Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Lompoc California

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near Lompoc CA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools 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 including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed 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 may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Lompoc CA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Lompoc CA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Lompoc CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lompoc 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-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Lompoc CA programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Lompoc CA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Lompoc CA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lompoc CA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the California colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lompoc CA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lompoc CA healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lompoc CA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even 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 as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must ready some strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Lompoc CA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lompoc CA.

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