamese, 0.6% Other), 287 (0.5%) Pacific Islander, 2,035 (3.3%) from other races, and 3,493 (5.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7,218 persons (11.7%).
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