Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Lebec California
Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Lebec CA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.
Phlebotomy Technician Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Lebec CA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Lebec CA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing 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 setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing
There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Lebec CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education along 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomy Online Training
To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lebec 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. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist 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 chosen the type 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 college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Lebec CA schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to California? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.
Is the School 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 a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Lebec 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 School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. 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 research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Lebec CA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Lebec CA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the California schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Lebec CA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job 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 most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Lebec CA healthcare community.
Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Lebec CA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Lebec CA
Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lebec CA.
Learn About Lebec California
Lebec, California
Lebec is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in southwestern Kern County, California.
It is one of the Mountain Communities of the Tejon Pass, in the northeastern San Emigdio Mountains. Lebec is 40 miles (64 km) south of Bakersfield.[2]
According to the United States Census Bureau, Lebec has an area of 15.3 square miles (40 km2). The community, which is near Tejon Pass, lies at an elevation of 3,481 feet (1,061 m).[3]
Interstate 5 is the only highway passing through the community. Local traffic drives on Lebec Road, Peace Valley Road, Frazier Mountain Park Road and adjoining streets.
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