Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Deer Park California
Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Deer Park CA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.
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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Deer Park CA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Deer Park CA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw 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 drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Deer Park CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the main 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, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomy Schools
First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Deer Park CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program 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 receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the California school is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Deer Park CA programs you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and preps 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Deer Park CA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Deer Park CA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Ample Training Included? First, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Deer Park CA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the California schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Deer Park CA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Deer Park CA health care community.
Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Deer Park CA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And 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 in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.
Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Deer Park CA
Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research 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 choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Deer Park CA.
Learn About Deer Park California
Deer Park, California
Deer Park is a census-designated place (CDP)[2] in Napa County, California, United States. The population was 1,267 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Napa, California Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its area code is 707. Its zip code is 94576. It is in the Pacific time zone. Perhaps its best-known attraction is Elmshaven, a large Victorian home lived in by Ellen White in the early twentieth century.
Deer Park is located at 38°32′14″N 122°28′21″W / 38.53722°N 122.47250°W / 38.53722; -122.47250Coordinates: 38°32′14″N 122°28′21″W / 38.53722°N 122.47250°W / 38.53722; -122.47250 (38.537257, -122.472386).[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.6 square miles (15 km2), 99.93% of it land and 0.07% of it water.
The 2010 United States Census[5] reported that Deer Park had a population of 1,267. The population density was 227.0 people per square mile (87.6/km²). The racial makeup of Deer Park was 1,108 (87.5%) White, 13 (1.0%) African American, 9 (0.7%) Native American, 51 (4.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 61 (4.8%) from other races, and 25 (2.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 147 persons (11.6%).
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