Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Huntington Park California

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Huntington Park CA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember 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 should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Huntington Park CA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Huntington Park CA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending 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 solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Huntington Park CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before employing 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Huntington Park CA 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. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the California college is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Huntington Park CA schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to California? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Huntington Park CA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Huntington Park CA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Huntington Park CA phlebotomy program that you are looking at 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 indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the California colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Huntington Park CA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

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

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Huntington Park CA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess 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 general interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Course near Huntington Park CA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites 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 ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Huntington Park CA.

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